Gayle Tierney
Applications are open for almost $25 million in grants under the Victorian Forestry Plan. Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney yesterday announced the opening of three grant programs – the $22 million Community Development Fund, the $2.5 million second round of the Victorian Timber Innovation Fund and the $250,000 second round of the Forestry Business Transition Voucher program. Source: Timberbiz
The Government’s Community Development Fund will support 11 priority communities to deliver projects and opportunities identified through local transition strategies.
The communities of Orbost, Nowa Nowa, Swifts Creek, Yarram, Heyfield, Noojee, Murrindindi, Yarra Ranges, Benalla, Corryong and Koondrook will be able to access the fund over the next four years as their individual strategies progress.
The government says the second rounds of the Victorian Timber Innovation Fund and Forestry Business Transition Vouchers will protect local jobs by giving employers the financial and professional support they need to innovate, diversify and future-proof their businesses.
It says innovation grants of up to $1 million for native timber businesses will assist the transition to alternative fibre, and support business diversification opportunities. The program’s eligibility has been expanded to include sub-contractors linked to a business with a VicForests contract.
Following the success of the fully subscribed first round, the Forestry Business Transition Voucher program will offer vouchers up to $25,000 to provide tailored business planning support to eligible native timber businesses.
The first round of both programs had a strong take up with over $1 million in vouchers provided and innovation grants helping 10 businesses to share in $4 million to support 13 projects.
Combined, these new and existing grant rounds are investing almost $30 million in timber communities in regional Victoria.
The Sawmill Opt-out Scheme application process is also underway to enable mills and mill workers to transition out of the industry ahead of the planned 2024 step-down in native timber harvesting.
But VFPA CEO Deb Kerr noted that if native hardwood wasn’t coming from Victoria anymore, where would it come from.
She said the VFPA welcomed the grants programs but pointed out that the VFPA was still asking the incoming government to overturn its decision to phase out native forestry by 2030, to implement active forest management for improved ecological outcomes and to recover timber from both forest management and landscape fire management activities.
“Trees are a renewable resource right at our doorstep. We appreciate the investment and support of the Victorian Government to foster innovation and support businesses,” Ms Kerr said.
“However, we keep asking the same question: if native hardwood isn’t coming from Victoria anymore, where will it come from? We are calling on the incoming government to continue investing in the ultimate native hardwood renewable grown in Victoria, reach self-sufficiency in wood products and consider the alternative,” Ms Kerr said.
More information on Victorian Forestry Plan business and community support is available at www.vic.gov.au/forestry
