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Opening of Third round of Timber Plantations Grants Win Industry Applause

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes the recent announcement by the Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry opening the latest round of grants demonstrating the Albanese Government’s commitment to expanding Australia’s plantation forest estate.

The Federal Government has just opened its third round of $74 million Support Plantation Establishment grants program which Is vital in ensuring Australia will have much need fibre and wood supply for the nation’s future.

Diana Hallam, AFPA CEO, stated, “These grants are essential for strengthening Australia’s sovereign capability in timber and wood fibre products. The new plantations established through this scheme will not only support our climate change efforts and contribute to national emissions reduction targets but also provide critical job opportunities in key regional areas across the country.”

“Under the program, a grant of $2,000 per hectare is available to landholders to plant a timber crop on their property.”

“In response to feedback from AFPA and forest growers, the Albanese Government has made some changes so the program is more accessible for landowners. These changes are welcomed by the industry.

“AFPA strongly endorses the Government’s strategic investment in timber plantations as a critical step towards achieving Australia’s climate targets and ensuring a robust, sustainable supply of timber and wood fibre for the nation’s future”

This announcement comes in the context of the return of the Hon Julie Collins MP to the portfolio of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

“It is great to have Minister Julie Collins back in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio.  As the Shadow Minister prior to the 2022 election Minister Collins committed the Albanese Government to this grant program in recognition that the plantation estate had been shrinking for over a decade, ” Di Hallam concluded.

For more information, landholders are encouraged to visit: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/forestry/industries/support-plantation-establishment-program

ENDS

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