Albo promises $24 million to Boyer Paper Mill

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised up to $24 million to the Boyer Paper Mill.

The funding will be used to electrify is operations as well as update the mill’s product range.

$9 million will be provided in upfront support over the next two years to help Boyer stabilise its operations, with up to $15 million to help Boyer deliver these upgrades over the longer term.

According the Prime Minister, the funding will secure 310 local jobs, support around 1000 indirect jobs including forest sector jobs, and strengthen critical forestry and manufacturing supply chains in Tasmania while creating new industrial opportunities at the Boyer site.

“Boyer Paper Mill is an iconic part of Tasmania’s manufacturing story”, Mr Albanese said.

“It was Australia’s first ever newsprint mill built in the 1940s, and thousands of Tasmanians have worked here over that time.

“We want to see the Mill continue well into the future, and that is why we are committing up to $24 million to help Boyer secure local jobs and supply chains and move forward with confidence towards a low-emissions future”.

Patrick Dooley, General Manager, Boyer Paper Mill welcomed the funding commitment from the Prime Minister to support the mill’s vision to become a multi-use, economic hub  in Southern Tasmania.

“Today’s announcement will assist in achieving Our Vision for the Boyer Paper Mill, to transition from a single use (i.e papermaking) site to a multi-use facility that can include developments in the production of a diverse range of paper grades, education and training facilities, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and sustainable housing initiatives. 

The Boyer Mill has operated continuously for over 84 years. It is the only producer of publication paper in Australia and as such plays an important role in maintaining Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capacity supplying newsprint and magazine grades, including coated paper, to Australia’s publishers and printers. 

The Boyer Paper Mill was previously owned by Norske Skog Industries Australia Limited and was recently sold to Daivd Marriner’s Boyer Capital Pty Ltd for $27 million.