The Victorian Government is committed to supporting our regional communities to thrive after the end of native timber harvesting.
The Forestry Transition Program includes dedicated support to help communities transition.
Help is available for communities to plan for their future including how they can create different jobs in their area.
Forestry Transition Fund
The Forestry Transition Fund provides grants up to $1 million for businesses and industry groups - including chambers of commerce and associations, peak bodies and businesses networks - to expand, diversify or start new businesses.
The funding is focused on communities impacted by the native timber transition and supporting actions from Local Development Strategies.
Applicants that directly employ displaced native timber workers will receive a $20,000 wage subsidy per worker in addition to their grant.
Funding is also available to local councils, water corporations and utility providers to make sure there is the right infrastructure in place to support businesses’ applications.
Local Development Strategy grants
Local Development Strategy grants will make sure that affected communities are well supported through the native timber transition.
Grants of up to $500,000 are available to help 11 communities that are affected by the Forestry Transition Program.
The grants provide support for communities to plan for their future including how they can create different and sustainable jobs in their area.
Allocation of the Local Development Strategy grants is now exhausted.
Community Leadership Program
Community Leadership Programs are available in northern Victoria and Gippsland to build the skills of local leaders in regions impacted by the end of native timber harvesting.
Gippsland
The Building Resilient Forestry Communities Program is being delivered by the Committee for Gippsland.
It supports up to 20 program participants from the 6 priority forestry communities with Local Development Strategies in the region: Noojee, Yarram, Heyfield, Orbost, Nowa Nowa and Swifts Creek.
Find out more at Committee for Gippsland.
Northern Victoria
The Lead a New Future for Your Community Program is being delivered by the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship.
It supports up to 20 participants though a core program and up to 100 more though workshops from the five priority communities with Local Development Strategies in the region: Murrindindi, Yarra Ranges, Benalla, Corryong and Koondrook.
Find out more at Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE).
