First grants awarded to grow Australia's plantation forest estate

The Albanese Government is helping the forestry industry meet growing demand for domestically-sourced sustainable timber, with over $3.2 million awarded through grants from the Support Plantation Establishment program this week.

These first grants will establish seven new plantation forests in New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland.

Successful grant recipients: 

• Tamplin Family Holdings Pty Ltd – Bunyah, New South Wales
• Plantation Pine Products Australia Pty Ltd (2 projects) – Central Tablelands, New South Wales
• The Trust Company (Australia) Ltd – Nietta, Tasmania
• Jalen Pty. Ltd. – St Marys, Tasmania
• A.C Fisher & S.J Fisher – Broadmarsh, Tasmania
• A Biskaps & S.J Biskaps – Spring Creek, Queensland

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt said the program would deliver long-term benefits.

“These grants will support the establishment of new commercial scale Pinus radiata plantations and farm forestry plantations,” Minister Watt said.

“Australia’s plantation forest estate has been in decline for over a decade; action now will increase our future timber supply and reduce our dependence on importing timber.

“These plantations will also contribute to Australia’s carbon emission reduction targets by storing carbon before being processed into the timber products we need.

“As these will be the first of many new plantations to be established under the program, I look forward to more land managers developing projects to access this exciting program, and other opportunities through the Albanese Government, like the Australian Carbon Credit Unit scheme.”

There’s still time to apply for funding through the Support Plantation Establishment program, with the first round still open through to 24 January 2024. More rounds will also be available between 2023-24 and 2026-27.

Funding of $2000 (GST exclusive) is available per 1 hectare of new long-rotation plantation forest established.

Applicants are required to provide a co-contribution at least equal to the grant amount awarded and can be demonstrated by the land the new plantation forests will be establishment on, financial means, or state, territory, or local government grant funding.

Those interested in applying for the grants are encouraged to do so through GrantConnect.