WA Government offers $1million to bring Pinetec to Collie

21/01/03
State Development Minister Clive Brown has announced a State Government offer of $1million to assist Perth pine pallet manufacturer Pinetec Ltd to expand and create jobs in the Shire of Collie.
Speaking in Collie, Mr Brown said the Pinetec plant had the potential to create 40 new full-time jobs in the sustainable soft wood sector of the timber industry.
"The State Government understands that there have been job losses in the hard wood sector of the timber industry as a result of the decision to end the logging of the State's old growth forests," he said.
"This offer of assistance is part of the State Government's strategy to create new jobs and opportunities for South-West workers in the environmentally sustainable soft wood sector."
The Minister said the offer of financial assistance had been made conditional upon the company locating in the Shire of Collie and was also conditional upon the company receiving matching funding from the Commonwealth Government.
"It is my understanding that Pinetec has applied for Commonwealth funding under the Forest Industry Development Assistance Program for South-West Western Australia (FIDWA)," he said.
"The Commonwealth Government advertised FIDWA in October 2001 as a scheme to provide industry assistance to both the soft wood and the hard wood sectors of the timber industry.
"I have written to the Commonwealth Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, and urged him to advance Pinetec's application for funding.
"While the Commonwealth and the State Government may have some differences on whether the State should permit the logging of our old growth forests, I am hopeful that Senator Macdonald will be as enthusiastic as I am to encourage sustainable operations like Pinetec.
"The proposal will draw upon a renewable soft wood resource and provide jobs and opportunities for South-West workers and their children, now and well into the future."
Collie MLA Mick Murray said he would continue to fight to bring projects such as Pinetec to Collie.
"A project like Pinetec would significantly boost employment in Collie," Mr Murray said.
"Not only would Collie benefit from the creation of 40 new jobs directly, but the indirect employment benefits would also be substantial.
"I join with the Minister in calling for the Commonwealth to match the State Government's offer of $1million in industry assistance to Pinetec so that new and sustainable jobs and opportunities can be created in Collie."
Minister's office: 9222 9699