Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis today announced the $10 million New Industry Development Grants, which will help attract new industries and expand existing enterprises in Western Australia’s South-West foreign regions.
The new grants initiative is part of the McGowan Government’s $80 million Native Forest Transition Plan to phase out commercial native timber logging by 2024.
The grants program aims to encourage distinctive, cutting-edge, and long-lasting initiatives that will boost regional economies in WA, protect existing jobs, and generate new employment possibilities, the government revealed in a media statement.
The government said that businesses, innovators and organisations with planned, investment-ready projects are encouraged to apply for matched funding grants of up to $2 million.
Minister Jarvis commented on the new initiative, stating that it will attract new and sustainable industries to the regions and allow existing businesses to expand and create jobs to future-proof WA’s economy.
“I encourage any business looking to develop in the State’s south to consider applying for matched funding through the New Industry Development Grants,” she said.
The minister emphasised that the government has pledged $80 million since September 2021 to support the phase-out of native timber cutting and safeguard the State’s forests for future generations.
Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie described the grants program as an exciting opportunity for new industries to establish or existing businesses to expand their activities in the Native Forest Timber regions.
“The New Industries Development Grants will add value to our local economies and will contribute to the development of a range of exciting new job opportunities,” Kelsbie stated.
A record $350 million has also been spent by the McGowan Administration in new softwood plantations throughout the South-West, supporting and generating jobs in forestry in Western Australia.
The decision to end native forest logging from 2024 will preserve an additional 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah and wandoo forests, and protect WA’s native forests for future generations.
For more information on how to apply for the New Industry Development Grants visit this link.
