Analysis of Costs

Assessment of useable timber

Given the project timelines and timber drying times associated with the implementation of projects, we have gathered information on the costs associated with; the assessment of useable timber, milling and the storage of timber.

These figures are not quotes, just an indication, gleaned from research, of costs associated with the individual tasks to make ready timber for projects.

An assessment of useable timber, on the ground. We are recommending an assessment by Tim Kennedy, costs, assuming logs are stacked neatly in North Melbourne yard, $500 - $1,000.

Timber drying times would be covered as part of the ‘on the ground’ assessment of useable timbers.

Milling

Timber Volumes Calculations, undertaken by Arbor Safe 22.12. 2016 indicates potentially 88 cubic metres of useable timber. We have used this volume when researching the possible costs associated with milling and storing. If we end up finding a match for less timber the costs will be reduced.

We attempted to explore costs through a process identifying local mills capable of: accepting the logs en masse, conducting the assessment of useable timber, storing as logs and finally milling as and when projects came to fruition.

We’ve since changed tack and are now in favour of a process that sees the logs stay in North Melbourne for assessment of usable timber, and milled on site with a transportable Woodmizer mill.

The Woodmizer Mill produces better quality milled timber than a Lucas Mill. If the decision was to mill all the useable timber, 88 cubic metres, an estimate of costs for the site set-up, log sorting and milling to specifications on the North Melbourne site with a Woodmizer transportable Mill we found to be in the region of $30,000 - $40,000.

Storage & drying

We envisage the best solution for storage would be to rack and store under cover at the North Melbourne site.

We have not been able to explore the possibilty, nor the costs associated with, storing milled timber at the nominated site in North Melbourne.

Alternatively, in case storing at a North Melbourne site proves impractical, we have looked at the costs associated with storing the milled timber off site, again working with the assessed yield of 88 cubic metres. The job would initially require the stack sorting and forklifting of the milled timber, racked appropriately for drying, into containers and transported out of Melbourne to be stored and monitored.

We are advised that 88 cubic metres yield would require 6 containers, for this quantity of milled timber, and storage could cost $15,000 - $20,000 per annum.