Timberlink announced as new partner at Investor Symposium

The Precinct has confirmed Timberlink Australia as a new industry partner, strengthening the foundations for a world-scale advanced timber manufacturing development in the Green Triangle.

The announcement was made at today's Investor Symposium in Melbourne, which attracted more than 120 representatives from the investment, government, forestry, manufacturing and construction sectors.

The event featured an internationally recognised line-up of speakers, including New Forests founder and plantation investment leader Dr David Brand, Raute engineered wood products specialist Roumiana Vassileva, and Professor Dan Hill, Director of the Melbourne School of Design at the University of Melbourne, who explored global investment trends, emerging manufacturing technologies and growing demand for engineered wood products and prefabricated construction solutions.

Tim Woods, who has led The Precinct project since its inception, will spearhead the next phase of development as the initial CEO, with Timberlink joining existing partners Australian Bluegum Plantations (ABP) and OneFortyOne, working alongside the global engineered wood products technical leader, Raute from Finland and local hardwood GLT manufacturing specialist, WTIBeam.

The Precinct Chair Russ Hughes said the announcements marked a significant milestone in advancing the vision for a nationally significant manufacturing hub.

"We are bringing together Australia's leading forestry and manufacturing businesses to unlock new opportunities for investment, innovation and value-added timber production," Mr Hughes said.

"Tim's leadership has been instrumental in shaping and driving this vision over the past six years linking the key parties to realise this industry transformation. He will continue to drive the development.

“Timberlink's involvement adds significant manufacturing expertise to the partners and reinforces industry confidence in the opportunity. We are committed to developing The Precinct as a major sovereign manufacturing facility, delivering building products Australia can rely on."

Victorian Minister for Agriculture the Hon Michaela Settle MP welcomed the event.

"The Precinct is an exciting opportunity to create more value from Victorian-grown timber, attract new investment into our regions and support innovative building solutions that can help meet Victoria's future housing needs,” Minister Settle said.

"Initiatives like this have the potential to create skilled regional jobs, strengthen local supply chains and support the development of advanced timber products for the future."

Mr Hughes said the staged development, planned for Portland, will initially focus on hardwood processing and Glue-Laminated Timber (GLT) manufacturing, with future opportunities for Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) production and advanced component fabrication.

"This is about moving beyond traditional timber processing to establish a globally competitive manufacturing ecosystem, connecting our plantation resources with Australia's growing demand for sustainable building products and housing," Mr Hughes said.

"With a strong resource base, established infrastructure and committed industry partners, the Green Triangle is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation."

Timberlink Australia CEO Paul O'Keefe praised the industry collaboration and commitment to optimising the use of the plantation resource to explore new manufacturing opportunities.

"The Precinct represents an exciting opportunity to build on the Green Triangle's existing manufacturing strengths and explore new pathways for high-value timber products and construction solutions, responding to Australia’s growing demand for mass timber construction and pre-fabricated building solutions," Mr O'Keefe said.

The Precinct's initial manufacturing phase, incorporating a GLT production line, sawmill and log yard, represents a proposed investment exceeding $200 million, with the potential to create around 70 permanent operational jobs and significant additional construction employment. 

Mr Woods said the focus was now on completing feasibilities, progressing commercial partnerships, investment opportunities and detailed development planning.

"The Precinct presents a compelling opportunity to strengthen Australia's sovereign manufacturing capability, create skilled regional jobs in south-west Victoria and establish new markets for our plantation resources, whilst meeting Australia’s growing construction needs," Mr Woods said.

"We look forward to working closely with our industry partners, the local community, First Nations leaders and unions as we progress this significant development."

To learn more from the Investor Symposium visit www.theprecinctportland.com.au/development

Pic: The Precinct chair Russ Hughes, Victorian Government representative Deb Hall, The Precinct CEO Tim Woods and Timberlink Australia CEO Paul O'Keefe at the Investor Symposium at the Sofitel in Melbourne.