Grant District Council will go ahead with selling community land for carparking space for Timberlink employees, despite the majority of community consultation respondents voting against the proposal.

A total of five submissions were received, with four indicating they were not in favour of the Timberlink Tarpeena carpark proposal.

The matter was a topic of discussion at council’s August monthly meeting.

Council’s chief executive Darryl Whicker explained the revocation of community land happened originally from a community land review process.

“Council staff determined it to not be of significant strategic value on the basis that it’s not a reserve, a park or a playground, and it’s alongside a main arterial road,” Mr Whicker said.

A Community Land Review Project was commenced by council some years ago and in 2022 the previously presented project plan was endorsed and commenced.

Timberlink had since requested to purchase the area, with an initial application submitted to council within recent months.

Following the request, a community consultation period was held from July 19 to August 11.

Two responses were received via council’s Your Say online survey and three written responses via email.

“As we suspected, there was some concern over the trees primarily,” Mr Whicker said.

“We intend to work alongside the timber mill to ensure there is a greening plan as part of any sale.”

A concept drawing of a preliminary draft vegetation plan, also showing the proposed carparking spaces, was included in the letter from Timberlink Chief Sales Marketing and Corporate Affairs manager David Oliver.

Mr Whicker said council would work with Timberlink on the design.

“It would have to be up to council satisfaction,” he said.

A report on the matter, written by council’s Governance officer Brittany Shelton, was tabled in the council agenda.

A common theme between the four responses that were not in favour included removal of trees and the visual experience to Tarpeena when driving along the Riddoch Highway.

As part of the recommendation, Ms Shelton said all feedback should be considered.

The public submissions received by council will be forwarded to the Local Government Minister for consideration as part of the formal application.

Meanwhile, Ms Shelton reported trees have already been removed from the land parcel.

“Replanting of vegetative screening increases greening of the area, whilst also improving the visual experience from Riddoch Highway and minimising noise pollution,” she said.

Timberlink Australia have already advised council they intend to conduct their own consultation around what trees and vegetation the community would like to see replanted.

Ms Shelton said it was important to note this had been advised in their letter to council.

Councillor Bruce Bain moved the recommendation which was seconded by Cr Barry Kuhl.

The recommendation included Timberlink to incorporate appropriate landscaping and vegetation screening in their Development Application.

Meanwhile, Mr Oliver said investments by Timberlink to expand its timber production facility at Tarpeena has seen its team grow from 202 staff to 288.

“With the launch of our Cross Laminated Timber and Glue Laminated Timber products we expect the workforce to grow to 322 by the end of the year,” Mr Oliver said.

According to Mr Oliver, the parcels of land are rarely used by the public.

“Timberlink’s development of a staff carpark would have minimal negative impact on the community and will improve safety of staff and other road users,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Oliver said a third-party landscaping firm has been engaged to prepare a draft vegetation plan for the parcels of land.

“This plan includes the implementation of screening trees and shrubs to blend with the general landscaping style of Grant District Council,” he said.

“By using screening plants, the appearance of Timberlink’s manufacturing facility would be improved for road users, residents and other visitors to the Tarpeena area.”

Mr Oliver said the vegetation plan is still in progress, with the final version to be opened to community consultation.

“Timberlink intends to consult with the Tarpeena community once the plan is finalised to seek their input,” he said.

One of the submissions, by an anonymous resident, stated Tarpeena was a beautiful, peaceful place.

“There has been so much of the native life removed for the sake of this mill, why should there be anymore?” the resident said.

“This town was such a beautiful, peaceful place with all the trees and nature… why should more wildlife and nature take a hit for it (the mill)… I do not see a need for more nature to be destroyed.

“There is no need for more nature and wildlife to take a hit. Just leave it be.”

Another anonymous submission stated the development would look terrible and would be a hazard to road users.