About the DRI Company

DRI aims to develop new timber related industries for the Dorset region of North East Tasmania.

Our community focused enterprise intends to use the region’s renewable resources to improve the environment and build community resilience.

We intend to achieve this initially by refurbishing the Ling Siding site at Scottsdale. This will then allow us to offer space to businesses and industry so that they may locate at the site. DRI is particularly interested and focused on renewable industries. Therefore, the businesses and industries DRI is interested in will use a component of the renewable resource – timber or wood or a bi product of a timber related industry. We anticipate that in time, the waste of one business will be come the resource of another. By co-locating on one site, DRI believes that many synergies can be achieved, including such items as shared resources; weigh bridge; hard stand to store resources; timber treatment and processing; office space; power; water; OH&S aspects; engineering; marketing and other expertise.

The HUB is open for business and opportunities.

Some sixteen businesses have now started to work from the site, and other businesses are invited to apply for space.

DRI is particularly interested in securing an engineering firm to be located at the site. The treatment plant is in operation and can treat timber and timber products for customers. New start up timber processing activities are particularly invited to apply for space and DRI are committed to assisting these new start up’s with favourable leasing arrangements.

DRI intends to work with the community and Government to attract industries that will benefit from sharing common resources and services. We are deeply committed to the resurgence of the timber industry in Tasmania, anticipating that it will become an important player in economic development, opportunities, skills development and employment.

DRI's vision is to have Ling Siding returned to a place of employment, prosperity and energy, where a renewable resource is fully utilized for the benefit of all Tasmanian's. DRI hopes to set an example where a Timber Processing Hub can truly benefit the local and wider communities. The DRI Mission is to: - Improve the economy of the North-East by assisting existing businesses and starting new ones. - Revitalise local industries based on the region’s renewable natural resources, particularly forestry. - Establish sustainable businesses ― ones that can continue indefinitely. - Ensure that the maximum local benefit flows from our activities. - For example, by using local contractors and suppliers wherever possible. Our Photo Gallery shows the story. Please call us for further information or leave a question on the Contact Form.

 

Wendy Mitchell

Wendy-Mitchell2-resizedChair

Wendy is passionate about the opportunities for wood and wood related products in Tasmania as a substantial and sustainable industry and considers the Dorset Renewable Industries project at Ling Siding of critical importance to the local and State economy. She expects that it will generate skills, jobs and wealth for the area.

Wendy is the Chief Executive Officer of Community Care TASMANIA see  www.cct.org.au.

Wendy Mitchell has extensive business development and regional development experience. Her previous roles include working to provide strategic direction and advice for Tasmanian industries in her role as Business Advisor for the Commonwealth Government – Enterprise Connect Program. Wendy also worked for the Dorset Council as the Manager of Development Services, where she saw the opportunity to assist a rebirth of the timber industry into the local community and economy.

Among other qualifications, Wendy has a Masters of Environmental Management and a Post Graduate Degree in Rural and Regional Development.

Wendy's roles on the DRI Board as Chair includes making connections to government and industry, working to develop the next major project for the Board - the DRI Community Cooperative, and its objectives to develop a locally owned and operated pellet plant supplying the industry and homes with environmentally friendly heating opportunities.

Wendy also assists with the development and management of this website which hopes to facilitate knowledge and interest about DRI.  DRI has space available for other tenants and asks that you contact Michael Brill, the Tenant Manager about possible space for your needs. Finally Wendy is keen to promote the collaboration between tenants at the site, sharing of information knowledge and resources is a big component of our philosophy for the site.

Dale Jessup

Dale-Jessup-resizedDirector Vice Chairman, Treasurer

Dale Jessup is the General Manager of Branxholm Sawmill and a councillor within the Dorset municipality. He has over 30 years of experience in the timber industry in various operational and management positions. Dale has extensive experience in Project & Environmental Management, Quality System Development, Sales, Resource Procurement and Operational Management.

Dale spent 21 years working at the Ling Siding site during the Frenchpine Sawmill Era when a workforce of 180 people were engaged, He is committed to see the site being brought back to life proving valuable employment and economic development for the region and the state.

Dale believes local business development and support is crucial for the ongoing viability of our local schools, hospital and services in Dorset.

Dale is the Project Superintendent of the Ling Siding Site, overseeing the upgrade of the site so that it can again be a major contributor to the North East economy.

Michael Brill

Michael Brill
Director, Site and Tenant Manager

Michael Brill has worked in timber processing and manufacturing since the 1990s.

He purchased Stronach Timber Industries in 1998 with his wife Jillene. By 2011, Stronach Timber Industries employed 74 personnel in timber processing and had established a timber retail business and labour hire business - Stronach Labour Force.

Michael’s business has been recognised for its commitment to non-discriminatory employment and in 2007 received the Prime Minister’s runner up award as employer of the year/small business.

The Stronach Group continues business today looking to maintain a creative edge and capitalise on market opportunities.

Michael has a commitment to the local economy and believes that the DRI vision will grow the region significantly.

Michael's role on the DRI Board is to facilitate the development of business growth at the HUB site. Anyone interested in looking at the site and what it can offer their businesses are encouraged to talk to Michael.

Michael co-manages the prospective tenant enquiries at the HUB with Ken Hall. Interested business can make contact with Michael at his business across the road from the HUB.

Allyson Davies

Director

Allyson grew up in Scottsdale and believes the DRI is important for the economy in the North East.Allyson is very keen to support the concepts of the site such as employment, developing skills, collaboration and working with the local community to attract industries in sharing common resources and services.  Allyson’s father (John Beattie) was instrumental in the development of DRI and she is keen to follow in her father’s footsteps, and to take up where he left off.

Allyson is an Education Manager at TasTAFE where she has worked for 21 years. She looks forward to working with the other DRI Directors to assist them with the commitment to develop and continue to upgrade the DRI site so that it can benefit the North East  community, creating jobs, skills and economic development.