The Allan Labor Government is fast tracking the establishment of timber plantations in Victoria, helping to boost local timber supply for construction and manufacturing and create more jobs.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence today announced $10 million as part of the Victorian Plantation Support Program to establish new long-rotation timber plantations.
This additional funding will be for projects approved under select rounds of the Commonwealth's Support Plantation Establishment Program.
Victorian growers looking to develop new plantations can receive up to $1,000 per hectare under the program to assist with plantation establishment activities. Combined with the Commonwealth program, new plantations of 20 hectares or more in Victoria can receive up to $3,000 per hectare, with a cap of up to $200,000 per project.
The plantations sector is a powerhouse for our regional economy, providing regional employment and long-term resource security that is essential for building the homes and infrastructure our state needs.
As the winter planting season draws to a close, approximately 2.4 million tree seedlings have been planted this year through the Gippsland Plantations Investment Program by Hancock Victorian Plantations. This year's planting has brought the total number of trees planted to more than 3.5 million.
This program is the single largest investment in plantation establishments in the state's history and will see up to 16 million trees planted over a 10-year period. The timber will create wood supply that will build Victoria's future homes, create regional jobs, and produce paper and packaging products to replace single use plastics.
The government's $190 million investment to expand Victoria's plantation estate is delivering its goal of creating new plantations across the state.
For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/crops-and-horticulture/farm-forestry
As stated by Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence
"Demand for timber is expected to quadruple globally over the next 50 years and we're making sure Victoria has a secure supply."
"Victoria is already home to the nation's largest plantation estate, and this funding will continue to strengthen our thriving and resilient timber industry."
As stated by Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh
"This investment supports regional jobs and boosts local timber supply for more homes and timber products."
As stated by Victorian Forest Products Association CEO Andrew White
"The planting of 2.4 million trees this year through the Gippsland Plantations Investment Program is a clear demonstration of what's possible when government and industry work together."
"This is a terrific new initiative that will help overcome the upfront barriers to new plantation establishment. This investment is critical to securing the timber required to build more homes for Victorians."
