The Alberton Timber and Treatment Plant is nearing the end of a two-year $1.25 million dollar expansion to install a post peeling facility to increase efficiency and create local jobs.
The new post peeling facility, built at the plant on the South Gippsland Highway in Alberton, is expected to be operational in September.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the project was boosted with a $550,000 grant from the Federal Government.
“This is an important investment for this region. It’s created around 20 construction jobs, three on-going positions and a fourth on-going job when the plant is commissioned,” Mr Chester said.
“Alberton Timber has been producing treated pine products for nearly 30 years. This upgrade will allow it to double current production, produce a larger range and volume of pine post products, and to supply new markets beyond Gippsland.”
The family-owned business supplies pine poles, construction timbers and other timber products, such as fence pickets and farm gates.
The business is owned and operated by Luke and Angela Olarenshaw in partnership with Luke’s parents, John and Judy.
Luke and Angela said construction of the new facility had taken longer than anticipated.
“But that’s always the case in a job as big as this one,” Luke said.
“The upgraded mill will provide us with scope to source new markets from outside of the region, and also maintain and increase the existing volumes supplied to our customer base in Gippsland.”
