Timberlink Tarpeena $5.4m expansion plans to build onsite treatment plant to growing mill

A major SA forestry player has revealed new plans to grow its “state-of-the-art” mill in a tiny South East town where $63m worth of construction is already underway.

A major South East employer has announced a $5.4m project to further expand its growing mill, boost jobs and cut down the need to transport timber off-site for treatment.

Timberlink has revealed plans to open an onsite Light Organic Solvent Preservative timber treatment plant in January, 2023 alongside a $63m project already underway in Tarpeena.

“The co-location of a NeXTimber Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) & Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) Plant on the same site makes this facility unique in Australia,” a spokesperson said.

According to the development plan submitted to PlanSA, the mill is reliant on off-site timber treatment.

“Timberlink does not currently treat timber on the Tarpeena site and therefore trucks collect the timber to be taken off-site for treatment, with some treated timber returning to the Tarpeena site,” the plans read.

“The proposed timber treatment facility will replace the off-site treatment with a facility constructed in the north-eastern corner of the site.”

The proposed for Timberlink's new treatment plant at their Tarpeena mill. Picture: Timberlink

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In February, works begun on Australia’s first combined Cross Laminated Timber and Glue Laminated Timber manufacturing plant at the site, which is expected to be completed in September 2023.

District Council of Grant Tarpeena ward councillor Shirley Little has previously praised the project.

“Timberlink has created great confidence in the community and supporting ongoing employment,” she previously said.

The tiny South East town is home to just 414 people according to the latest census data and the construction of both projects is expected to boost jobs.

Timberlink Tarpeena mill. Picture: Timberlink

The mill currently employees roughly 200 people and predicts to add 27 full time employees, with the “potential to increase to 50” jobs as the CLT and GLT plant “begins to reach capacity”.

An additional three full-time jobs are expected to be created on the completion of the new treatment plant.

“Timberlink expects as production increases, further jobs will be created,” a spokesperson said.

According to the plan the treatment plant would initially run on an one shift per day roster, but hoped to “operate 24 hours a day when increased demand is required”.

“The LOSP timber treatment plant is expected to process 25,000m³ of timber per year and is timber that is currently sawn onsite,” the plans reads.

According to the plans LOSP treatments are “less hazardous than other forms of timber treatment” with an air quality assessment carried out by independent assessor Jacobs.

The assessment concluded the expected works were safe with “majority of the hydrocarbons emitted — determined to be benign”.

Low odour LOSP was first developed at Timberlink Bell Bay, Tasmania in 2015 which the company says is “up to 30 times less odour than traditional LOSP formulations”.

“Timberlink has been working closely with the South Australian EPA to ensure the highest standards are achieved for this state-of-the-art treatment facility,” a spokesperson said.