SUCCESS IN ROMSEY WITH DUO SCORING TIMBER INNOVATION FUNDING
The Allan Labor Government is continuing to provide support to local businesses and workers in timber industry communities with applications for Round 3 of the Victorian Timber Innovation Fund (VTIF) now open.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence has announced that eligible native timber businesses are able to access up to $1 million in grant funding per business to diversify away from native timber harvesting and create new jobs in their communities.
As part of Round 3, support will include 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 will support 29 successful applications from 28 native timber businesses totalling over $7 million, including two businesses in Romsey.
Central Excavations and Contracting will receive $249,155 to transition to an earth moving business.
Meyer Log Cartage will receive $301,269 to transition to private tree services.
VTIF supports businesses to transition away from the native timber industry and diversify their business operations to pursue opportunities in other industries that will support jobs and the communities that depended on the native timber industry.
This can include businesses switching their operations to plantation timber, construction and earthmoving services to both maintain existing jobs and create new sustainable jobs.
For more information on the Victorian Timber Innovation Grants Program, call 1800 318 182 or visit deeca.vic.gov.au/forestry
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
“Congratulations to Central Excavations and Contracting and Myer Log Cartage on their successful Round 2 applications. We continue to support our local businesses and workers as we transition away from the native timber industry into a new sustainable future.”
