Nationwide Trees hothouse
A Gippsland nursery is expanding its business and providing jobs for ex-native timber workers, thanks to a $775,000 grant from the Victorian Government’s Forestry Transition Fund.
Nationwide Trees at Piedmont in West Gippsland, is using the grant to construct a multi-use production and dispatch shed, to help the business to meet growing demand.
To support the business’ growth, up to 10 impacted forestry workers and their families are being recruited via the Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program and trained to work in the new facility – tripling the business’ workforce. Two former mill employees have already been employed in administrative roles.
Glenn Fenton, Managing Director at Nationwide Trees with 2 people looking at apple trees
Nationwide Trees Managing Director Glenn Fenton said he also employed ex-timber workers to do excavation work on the site in preparation for construction of the dispatch shed.
“We designed this project to maximise the use of local contractors and suppliers during the build and provide employment for former forestry workers and their families.”
The wholesale nursery supplies a broad range of deciduous and broadleaf seedlings, rootstocks and some conifers to the nursery industry, orchardists, landscapers, local authorities, farm foresters, planting contractors and consultants.
The grant supports the regional innovation ideas being generated through the Noojee Local Development Strategy (LDS), with Mr Fenton also an active member of the strategy’s Specialist Agriculture Industry Development Working Group.
The $36 million Forestry Transition Fund supports job creation and business development in and around the native timber communities in Gippsland and the north-east of the state.
Page last updated: 10/05/24