HEYFIELD and Yarram are two timber towns earmarked to receive money to develop a plan transitioning their economies from native timber harvesting.
The state government plans to phase out all native forest harvesting by 2030.
It says its Local Development Strategy grants of up to $400,000 are available to 11 forestry communities across Victoria, will “help manage the transition and seek new job opportunities”.
The grants will be available to local groups who can work with their councils and the Victorian Forestry Plan Transition Team to help safeguard their respective communities’ economic futures.
Through the grants, the government hopes communities will be able to undertake long-term diversification planning to support their local economies adapt to new industries and increase job opportunities for workers.
Announcing the grants, Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the government was “supporting workers and their families through this time of change with an inclusive plan for the transition away from native timber harvesting”.
“This funding will put power directly into the hands of local communities – helping them plan for the future based on their strengths and priorities,” she said.
The eligible areas are Noojee, Benalla, Orbost, Swifts Creek, Nowa Nowa, Koondrook, Murrindindi area (Alexandra, Taggerty and Marysville), Corryong, Heyfield, Yarram, Yarra Ranges (Powelltown, Yarra Junction and Warburton).
To implement the plans, communities will be supported by the $36 million Victorian Forestry Plan Transition Fund, which will be available more broadly across the state.
Wellington Shire Council development general manager Brent McAlister said the council had been working with the state government for some time to secure funding to develop a local development strategy, to support communities with forestry transition.
“Concurrently the council, along with other key stakeholders through the Native Timber Taskforce, are trying to discover the information or data on which the policy decision to phase out native timber harvesting was based,” he said.
“We are doing this through a series of freedom of information requests and complaints.
“But currently to no avail.”
Mr McAlister said if the local development strategy funding was successful, council would employ a staff member to work with
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, the Forestry Transition staff and the Heyfield and Yarram communities to undertake an analysis of the future of those communities in respect of forestry transition.
“The fund would also be used to identify and undertake activities around innovations that would help with the any transition,” he said.
“The emergence of the renewable energy industry with major offshore wind and solar projects planned for the shire are exciting prospects that will help any transition.”
The state government’s Forestry Business Transition Voucher program has also been extended to allow more forestry businesses to apply for tailored and specialist support.
Voucher applications are now open until November 30, with up to $25,000 available to help forestry-dependent businesses assess their capabilities, options and strategies for transition.
For more information about the support available, visit vic.gov.au/forestry.
