More than $5 million in funding for South West businesses

• The second round of the Small Business Development and Diversification (SBDD) grants has closed with 19 successful applicants
• The businesses will share in $5,574,821 of funding under the SBDD grant program
• The SBDD grants form part of the WA Government’s $80 million Native Forest Transition Plan

The WA Government has allocated more than $5 million to 19 former native timber industry businesses through round 2 of the Small Business Development and Diversification (SBDD) grant program.

Western Australian businesses with a demonstrated reliance on native timber were able to apply for funding of up to $400,000 to invest in business diversification and job creation.

Successful projects include developing a miniature golf course, a caravan park, children’s indoor play equipment and shifting into other services or sectors such as earth moving, road construction, fire prevention, and alternative sustainable timber products.

The previous round of SBDD grants saw 20 businesses across Perth and the South West region approved for a total of $7.2 million.

The decision to end native forest logging from 2024 saves an additional 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah and wandoo forests, resulting in the protection of almost two million hectares of native forest for future generations.

For more information see: www.wa.gov.au/nft

As stated by Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis:

“We remain committed to our $80 million Native Forest Transition Plan and the SBDD grant program is a fantastic way of supporting those seeking to diversify.

“The Cook Government has also invested a record $350 million in new softwood plantations across the South West, which will further create and support WA forestry jobs.”

Comments attributed to Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:

“I’ve seen firsthand how businesses from the first round were able to utilise their SBDD grants in various ways with the funding enabling them to pursue new job opportunities or pivot their services to more sustainable suppliers.

“It’s projects like a new miniature golf course near Denmark and an upgrade at Warren Way Caravan Park in Manjimup that’ll not only further enhance our South West as a premier tourist destination but also put us on the map as a region known for protecting its precious native forests for future generations.”

Round 2 Small Business Development and Diversification Grant recipients