Twenty-one small businesses in Western Australia’s native forest regions have been awarded grants of up to $400,000 to remain open and invest in job creation. Source: Timberbiz
The grants have been available through the State Government’s $15 million Small Business Development and Diversification grants program.
The recipients include furniture makers, transport companies, children’s playground builders, firewood contractors and garden suppliers.
Through the Small Business Development and Diversification grants program, $15 million in grants is available across two rounds.
The second round is due to open later this year. Eligible applicants that were not successful in the first round are encouraged to reapply.
The Small Business Development and Diversification grants form part of the Industry and Community Development Programs, which are the third and final pillar of the McGowan Government’s $80 million Native Forestry Transition plan.
Funded by $30 million announced in the 2022-23 State Budget, the Industry and Community Development Programs also include the:
- $10 million New Industry Development Grants program;
- $4 million Community Small Grants Fund program; and
- $1 million Closure of Impacted Businesses program.
“The McGowan Government is committed to supporting our South-West communities through the transition, while also preserving WA’s natural forests for future generations to come,” Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis said.
“The Small Business Development and Diversification grants are one of several programs providing financial support to businesses and communities in WA’s native forest regions.
“We encourage all eligible businesses to apply for the upcoming round of grants, to help them diversify, expand and create new jobs for the local community.”
The decision to end large-scale commercial native forest logging from 2024 will preserve an additional 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah, and wandoo forests – protecting them for future generations.
As an alternative to native timber, the State Government says it will invest a record $350 million in new softwood plantations across the South-West, which will create and support jobs within the native forest regions.
For more information on the Industry and Community Development grants, visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/industry-and-community-development-programs
View the list of recipients here.
