Tumbarumba sawmill’s new facility paves way for bushfire recovery and future growth

Standing at roughly two-thirds the size of the Tumba Greens Rugby League Football Club field, Hyne Timber has officially opened its new storage facility at the Tumbarumba sawmill, marking a significant investment in regional resilience and operational efficiency.

The ribbon-cutting event for the 4700-sqm structure brought together federal and local leaders, including Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and Snowy Valleys mayor Julia Ham to celebrate.

The complex provides storage for up to 4000 cubic meters of timber – known in the process as rough sawn, kiln dried (RSKD) timber – shielding it from weather damage.

The project injected over $5 million into the regional economy and created 30 jobs, providing a welcome boost to local businesses.

The initiative comes at a pivotal time, as Hyne Timber, and the town, continues to recover from the devastating 2019/20 bushfires that impacted the region’s timber supply chain, with around 40 per cent of the long-term log supply in local plantations destroyed.

Jim Bindon, CEO of the Hyne Group, addressed the gathering, congratulating those involved on the successful milestone.

He commended the collaboration and effort that brought the project to fruition.

“Many team members and contractors have been involved in the delivery of this storage facility including local companies, Albury’s Joss Constructions and Wagga Fire,” he said.

“This facility is a critical asset to protect our products from adverse weather exposure to extract the maximum value from our pine log feedstock since the bushfires.”

Mr Bindon said operational efficiency at the Tumbarumba Sawmill had never been more important in the wake of the bushfires and he extended his thanks to the Federal and State governments for their support with bushfire recovery funding.

“This contributed towards the delivery costs and made our investment viable,” he said.

Mr Bindon also expressed gratitude to the Snowy Valleys Council for fast-tracking development approvals and to the Tumbarumba community for their ongoing support.

“This project exemplifies what can be achieved with strong partnerships,” Mr Bindon said.

Nobody has been more aware of the difficulties Hyne Timber has faced since the fires than Michael McCormack, whose numerous visits to the site over the past five years served as a stark reminder of just what has been required to keep the mill operational.

He later said the remarkable investment in the new storage facility was delivered, in part, through funding from the former Coalition government under the Forestry Recovery Development Fund.

Mr McCormack said not only was he delighted to be at the opening but was eager to see the benefits the increased productivity of the facility would deliver.

Also offering congratulations was the State Government’s Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW, and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, who emphasised the facility’s importance to the region’s timber industry and economy.

“The increased storage capacity ensures Hyne Timber can maintain its supply to the construction sector while supporting local jobs,” she said.

Eden Monaro MP Kristy McBain, also Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, also shared a message of support highlighting the facility’s significance.

“This project is a testament to Hyne’s dedication and the benefits of government and community collaboration,” she stated.