The last log truck carrying salvaged, burnt logs from the 2019/20 bushfires was waved into the Hyne Tumbarumba Mill today.

The unprecedented, 15 months of salvage harvesting has seen over 1.6 million burnt plantation pine logs processed at the Hyne Mill alone.

The burnt bark is removed, and the logs are processed into quality, sawn timber.

75.5 million linear metres of timber has been processed from salvaged logs which would almost wrap around the world twice.

Hyne Timber’s CEO, Jon Kleinschmidt said this last log truck marks the end of a historic event of collaboration and incredibly hard work,

“To still be accepting burnt log 15 months after the fires has completely exceeded industry expectations of 3 to 6 months.

“We have been able to maintain the Mills capacity and supply of locally grown timber throughout the high demand we have experienced for which we thank the Morrison Government’s Home Builder stimulus.

“The efforts of all involved from the growers, the harvesting crews, the haulers, the staff here at the Tumbarumba Mill and our by-product customers has been remarkable and deserves to be celebrated.

“I know for our team here on site, it has been hard, coupled with the uncertainty of the future.

“Not only do we celebrate this unprecedented achievement, but we have been able to work with suppliers to source some logs from further afield, securing jobs here on site which is welcome news for our team and the community of Tumbarumba.

“Further, we currently have several job vacancies and encourage people to consider joining our resilient business, industry and commitment to the supply of quality, Aussie timber for our construction sector.

“I thank all those who have worked collaboratively with us to reach this milestone and with ongoing support, the positive future ahead.” Mr Kleinschmidt said.

A number of the growers were represented at the Tumbarumba Mill to mark the occasion and enjoy a site BBQ with employees.

Dean Anderson, Regional Manager of Forestry Corporation of NSW said it was good to see that, despite the devastation of the bushfires, much of the damaged pine plantation could be salvaged,

“Coming to the Hyne Mill to see the last of our burnt loads being unloaded for processing 15 months after the fire is incredible.

“Just the Dunn’s Road fire was one and half times the ACT, covering an area of 3,500 square kilometres).

“Over 45,000 hectares of pine plantations were impacted by fires in the local area, which is just under 40 per cent of the area planted.  More than half of the area affected by fire was too young to salvage and our focus has been on getting all the trees older than 19 years old and as much as possible of those older than 12.

“Thanks to the significant cooperation of our customers and contractors we have managed to just about achieve this, except for a few steep areas, salvaging over 2.7 million tonnes in the Tumut and Tumbarumba region. 

“This makes this operation one of the longest and the largest salvage operations in history, a testament to the resilience of the local forest industry.

“Well done to all involved”, Mr Anderson said.

Hyne Timber has secured approximately $6M in State and Federal Government support to invest in, and optimise, the Tumbarumba site. These grants will help to offset some of the higher costs of manufacturing due to a reduced log volume and greater freight costs from further afield.