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Boost: Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, Heyfield has received a $1.2-million state government grant to expand its plantation timber manufacturing operation. file photograph
Timber grant buoys ASH
By PHILIP HOPKINS
AUSTRALIAN Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) at Heyfield has received a $1.2-million state government grant to expand its plantation timber manufacturing operation. The funding will help build a new $2.4 million specialised MASSLAM (glue laminated timber) production line with timber sourced from plantation shining gum. MASSLAM is an engineered wood product made from hardwood that is helping to revolutionise the role of timber in construction. Regular timber boards are pressed together under high pressure to create large beams and columns that are as strong as steel. They have been used in numerous projects, including the new prestigious Government Hub that is being built in Bendigo. The grant will expand the specialised MASSLAM manufacturing plant and create 12 new full-time jobs and help retain the mill’s existing 172 roles. ASH’s managing director, Vince Hurley, said plantation shining gum was a key pillar in the future of MASSLAM production. “The investment will mean that ASH can continue to produce Australian-made, large-scale section columns and beams,” he said. The facility will also be able to manufacture more products from plantation timber in the future such as mass flooring systems, engineered floorboards, kitchen benchtops and components for staircases, windows, doors and furniture. ASH uses mainly Vic Ash timber, but supply is increasingly constrained because Supreme Court injunctions resulting from legal action by environmental groups have closed down about 80 per cent of timber harvesting coupes in Victoria. Sawmills in Gippsland are running out of timber, with the mill at Newmerella near Orbost in East Gippsland announcing last week that the situation would force it to close. The state opposition blames the timber shortage on the Andrews Government’s inaction on not updating the Timber Code of Practice, which would nullify the legal action. The Minister for Agriculture, Gayle Tierney, who visited the Heyfield mill to announce the grant, said the government was proud to support ASH, local jobs and the manufacture of world renowned timber products into the future. The mill previously received $1.6 million from the state government to install a new manufacturing line to produce engineered flooring from plantation shining gum and Australian pine plywood, and to expand both its online and retail outlet. The retail space has recently been completed, and customers can buy staircase and furniture components directly from ASH. The engineered floorboard line is expected to be up and running by the end of the year. The grants come from the Victorian Timber Innovation Fund, part of the Victorian Forestry Plan, which aims to close the state’s native forestry industry by 2030.
PRIMARY healthcare professionals across Gippsland will be honoured at the 2022 Gippsland Primary Health Awards with the theme of ‘Thank you’. Gippsland health professionals are at the forefront of caring for their regional community and the awards are an acknowledgement of their incredible work. Gippsland PHN chief executive, Amanda Proposch, said the extraordinary circumstances of the last few years continued to challenge the primary care sector with the workforce facing immense challenges every day. “We say ‘Thank you’ to each and every one of our healthcare workers,” Ms Proposch said. “Gippsland’s health practitioners and health services work incredibly hard to deliver healthcare to local communities. “They have shown they are agile and responsive to meet the constantly changing demands of providing care, which has been exacerbated by the ongoing presence of COVID-19 and the return of
the winter flu. The sector has also faced workforce shortages as staff have not been immune to these illnesses. “While ‘Thank you’ may not seem like enough, they are two words people often forget to say to those who are doing their best to care for us all.” The awards recognise primary healthcare organisations, teams or individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to improved outcomes for people in Gippsland. This year there will be four categories for excellence, all aligned with Gippsland PHN’s priority areas - Population, Health Issues, Prevention Issues and Service Issues. The winners each receive a $2000 voucher to use on training and education or a wellbeing team development activity within the winner’s organisation. Nominations close on Friday, September 30 2022 and winners will be announced at the annual general meeting and awards event Nominate now at https://gphn.org.au/awards/
