Murrindindi Shire Council welcomes the announcement of $130,000 in Victorian Government funding to support the work of the Farm Forestry Innovation Working Group, part of Council's broader Shaping Murrindindi's Future program. Council auspiced the funding application on behalf of the community-led Innovation Working Group, which is focused on identifying sustainable and innovative approaches to farm forestry in the region.
This funding will enable delivery of the Murrindindi Farm Forestry Project, a strategic initiative to assess the current state of farm forestry across the Shire, identify opportunities for growth and innovation, and build on the region's deep expertise in forestry and land management.
The project will explore the potential for small to medium-scale plantations on farming land, supporting income diversification through products such as sustainably harvested timber, firewood, carbon offset credits, eucalyptus oils and native food production. A proposed pilot Farm Forestry Interpretive Centre will also be developed to share knowledge, showcase innovation and support best practice across the industry.
This investment builds on the foundations of Shaping Murrindindi's Future, a community-led initiative supporting the region's economic diversification in response to the Victorian Government's phase-out of native timber harvesting. Farm forestry is emerging as a key opportunity for innovation, aligning with Council's environmental values and the community's aspirations for a more resilient and sustainable future.
Cr Sandice McAulay, Council's Economic Development Portfolio Councillor, said "This investment will help our community explore the economic and environmental potential of farm forestry. It supports our vision for a stronger, more diversified local economy, and Council looks forward to working with the community and industry partners to explore how farm forestry can deliver long-term benefits for Murrindindi Shire."
