A new Victorian program is helping landowners grow more trees on farms and extract greater value from their existing plantations
Victoria’s $4.5 million Trees on Farms Utilisation Program has been launched, enabling eligible farm forestry plantation owners to access a free professional assessment of their land, providing tailored insights into timber quality and market opportunities.
If an assessment identifies a commercial opportunity, landowners may be eligible for funding for management activities in later stages of the program, such as thinning, to improve their plantation for enhanced timber quality and market access.
The launch includes local government areas of Moira Shire Council, Indigo Shire Council, City of Wodonga, Towong Shire Council, Greater Shepparton City Council, Benalla Rural City Council, Rural City of Wangaratta, Strathbogie Shire Council, Mitchell Shire Council, Murrindindi Shire Council and Mansfield Shire Council.
Launching initially in the state’s north-east, the program will be extended to the rest of Victoria early next year.
To be eligible under the program, plantings must be between 3 and 30 hectares, planted before 2020 specifically for wood production, and not already allocated or committed for sale.
“We’re helping farmers to strengthen their farm business while securing a more reliable timber supply for Victoria’s future,” Victorian agriculture minister Ros Spence says.
“Strong farm businesses mean strong local communities with more jobs, more investment, and a stronger regional economy.”
Applications for the program in the north-east will close on December 19, 2025.