More than $7 million in funding for small businesses in native forest regions

• 21 small businesses in native forest regions awarded grants of up to $400,000 to remain open and invest in job creation
• Grants made available through the McGowan Government’s $15 million Small Business Development and Diversification grants program
• Second funding round to open late 2023

Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis today announced that 21 businesses across southern Western Australia will share in $7 million worth of funding, through the first round of the McGowan Government’s Small Business Development and Diversification grants program.

The grants of up to $400,000 will help small businesses with a reliance on the native timber industry remain open and invest in job creation through diversification, expansion and innovation.

The recipients include furniture makers, transport companies, children’s playground builders, firewood contractors and garden suppliers.

Through the Small Business Development and Diversification grants program, $15 million in grants is available across two rounds.

The second round is due to open in late 2023. Eligible applicants that were not successful in the first round are encouraged to reapply.

The Small Business Development and Diversification grants form part of the Industry and Community Development Programs, which are the third and final pillar of the McGowan Government’s $80 million Native Forestry Transition plan.

Funded by $30 million announced in the 2022-23 State Budget, the Industry and Community Development Programs also include the:

·        $10 million New Industry Development Grants program;

·        $4 million Community Small Grants Fund program; and

·        $1 million Closure of Impacted Businesses program.

The decision to end large-scale commercial native forest logging from 2024 will preserve an additional 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah, and wandoo forests – protecting them for future generations.

As an alternative to native timber, the McGowan Government has invested a record $350 million in new softwood plantations across the South-West, which will create and support jobs within the native forest regions.

For more information on the Industry and Community Development grants, visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/industry-and-community-development-programs.  

As stated by Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis:

“The McGowan Government is committed to supporting our South-West communities through the transition, while also preserving WA’s natural forests for future generations to come.

“The Small Business Development and Diversification grants are one of several programs providing financial support to businesses and communities in WA’s native forest regions.

“We encourage all eligible businesses to apply for the upcoming round of grants, to help them diversify, expand and create new jobs for the local community.”

As stated by Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:

“It’s fantastic to see the rollout of the Small Business Development and Diversification grants program, supporting small local businesses as they transition away from large-scale native forestry logging.

“I fought hard to increase the transition package from $50 million to $80 million, securing an extra $15 million in grant funding, across two rounds, for local businesses. This is in addition to securing funding for New Industry Development Grants, Community Small Grants, and a Closure of Impacted Businesses program.

“I know many of the recipients are excited about the opportunity these grants present for their businesses to diversify and thrive while helping to create more jobs in our region.

“The second round is due to open later this year – I encourage any applicants who missed out during the first round to reapply, along with any eligible businesses who have plans to diversify, expand or innovate.”