Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation Program

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What is the Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation Program?

The Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation Program is a grant opportunity to support projects which will make better use of existing timber supplies, add value to existing products, create new products, or reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. 

Background

The Australian government is investing $110 million in a program to increase domestic wood processing capacity and reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. The global demand for wood and wood products is expected to increase significantly over the next 25 years. Recent bushfires impacted more than 130,000 hectares of plantations and 8.3 million hectares of native forests in Australia.

Objectives

The objectives of the Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation Program are to:

• fund privately owned wood processing facilities to increase and/or diversify production capabilities or capacity. For example, the ability to process smaller logs or install new technology to create new products
• allow greater use of Australia’s sustainably managed timber
• support the forestry and wood processing industries to continue to reduce their carbon footprint.

The intended outcomes of the program are:

• the adoption of smarter, more efficient practices in wood processing
• increased processing capabilities in Australia 
• retention or creation of regional jobs and support for regional communities.

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Funding

The minimum grant amount is $1 million (GST exclusive) and the maximum grant amount is $5 million (GST exclusive).

Eligible Projects

The Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation Program will fund:

• innovative technology to:
  • diversify existing product lines
  • improve efficiency in existing product lines
  • improve carbon efficiency, or
• minor capital works to support installation of innovative technology, such as:
  • minor improvements to electrical infrastructure
  • minor improvements to building infrastructure.

You are required to co-contribute the remainder of the overall project value being sought (grantee contribution). This component of the funding would be expected to cover:

• any major capital works associated with the project. For example, but not limited to:
  • major improvements to electrical infrastructure
  • construction of new buildings or major improvements to current building infrastructure
  • construction of roads to or from the project site

Your project must:

• increase or diversify your production capabilities. This may include increasing capacity of existing production lines or expand an existing production range, which you intend to sell solely or mainly to interstate and/or international markets or enhance your capacity to improve carbon efficiency
• have eligible activities which directly relate to the project and can include:
  • upgrades or adaptation of existing plant and equipment
  • development of new manufacturing processes
  • investments in new technology, including to diversify product lines

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible you must be one of the following entity types:

• Indigenous Corporation
• Company
• Cooperative
• Incorporated Association.

The program can only accept applications from:

• privately owned wood processing facilities that are all of the following:\
  • not owned by a state or territory government
  • do not form part of a state or territory
  • not a statutory authority established under a law of a state or territory

Eligible organisations must have at least $2.5 million in total project costs.

Need Assistance?

Call 1300 658 508

Timing

Applications close 28 February 2023.

More Information

• Source
• Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation Program Guidelines