The Victorian State Government Minister for Agriculture, The Hon Ros Spence MP, visited the town of Noojee on Friday afternoon to announce the following grants:
$20,000 for the Forest Therapy Feasibility Study
$10,000 for the Online Community Project Leadership Platform
$8,500 for the Visitor Economy Workshop
The Shaping the Future of Noojee project is part of the broader Forestry Transition Program. The program supports workers, businesses and the community in transitioning away from native timber harvesting.
Noojee was one of 10 towns that have received a $500,000 Local Development Strategy Grant under the program to help support the community and develop the local economy. A further $38,500 in grants from the program's Community Development Fund provides an opportunity for Noojee to identify local strengths and explore opportunities for innovation and diversification to ensure a thriving community and successful future.
The Shaping the Future of Noojee project comprises five key working groups that feed into the strategic direction of Noojee. These working groups are:
The Eco Tourism Working Group
The Specialised Agricultural Industry Development Working Group
The Multipurpose Community Hub and Education Centre Working Group
The Ethical Hunting and Game Processing Working Group, and
The Power and Connectivity Reliability Working Group
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe said the $38,500 in additional grants funding was welcomed news for Noojee, as Council continues to support the town, its residents and traders in the transition away from native timber harvesting.
"The Shaping the Future of Noojee project is paving the way for some exciting plans and initiatives in Noojee and Council is always considering new ways to attract investment and visitation into the region," Cr McCabe said.
Also exciting is the news that the Victorian Government has provided a $775,000 grant from the Forestry Transition Fund to Gippsland nursery Nationwide Trees at Piedmont in West Gippsland, which will be used to construct a multi-use production and dispatch shed, to help the business to meet growing demand. It will also result in the recruitment of up to 10 impacted forestry workers, who will be trained to work at the new facility – tripling the local business' workforce.
