Member for Barker Tony Pasin has welcomed the opening of applications for the Forestry Recovery Development Fund, which will provide $40 million in grant funding to help industry recover from the devastating summer bushfires.
Mr Pasin said competitive grants of between $1 million and $5 million would strengthen industry and create jobs in our forestry communities.
“The summer bushfires impacted 130,000 hectares of plantation forests and about 2 million hectares of public native forest available for timber production,” Mr Pasin said.
“The bushfires have hit the forestry sector, not only in locations where fires directly destroyed plantations and processing facilities but right across the entire sector.
“The Forestry Recovery Development Fund will support Australia’s forestry industries to build back better by investing in public–private partnerships that deliver innovation and industry diversification for long–term success.
“Our Government is committed to supporting the forest industry in its recovery, which is why grants will be available for a number of projects, including upgrading existing facilities and technology, installing new facilities and diversification to make the business more resilient.
“We want to ensure the forestry industry is in a strong position to continue to grow and recover, and the Federal Government will be there every step of the way.”
Mr Pasin is encouraging the local forestry sector in the Limestone Coast to apply for funding.
Grants will be delivered through a competitive grants process with applications now open for projects to be completed by 30 June 2023.
The guidelines and information on applying for the grants can be found on the Grant Connect and Community Grants Hub websites.
Media Contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8531 2466
