Hosted by Jon Kleinschmidt, Chief Executive Officer of Hyne, and Chris Skeels-Piggins, manufacturing manager of Hyne, the Minister used the time to learn about Australia’s largest, privately owned timber manufacturing company and its contribution to the timber products industry.

The Tuan Mill, located just outside of Maryborough, is one of Australia’s largest, contemporary sawmilling operations, processing over 750,000 m3 of plantation softwood each year.

Minister Donaldson said the tour was a valuable insight into the timber manufacturing industry.

“Queensland’s timber products industry indirectly employs almost 30,000 people, predominantly in regional and remote areas, and Hyne Timber is an important part of it,” Minister Donaldson said.

The Minister said she was fascinated to learn that the Tuan Mill produced enough timber every day to stretch from her electorate office in Bundaberg to Parliament House in Brisbane.

“The tour gave me a chance to see the scale of the operation and it was very useful to be able to discuss the timber products industry and the broader issues it faces.

“I will continue to work to promote competitive growth and job opportunities in Queensland’s food and fibre industries,” Minister Donaldson concluded.

The Federal Government aims to reduce Australia’s carbon emissions by 2030. An additional 30,000 ha of plantation pine per-year would not only assist with the future of the Australian timber manufacturing industry’s employment numbers, but it would capture an additional five million tonne of carbon per

annum; this is more than five per cent of the Federal Government’s goal.

CEO Jon Kleinschmidt said that the Minister’s visit was appreciated not only by Hyne Timber, but also the broader timber products industry.

“Showcasing a family owned business which has survived and thrived since 1882 is always a pleasure, but gaining the genuine interest of our elected Members of Parliament is reassuring.

“It is no secret that there are issues we face into the future and the time to act is now,” Mr Kleinschmidt concluded.