THE federal Labor and Liberal parties have both committed up to $2 million to support upgrades at the Norske Skog paper mill at Boyer. This funding supports a further $2m from the State Government and $2.9m from the papermaker itself.
“Labor supports Norske Skog’s Boyer Mill both as an important employer in southern Tasmania and as the only producer in Australia of publication-grade paper,” Lyons MHR Brian Mitchell said. “Labor will provide up to $2 million to support the analysis of a replacement of the coal-fired boiler to secure the mill’s long-term future. This will protect local jobs in Tasmania and is an investment in helping locally printed newspapers,” Mr Mitchell said.
The federal Liberal Party has also offered up to $2m for the boiler study if it retains government, while the State Government’s $2 million contribution is aimed at helping the mill to remain globally competitive, including investigating diversification options to ensure it remains an important employment hub for the region, and emissions reduction opportunities.
Norske Skog will fund the remainder of the projects to upgrade the mill, which is now the only Australian producer of paper for newspapers, magazines and books.
