The Australian Government has committed $86 million to four new initiatives to support the forestry industry, wine producers and apple growers impacted by the bushfires and the effects of COVID-19.
The additional relief measures include:
- A $40 million Forestry Recovery Development Fund for competitive grants that support processors to navigate future wood supply shortages through innovation and product diversification.
- $10 million for the establishment of storage facilities for processed timber products, fire-affected logs and other forestry products.
- A $5 million fund for grants up to $10,000, matched by a co-contribution, for wine grape producers who experienced crop loss because of smoke taint from the Black Summer bushfires in wine regions that aren’t currently activated for the $75,000 primary producers grants.
- A $31 million fund for grants of $120,000 per hectare for bushfire impacted apple growers.