Sawlogs for Salinity
Sawlogs for Salinity was the first project to be funded by the Plantations Incentive Strategy, and a part of the Moving Forward Together initiative, announced by the government in December 2005, which supports investment in provincial Victoria.
The Government is encouraging investment in large-scale plantations on land that will provide the most benefits to the grower, the environment and rural communities. Expansion of commercial forestry on private land accords with the governments emphasis on promoting sustainable development; more jobs and thriving innovative industries across Victoria and protecting the environment for future generations.
The Trial
Sawlogs for Salinity was a pilot project testing the Bush Tender approach, which has received much positive feedback, and adapt that process to private forestry. In addition, DPI used the award winning Catchment Analysis Tool (CAT) to select and prioritise the most environmentally beneficial areas for tree planting. Stage One of this trial was confined to a small area in Gippsland, whereas Stage Two was confined to the Corangamite CMA region.
This trial has the potential to be used as the model for providing Victoria with long-term treed landscapes that give salinity and water benefits. It will also provide a valuable future timber resource and an opportunity for landowners to diversify their income.
Project Updates
Benefits Statement
Private Forestry improves the value of adjoining properties
Private forestry has the potential to provide a high dollar return per hectare compared to other farming enterprises. Consequently not just the plantation owner but farmers with adjoining properties may also find their properties rise in value.
Private Forestry may provide additional superannuation benefits
The farming communities average age is 55 to 60 and many realise large financial gains when selling their land to the plantation forestry and timber industry. This has created unexpected windfalls towards some farmers superannuation saving. Farmers investing in forestry plantations over the longer term may also benefit from additional income at the time of harvest.
Sawlogs for Salinity pilot project a research program that cares for the environment
The government is encouraging investment in large-scale plantations on land that will provide the most benefits to the grower, the environment and rural communities. The project will ultimately see new long-term treed landscapes with salinity and water benefits in areas including Gippsland and the Corangamite region of south west Victoria.
Sawlogs for Salinity pilot project provides for income diversification
The project will provide a valuable future timber resource and an opportunity for landowners to diversify their income.
Sawlogs for Salinity pilot project the government looking to the future
Expansion of commercial forestry on private land accords with the governments emphasis on:
- Promoting sustainable development
- More jobs and thriving innovative industries across Victoria
- Protecting the environment for future generations
Sawlogs for Salinity pilot project not tax driven
The philosophy behind the Sawlogs for Salinity project is that the State Government is investing in projects that deliver benefits to the community and the environment.
Fact Sheet
The Sawlogs for Salinity Pilot Project
Sawlogs for Salinity was a pilot project funded by the Victorian Governments Plantations Incentive Strategy, through the Moving Forward Together initiative. It provided a total of $1million in incentive payments to landowners to plant trees, which can be used to produce sawlogs, on land where there will be definite environmental benefits, particularly for salinity. Sawlogs are used in the production of building materials, furniture etc for which there is a global demand.
The Plantation Incentives Strategy
The Plantation Incentives Strategy articulates the priorities for the governments commitment to expand the plantation forest and timber industry in Victoria.
Private Forestry Future Direction
The Plantation Incentives Strategy aims to shift the focus towards encouraging investment in large-scale sawlog plantations. These plantations will be established on land that will provide the most benefits to the State, including environmental benefits, such as salinity and erosion control.
Reasons for the Change of Direction
The change of direction reflects the governments commitment to growing the plantation forest and timber industry in Victoria, addressing environmental degradation, sustaining rural communities and encouraging regional economic growth. The Sawlogs for Salinity pilot project was part of the Plantation Incentives Strategy which is an important tool for government in delivering these commitments.
Stakeholder Consultation Phase
The Plantation Incentives Strategy was forwarded to stakeholders for comment and suggestions were incorporated into the final document.
Objectives of the Sawlogs for Salinity Project
To use a science-based framework (the Catchment Analysis Tool) to predict the nature and extent of specified and environmental services provided by commercial sawlog plantations in designated areas.
The CAT is a computer-based analysis and decision-making tool used to assess bids and determine the allocation of funding on the basis of services provided.
To cost effectively allocate Plantation Incentives Strategy funds to plantation proposals which met agreed eligibility criteria for the project, and which could generate environmental services in the form of salinity reduction and sustainable water management.
