The Victorian Government is providing grants through the Victorian Timber Innovation Grants Program of up to $1 million for eligible native timber businesses to diversify away from native timber harvesting.
The grant provides native timber industry businesses funds to explore, invest and implement new opportunities, that can include businesses switching their operations to plantation timber, construction and earthmoving services to both maintain existing jobs and create new sustainable jobs.
Round 3 of the program also includes a Grant Application Assistance Service for the first time.
Businesses can apply for vouchers of up to $7,500 which will provide them with access to a panel of Registered Service Providers. These providers will help businesses to prepare and submit strong submissions for the grants program.
Eligibility for Round 3 has also been extended to harvest and haulage sub-contractors, chip truck drivers and other businesses which were heavily dependent on the native timber industry. Businesses who take up other forestry transition support packages can still access the VTIF.
Round 2 of the Timber Innovation Fund supported 29 successful applications from 28 native timber businesses, totalling over $7 million.
