Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis this week announced the $10 million New Industry Development Grants, to attract new industries and support expansion of existing businesses in Western Australia’s South-West timber regions. Source: Timberbiz
Businesses, innovators and organisations with planned, investment-ready projects are encouraged to apply for matched funding grants of up to $2 million.
“The New Industry Development Grants will attract new and sustainable industries to the regions and allow existing businesses to expand and create jobs to future-proof WA’s economy,” Minister Jarvis said.
“I encourage any business looking to develop in the State’s south to consider applying for matched funding through the New Industry Development Grants.”
The grants will support unique, innovative and sustainable projects that will create new employment opportunities, protect existing jobs and future-proof WA’s regional economies.
The New Industry Development Grants form part of the McGowan Government’s $80 million Native Forestry Transition plan to phase out commercial native timber logging by 2024.
“This is an exciting opportunity for new industries to establish or existing businesses to expand their activities in the Native Forest Timber regions,” said Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie.
“The New Industries Development Grants will add value to our local economies and will contribute to the development of a range of exciting new job opportunities.”
The McGowan Government has also invested a record $350 million in new softwood plantations across the South-West, which will create and support WA forestry jobs.
The decision to end native forest logging from 2024 will preserve an additional 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah and wandoo forests, and protect WA’s native forests for future generations.
For more information on how to apply for the New Industry Development Grants visit www.wa.gov.au/nft
