The CSIRO Belmont has just advised that.." Our scheduled scouring date for the 4th May is to be our last scheduled scouring date at CSIRO Belmont."

Velieris Pty Ltd (the new owners of the scour) have advised CSIRO Belmont management, that they wish to begin decommissioning the scour as soon as the scour's next contact scouring run is complete. It will take several months for Velieris to decommision the scour, reloacte it to their premises, install the scour & have it operational once again.

CSIRO contract scouring clients, realizing that thsi news was imminent, have been putting quanties of fibre through the CSIRO scour over the past couple of months in order to have a stockpile scoured fibre. Most believe that the scour will be unavailable for contract scouring work until at least September (if not longer).

Although attempts have been made to secure Government grants to assist in the cost of obtaining a new drier suitable to operate with the scour, no headway has been made at all. Velieris are pressing on regardless.

Attempts have also been made to secure a Federal Government grant to conduct an Industry audit. Once again all attempts have failed. We haven't given up on this either & shall let you know if circumstances change