Huon Valley counts the cost as 16 workers laid off from Ta Ann mill after devastating bushfire

A southern Tasmanian veneer mill has laid off 16 permanent workers as it continues to assess the damage left behind in the wake of the Huon Valley bushfire crisis.

TA Ann has laid off 16 permanent workers from its Southwood veneer mill at Lonnavale as it continues to assess the damage left behind in the wake of the Huon Valley bushfire crisis.

Ta Ann Tasmania general manager Robert Yong has described the job losses as “very unfortunate” but said the company was working with groups including the CFMEU and labour hire companies to try to find alternative work or training for its former employees.

“It may be eight months to a year or longer before the plant can reopen and we cannot provide alternative work during that period nor expect employees to be stood down without pay with no guarantee of a job for such a length of time,” Mr Yong said.

Ta Ann’s Southwood veneer mill after the bushfire. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

The redundancies will be effective from Monday but 11 of those out of work have reportedly already found new jobs. Ten other permanent Ta Ann employees have been allocated work at the company’s Smithton mill and the Huon site.

The chip and fuel storage for the boiler at the Ta Ann mill on Southwood Road was badly damaged during the bushfires. SUPPLIED

The Ta Ann board met last week to discuss future operations but the decision was delayed because there was not enough information to form a “solid future plan”.

“Everyone is working as hard and as quickly as they can,” Mr Yong said.

“The board can only resolve the future of its operations after the full effects of the Huon wildfire on both the longer term log supply and the Huon Veneer mill plant damage and resultant insurance claim outcomes are known.”