It will be ‘many weeks’ before the future of Ta Ann’s Huon Valley veneer mill will be known

It will be “many weeks” before Ta Ann Tasmania is able to decide the future of its Huon Valley veneer mill at Southwood that was damaged by fire, the company says.

IT will be “many weeks” before Ta Ann Tasmania is able to decide the future of its Huon Valley veneer mill at Lonnavale that was damaged by fire, the company says.

The mill was badly hit by the Riveaux Rd bushfire that swept through the area in recent weeks.

Bushfire damage at the Ta Ann mill in the Huon Valley. Picture: SUPPLIED

A Ta Ann spokesman yesterday said the mill site was last week clear of firefighting works.

“Assessments and works to make the site safe will be underway in the next weeks,” the spokesman said.

“Advice on infrastructure, future long-term wood supply, mill insurance and timing are still to be advised.”

He said experts from overseas would assess technical equipment at the mill.

“No decisions on the Huon Veneer Mill’s future can be made until all his information is available, which will take many weeks,” the spokesman said.

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“Employees have been paid to date despite there being no work on the mill site for the past month.”

Ta Ann will meet employees this week to discuss options including training and redeployment and the spokesman said the company was working closely with State Government agencies to provide support to workers.

“Casual workers are supported through the same redeployment options with their contract service companies,” he said.

This recent aerial shot of Ta Ann’s Southwood veneer mill shows the extent of the devastation. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

The Geeveston Community Centre’s Jay Boyle said Ta Ann workers, particularly casual workers, were concerned about their future.

The mill directly employs 42 people in the Huon Valley.

Smoke rising from Ta Ann’s Southwood veneer mill after the Riveaux Rd bushfire swept through the site. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Earlier this month the company’s Tasmanian executive director Evan Rolley said the mill faced three critical issues: the damage to the plant caused by the bushfire; damage to infrastructure including road and powerlines; and the supply of wood.

Close-up look at bushfire damage

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He said the damage bill would be in the multi-millions.

“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,” he said at the time.

‘Everything is black and dead’

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