The Victorian Government is committed to supporting our regional communities to thrive after the end of native timber harvesting.

The Forestry Transition Program includes dedicated support to help communities transition.

Help is available for communities to plan for their future including how they can create different jobs in their area.

Forestry Transition Fund

The Forestry Transition Fund provides grants up to $1 million for businesses and industry groups - including chambers of commerce and associations, peak bodies and businesses networks - to expand, diversify or start new businesses.

The funding is focused on communities impacted by the native timber transition and supporting actions from Local Development Strategies.

Applicants that directly employ displaced native timber workers will receive a $20,000 wage subsidy per worker in addition to their grant.

Funding is also available to local councils, water corporations and utility providers to make sure there is the right infrastructure in place to support businesses’ applications.

Local Development Strategy grants

Local Development Strategy grants will make sure that affected communities are well supported through the native timber transition.

Grants of up to $500,000 are available to help 11 communities that are affected by the Forestry Transition Program.

The grants provide support for communities to plan for their future including how they can create different and sustainable jobs in their area.

Allocation of the Local Development Strategy grants is now exhausted.

Benalla

Corryong

Heyfield

  • Wellington Shire Council – $500,000

Murrindindi

Noojee

Nowa Nowa

Orbost

Swifts Creek

Yarram

Yarra Ranges

Community Development Fund

The $22 million Community Development Fund supports the delivery of early Local Development Strategy outcomes.

The fund allocates financial support to 11 priority Local Development Strategy communities.

Communities that are not eligible for a Local Development Strategy grant or Community Development Fund grant can apply to the Forestry Transition Fund in 2023.

Get in touch

Gippsland

  • Jeff Svigos, Senior Project Manager 0436 661 065
  • East Gippsland LGA:Shona Skene, Community Transition Coordinator 0459 902 064
  • Wellington and Baw Baw LGAs: Emma Birchall, Community Transition Coordinator 0474 775 458

North east Victoria

Yarra Ranges, Murrindindi, Benalla, Towong and Gannawarra LGAs

  • Matt Thomas, Community Transition Manager, North East  0437 898 586
  • Amanda Farelly, Community Transition Coordinator 0427 423 791

Community grants and funding summary

  • $5.5 million
    supports local economies’ to transition to new and sustainable industries

  • $22 million in total
  • supports local development strategy communities to implement early actions from the local development strategies.

  • $36 million in total
  • Grants up to $1 million for businesses and industry groups - including chambers of commerce and associations, peak bodies and businesses networks -  to expand, diversify or start new businesses.
  • Focused on communities impacted by the native timber transition and supporting actions from Local Development Strategies.
  • Applicants that directly employ displaced native timber workers will receive a $20,000 wage subsidy per worker in addition to their grant.

Page last updated: 22/11/24