Supporting forestry bushfire recovery
We are helping Australia’s forestry industries recover from the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires through these 3 measures:
- Forestry Recovery Development Fund Program
- Forestry Transport Assistance
- Salvage Log Storage Fund
Forestry Recovery Development Fund Program
$40 million will be provided from 2020-21 to 2022-23 to assist privately-owned wood processing facilities to recover and rebuild using innovation and product diversification.
Privately-owned wood processing facilities can apply for grants from $1 million to $5 million.
Objectives
- To deliver funding to privately owned wood processing facilities that have been directly or indirectly impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires.
- Enable wood processing facilities to develop new processing lines for their business, including upgrades to existing facilities and technologies, and new facilities that complement existing activities.
Intended outcomes
- To support industry to adopt smarter, more efficient practices in product processing and forestry operations
- To provide regional jobs and support regional communities.
Applications for the Forestry Recovery Development Fund Program (the Program) closed on 13 October 2020.
The outcomes for the Program, including the successful applicants, are detailed in the joint media release below by the Hon David Littleproud MP, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management and Senator the Hon Jonathon Duniam, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries.
Media release
- Outcomes of the Program – Joint Media Release – Minister Littleproud and Assistant Minister Duniam
- From Assistant Minister Duniam
- From the Prime Minister
Forestry Transport Assistance
$15 million to help with the increased costs of transporting burnt salvaged logs further distances to surviving timber mills or storage sites. Covers transport from bushfire affected areas in Victoria and New South Wales.
We are working with state governments to deliver these funds.
New South Wales
Access support through the NSW Supply Chain Support Grants.
Find out if you are eligible and how to apply (NSW Government).
Victoria
More information will be made available in the future.
Media releases
Salvage Storage Fund - Securing Forestry Resources for Economic Recovery
$10 million in funding, provided through the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund, for establishing storage facilities for fire-affected timber including:
- processed timber products
- logs
- other forestry products.
The fund provides extra certainty for mills. It helps businesses to plan their long-term recovery.
We are working with state governments to deliver this funding.
New South Wales
Applications are now closed. Find out more about the Bushfire Industry Recovery Package (NSW Government).
Victoria
Applications are now closed. Find out more information at Bushfire Recovery Timber Storage Grants - Regional Development Victoria (rdv.vic.gov.au)
Media releases
- From the Prime Minister
- From the Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries