Timber Towns Victoria (TTV) has visited the Wellington Shire Council region for a three-day members forum incorporating their annual general meeting and tours through several businesses featuring timber processing, innovation, and economic development.
As an active member of TTV, the Wellington Shire Council’s timber activities are one of the major economic drivers for the region and at the heart of these businesses that are a part of the industry are many service industries that also support the sector – including Australia’s largest hardwood manufacturer and largest softwood sawmilling business, used in house framing and structural applications.
TTV president Cr Karen Stephens highlighted the importance these forums and tours are for the members and the communities visited.
“It is vital for our members and the regions that we continue to visit and support these areas as the positive impact the timber industry has in Victoria can be seen and shared,” she said.
The full-day tour started from Sale, to Heyfield through to Yarram via a plantation harvesting prior to returning to Sale in the late afternoon and consisted of visits to several businesses including:
– Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) processing plant – one of Australia’s largest hardwood sawmillers and Australia’s largest solid wood product manufacturer.
– HVP Plantations – annually supplies some three million tonnes of softwood (pine) and 300,000 tonnes of hardwood (eucalypt) to sawmillers, panel producers and pulp and paper mills in Australia and overseas.
– Radial Timbers – grows, mills and distributes a range of unique and standard products from durable and sustainable Victorian Hardwood specialising in timber decking, screenboards, external cladding, internal lining and natural edge weatherboards.
– Alberton Timber – are experts in treated pine poles, construction timbers and other timber products through to fence pickets, farm gates, wire and hardware.
– Associated Kiln Driers Pty Ltd (AKD) – Australia’s largest softwood sawmilling business specialising in structural quality timber used for construction.
“These businesses are all thinking ahead, embracing innovation, and finding new market opportunities while working together. It’s truly fascinating—just like timber—and we applaud their efforts and support this kind of collaboration.”
