News
13 March, 2024
Sawmill expansion finally completed
The Caboolture Sawmill Expansion Project has been completed, and will support an internationally competitive sawmilling business for the Sunshine Coast gateway region.
![Sawmill expansion finally completed - feature photo](https://somerset-4634.kxcdn.com/img/containers/assets/news/3-1710228651.jpg/92114a0847dfa299576d7e56ac78da3c.jpg)
Catherine King (Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister) and Anthony Chisholm (Assistant Minister for Regional Development) officially opened the project last Thursday.
As a result of the project, the site has doubled its production capacity and is currently processing 370,000m3 of locally-grown sawlog.
The upgrades also enabled sawmill operator Associated Kiln Driers Pty Ltd (AKD) to install the latest technology to improve the recovery of structural timber from the sawlog resource – making operations more efficient.
The expansion project also installed an acoustic barrier, which has improved the surrounding environment.
This has meant production was able to move to a two-shift operation.
The ability to run the two shift s has created more than 100 new and permanent skilled manufacturing jobs at AKD’s Queensland site.
This additional 100 jobs in Caboolture will support a further 763 jobs in the regional economy, according to REMPLAN modelling.
The $41 million project included a $10 million contribution from the Australian Government, with AKD providing the remaining $31 million.