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Applications are open for the second round of the Tasmanian Government’s On-Island Processing Program to support more local value-adding for our wood and timber industry. Source: Timberbiz Round 2 will focus on Tasmania’s hardwood plantation timber, while also continuing to provide funding support for other types of timber, providing a total of $8.5 million of grant funding, with up to $2 million available per project. Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said Tasmania’s increasing supply of plantation hardwood provided a major opportunity to grow the value of the wood and timber products sector. “Following the success of round 1 and given the importance of sustainable forestry to our economy, regional communities and local jobs, we have made an extra $5 million available through the program, taking the total round 2 funding to $8.5 million,” Mr Abetz said. “Processing locally grown timber right here in Tasmania not only value-adds but also creates jobs and opportunity, particularly in regional Tasmania.” Grants will be made available to eligible timber processors to implement processing projects with demonstrated feasibility, a strong business case and demonstrated value-adding to the resource. The new resource offers the opportunity to develop quality products such as: sawn timber, veneer, engineered wood products or new high value timber products. With Sustainable Timber Tasmania estimating around 125,000 cubic metres of pruned and unpruned millable plantation hardwood logs will be available per year over 10 years, round 2 of the On-Island Processing Program will encourage more local investment on plant and systems to increase the value of our wood, wood fibre and timber products. The On-Island Processing Program supports businesses looking to invest in equipment and process improvements aimed at capitalising on the strong ongoing demand for high-value products such as architectural and décor grade veneers, load bearing timbers, engineered wood products and quality timber furniture. In total, the Tasmanian Government has committed a total of $15 million to the On-Island Processing Program to grow the Tasmanian forestry sector’s on‑island processing capabilities. The first round of the Program was launched in 2021 with funding committed to seven projects. Applications are now open and will close on Thursday 31 July 2025 and should be submitted using the online SmartyGrants system

This week is Australian Made Week, and the Australian Forest Products Association is calling on consumers to buy Aussie made timber and wood-fibre products and support a sector that underpins local manufacturing, regional jobs, our local environment, and helps fight climate change. Source: Timberbiz “Around 180,000 Australians are either directly or indirectly employed by the supply chain of Australia’s forestry and forest products sector, with many of those jobs located in regional centres and rural Australia, keeping these places alive,” Chief Executive Officer of AFPA Diana Hallam said. “When consumers focus more on buying the locally made and manufactured, essential products we create, that means a stronger supply chain, a stronger sector and stronger communities. “We often find that consumers are very surprised just how many items essential for everyday life are made by our sector. Consider timber house-frames and furnishings like flooring and decking, cardboard packaging and tissue products, timber and particleboard furniture and shelving as well as magazine and news-print paper. There are so many examples. “When Australians buy Australian Made items, produced from Aussie grown and manufactured timber and wood-fibre, they’re supporting a great manufacturing industry, local jobs whether they’re in the forest, timber mill or in transport and logistics. Our sector also operates to world leading environmental standards, meaning consumers can have peace of mind that buying Australian means buying sustainable and supporting an industry that fights climate change. “Remember to look for the iconic green and gold kangaroo logo to be sure you’re buying Australian Made. You can be sure it’s a sign of quality and support for so much more than just one product. It’s support for towns, families, communities, the economy and environment. When Australians buy Australian – we all win.” New research from Roy Morgan reveals 73% of Australians would be willing to buy more Australian-made products to avoid reliance on imports, with seven in 10 (72%) willing to pay more for locally made goods. Australian Made Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro said recent global economic uncertainty and challenging market conditions have highlighted the importance of supporting Australia’s manufacturers and producers. “While global supply chains are shifting, this is a moment of opportunity for Australian brands to claim new space in both domestic and international markets – by leaning into what they do best – high quality production, sustainability, authenticity, and community values. One of the best ways to do that is through country-of-origin branding,” Mr Lazzaro said. The trusted Australian Made logo bearing the iconic green and gold kangaroo is one of the most recognised logos in Australia. It is used by around 4,500 businesses to promote their home-grown status. These businesses represent approximately 40,000 jobs and generate a combined annual revenue of around $8 billion. Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus OAM was named ambassador of Australian Made Week spotlighting products bearing the iconic Australian Made green and gold kangaroo logo.

Bombala’s timber mill has been sold to an NSW regional company that has promised uninterrupted operations and continuity for customers and employees. Source: Monaro Post The mill, which was purchased as a much smaller operation and expanded over 17 years by Korean company Dongwha Australia, is now owned by the Borg Group, a specialist timber and panel business based on the Central Coast. The sale was confirmed Monday by Borg Group CEO, Jim Snelson. The mill will trade under the name of Porta. Bombala based Snowy Monaro Regional Councillor, Bob Stewart, has welcomed the news of the sale and Borg’s commitment to the facility, which he said is a ‘major player’ for the town. “With 130 jobs alone at the mill and no government jobs to speak of anymore, Bombala relies big time on it and if it can get developed further, that would be great,” Cr Stewart said. “I will try to organise for the new owners to meet with council and I hope the council will support them in the future.” Cr Stewart also thanked the Dongwha company for its investment into Bombala, particularly for its role in supporting community organisations; from the local races, where it sponsored the main race in 2025, to the inaugural Australian National Busking Championships Bombala regional heat to various sports and community groups. Although the sale amount has not been disclosed, Marketscreener reported online that an undisclosed buyer agreed to acquire Dongwha Australia Holdings Pty Ltd from Dongwha Enterprise Co Ltd for 88.9 billion Korean (around $99 million Australian) on February 17, 2025. The sale to the Borg Group took effect from May 1. The decision was made public after months of speculation within the local community, which relies heavily on the mill for employment and purchase of local timber. Mr Snelson said The Borg Group was pleased to announce the acquisition and re-assured employees and customers that operations would continue without interruption. “Porta is committed to building on Dongwha’s strong legacy in Australia by maintaining product quality, delivering exceptional customer service, and fostering a safe working environment,” he said. “For over 17 years, the Bombala sawmill has been a trusted producer of high-value timber products, including decking, structural framing timber, and fencing. “This acquisition marks an important step in Borg’s continued expansion in the timber industry.” Mr Snelson said Porta was widely respected for its high-quality products, innovative solutions, flexible customer approach, and expert team. “The integration of Dongwha further strengthens Porta’s capabilities and supports its growth strategy,” he said. Dongwha Australia was founded in 2011 in Australia as Dongwha’s directly managed overseas production base through the acquisition of Willmott Timbers. Dongwha Australia’s core business area is lumbering. Its Bombala sawmill was built on government subsidies to boost its role in improving the regional economy. Last year, Dongwha Australia welcomed a NSW Government Forestry Industry Action Plan designed to outline the path the state would take to ensure a sustainable timber industry that aligned with the government’s key environmental priorities. Dongwha Australia team leader, Neville McInnes, told The Monaro Media Group that although the company had not yet been contacted by the new advisory panel, it was pleased the government had committed to the industry and had three key areas it wished to discuss. “They are a commitment to keeping roads open to guarantee the transport of timber between plantations and the mill; a commitment to the continued supply of softwood and a commitment to not losing what supply was already available. “We welcome the plan, absolutely,” Mr McInnes said. “We have 130 direct employees and are always looking for more workers. For every one direct job, three come off it, that’s 450 jobs feeding off the mill, without secondary jobs, so we estimate 750 jobs come out of the Dongwha site.”