The Victorian Government has launched an expanded transition support package as part of the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to provide increased certainty for timber workers, sawmill operators and their communities.
According to the Government, the package removes the uncertainty that has been caused by an ongoing court and litigation processes, and increasingly severe bushfires, with an additional $200 million in support for workers and their families to transition from native timber logging earlier than planned.
The package brings the Government’s total support for the forestry transition to more than $875 million, including existing worker support services and investments to support the transition to plantation timber.
The move is in line with plans to end native timber harvesting in state forests by 2024, with existing supports being brought forward and scaled up to help timber workers find new jobs.
Forest contractor workers will be secured with contracts for forest management works, enabling them to continue to work in the forests they know so well and contribute to bushfire risk reduction.
Meanwhile, native timber mills will be eligible for a voluntary transition package, whether they choose to stay in timber processing or switch to other industry sectors.
Mills that stay will be able to access investment support through the Timber Innovation Fund.
The Government is also providing support to local businesses reliant on Victorian hardwood supply to manage the transition process.
The Supply Chain Resilience package will support business continuity and provide assistance to help manufacturing and other businesses make the transition to other opportunities.
According to Premier Daniel Andrews, the plan will give workers and their communities, businesses and partners along the supply chain the certainty they deserve.
“It’s not good enough for us to just cross our fingers and hope for the best. We need a plan to support workers, their families and support local jobs,” Premier Andrews added.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney said the Government will support local communities with the financial support, secure jobs and training, and one-on-one case management they need.
