A new Timber Industry Strategy for Victoria
In 2009 the Victorian Government released a Timber Industry Strategy to provide a framework and long-term direction for the Victorian timber industry for the next 20 years.
The development of the Timber Industry Strategy has involved an extensive consultation process engaging industry, environment and community stakeholders. While the Department coordinated development of the strategy, its development and implementation is a whole-of-government exercise.
The Timber Industry Strategy will assist industry to increase the economic value to Victoria from timber production and processing in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner. It will enable ongoing investment in a productive, competitive and sustainable timber industry that ensures our forest industries continue to provide jobs and income for regional families and communities, as well as high quality forest products for future generations
The Timber Industry Strategy consists of four priority areas and 13 broad action areas to support a competitive, productive and sustainable Victorian timber industry. A central theme of the strategy is greater resource security to the timber industry.
The full version of the Timber Industry Strategy
Strategy Highlights
- World-class environmental regulation for forest activities on public and private land will meet the highest possible environmental standards
- The government’s commercial timber business, VicForests, will be publicly accountable, regulated, and operate in designated areas of State forest
- Secure and competitive investment frameworks will foster productive, competitive and sustainable timber industries and strong communities
- Australia’s strongest forest governance arrangements will provide efficient and transparent decision-making
- Improved freight infrastructure and logistics will support the timber supply chain
- Building a safe and skilled workforce and attracting people to the timber industry
- Understanding and helping the timber industry adapt to environmental, social and economic change
Priority Areas
The Timber Industry Strategy identifies 13 key action areas under four priorities. 
Priority 1: A productive, competitive and sustainable timber industry
- Action 1: Provide greater certainty of access to public native forest timber resources
- Action 2: Improve estimation and communication of sustainable harvest levels from public native forests
- Action 3: Improve the sales system for native hardwood logs from public native forests
- Action 4: Sustainably develop timber plantations
- Action 5: Assist the timber industry to adapt to climate change
Priority 2: Develop and support efficient timber markets
- Action 6: Improve freight infrastructure and logistics to support the timber supply chain
- Action 7: Support the commercial development of new and emerging markets for timber and timber-related products
- Action 8: Support market access and improve biosecurity for sustainable timber production
- Action 9: Strengthen governance arrangements for forests and timber production
Priority 3: Innovative forestry science, technology, and practice change
- Action 10: Encourage industry innovation and research and development
- Action 11: Improve industry occupational health and safety
Priority 4: Strong timber industry communities
- Action 12: Build a skilled workforce
- Action 13: Enhance community understanding of the benefits of Victoria’s forests
Related information
Development of the Timber Industry StrategyTimber Industry Strategy public consultation draft
