Figures from 1995
Industry: Hardwood Timber Industry
Gross value of production |
$18.5m |
Number of growers |
7 mills |
Number employed |
180 |
Seasonal Employment |
60 |
Current annual production |
84,000 m3 |
Projected 5 year annual production |
84,000 m3 |
1. Description of Product:
Hardwood timber sourced primarily from public land.
2. Location of the Industry:
Timber is sourced from public land in the North East Region, under licence from DCNR. Major sawmills are located at Whitlands, Benalla, Mt Beauty, Corryong (2 mills), Yackandandah and Mansfield.
3. Employment and Labour Requirements
a. Number of Producers
6-10 mills. All but one source from public land.
b. Number Regularly Employed
Approximately 180 people are employed full time in the sawmill industry.
c. Harvest Requirements
Up to 50 workers are required as summer contractors to harvest timber.
4. Annual Production :
Production of hardwood log timber is estimated by DCNR to be 84,000m3. The yield of timber after saw milling is approximately 40% and consequently 33,600 tonnes of processed hardwood timber is produced.
5. Value of Product:
Hardwood timber products are valued at between $500-600 per m3 on average, given a range of products produced. Therefore, the value of processed hardwood timber is $18.5m.
6. Production Trends Over the Next Five Years:
a. Projected:
There is no opportunity for the timber industry to expand from timber grown on public land. In the short term (5 years) there will be no increase in hardwood production.
b. Potential
1. The demand for timber and timber products will only increase as population increases.
2. The North East Region of Victoria is particularly suited to growing trees. Climatic factors, suitable soils, proximity to processors access to markets are all factors for growth in this industry.
Extracted from the Bright Report
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