South East Pine Sales has installed a new biomass boiler at its Wandilo facility, which will generate steam for their timber drying kilns and increase the efficiency of drying timber.

SE Pine Sales received an $88,000 grant issued by PIRSA towards the project, as part of the $12m State Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

The boiler will speed up the previous process and increase their timber drying capacities, which which will enable them to move timber through the business as quickly as possible.

SE Pine Sales Business Development Manager John Forster said the boiler will increase revenue into the business, Mount Gambier and South Australia, making it beneficial for the economy.

Mr Forster said the new machinery was good for both the business and the region.

“It makes our business stronger,” he said.

“It’s good for us, it’s good for our employees.

“We spent about half a million dollars on it getting it up and going.”

Mr Forster said the government grant generated approximately $1.5m of investment as the grant allowed them to install another timber drying kiln, at a cost of an additional $1m.

“It’s a good result for the government and it just shows that we’re putting a lot of money into the local economy,” Mr Forster said.

“We make profits and they get retained here, they get invested here.”

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said it was “really pleasing” to see the work that had been done at SE Pine Sales following the State Government grant towards the project.

“I think it’s really important that we’re supporting businesses like this working in the regions,” Minister Basham said.

“It’s very good to make sure they can invest in their businesses and we can invest with them to make sure we have got job opportunities and are able to take advantage of the timber opportunities here in the South East.”

Liberal Candidate for Mount Gambier Ben Hood said it was great to see the State Government investing money into the industry locally.

“It is great to see SE Pine being able to have this $88,000 to ensure they can upgrade their steam generation, so they can move it from manual to automated, so they can capitalise on those efficiencies,” Mr Hood said.

“And the more efficient you get, the more money you can make.

“John and the whole Forster family have been great leaders in the timber industry, employing some 38 people in our community.

“I’m really glad to be a part of the Liberal Marshall team that is continuing to invest in our industries right here in the Limestone Coast and in Mount Gambier.”