Ta Ann’s Southwood veneer mill faces uncertain future

The owners of the fire-damaged Ta Ann veneer mill are yet to make a decision on whether it will be rebuilt, the company’s Tasmania executive director says.

The damaged chip and fuel storage at the Ta Ann mill. Pictures: SUPPLIED

THE future of the Ta Ann veneer mill at Southwood won’t be known until its wood supply is assured, power and road infrastructure repaired and damage to the plant made good, the company’s Tasmania executive director Evan Rolley said on Wednesday.

Mr Rolley said the mill, which employees 42 people in the Huon Valley, was badly affected by the fires which swept through the area in recent weeks.

“The site is still deemed a fire risk by the Tasmania Fire Service,” he said. “They are still pumping water onto the chip and sawmill heaps. Smoke is still billowing around on the site.”

Mr Rolley said it was not yet clear whether the mill would reopen.

“The owners certainly haven’t made a decision yet on a rebuild,” he said. “It looks like it is many months before you can even get it in part-way operation, even if you can get a suitable wood supply.”

TA ANN REVEALS EXTENT OF MILL DAMAGE

Smokes still surrounds the damaged Ta Ann mill in the Huon Valley.

Mr Rolley said the mill faced three critical issues: the damage to plant caused by the bushfires, damage to infrastructure such as road and powerlines, and the supply of wood.

But he stressed the company was not looking for a handout.

“We’re not looking for Government assistance,” he said.

“The fact is that the power is supplied by TasNetworks and Aurora, which are Government-operated business,” he said.

“We’re not asking for the Government to subsidise the operation of the mill, we’re saying there is significant infrastructure that will have to be replaced or repaired or alternatives developed.

“It is going to be a long haul.”

He said the company was talking to its workforce about their futures until the mill was able to reopen.