The Albanese Labor Government continues to back Australia's sustainable forestry industry and is today announcing 16 new grants through the $73 million Support Plantation Establishment program.
The program is supporting the growth of almost 40,000 hectares of new hardwood and softwood plantations across Australia, which includes almost 9,500 hectares announced today.
The program will help meet growing demand for domestic timber including for the construction of new homes and support jobs in regional communities across Australia.
We are delivering a $300 million investment to back Australia's forestry industry, because we know the critical contribution forestry makes across the country.
Through this investment the Government is helping to grow plantations, modernise manufacturing infrastructure, deliver forestry research and data, and upskill the industry workforce.
We are continuing to back the future of the industry with a new $300 million Forestry Growth Fund which will bring our total investment to $600 million.
This Fund will invest in the new equipment and facilities that are key to enabling industry modernisation and advanced processing.
It will also invest in training for the forestry workforce, engineered and wood products innovation, and support housing and construction supply chains.
A full list of grant recipients through the Support Plantation Establishment program is available here: agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/forestry/industries/support-plantation-establishment-program
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:
"The Albanese Labor Government is committed to a bright future for Australia's forestry industry which is why we are delivering record investments.
"These latest grants will increase our sustainable timber supply and support industry, business and jobs in rural Australia.
"This is helping build a Future Made in Australia - increasing our domestic timber supply to support our domestic manufacturing and value-adding capabilities."
