East Gippsland Shire Council is calling for fairer forestry transition funding delivery, including a review of existing programs and a significant share of the Victorian Government's $10 million 2026–27 Future Forests program.
Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said communities most affected by the end of commercial native forest timber harvesting deserved greater transparency, faster delivery and stronger support to rebuild their local economies.
"Communities such as Cann River, Orbost, Nowa Nowa and Swifts Creek have experienced significant change, with job losses, reduced business confidence and fewer local opportunities," Cr Ashworth said.
"People want to know where the transition funding is going, how it is being spent, and when it will make a tangible difference," she added.
As part of its advocacy ahead of the 2026 Victorian Election, Council is calling on candidates and parties to commit to reviewing the governance and delivery of forestry transition programs, streamline grant processes, provide clearer reporting on funding outcomes, and extend transition programs beyond June 2027.
Council is also advocating for a significant proportion of the Future Forests program announced in the 2026–27 State Budget to be invested in East Gippsland, recognising the region manages more than one-third of the 1.8 million hectares of the area of state forest that was previously available for native timber harvesting.
"Our communities have carried a disproportionate share of the impacts of forestry transition, and it’s only fair that they should receive a significant investment to support economic recovery, create local jobs and continue the critical work of forest management and bushfire preparedness."
Council is working with regional partners and peak bodies, including One Gippsland, the Municipal Association of Victoria and Timber Towns Victoria, to advocate for a review of forestry transition funding arrangements and push for improved fairness and equity in how transition outcomes are delivered across affected communities. Council's advocacy aligns with the Victorian Government's regional economic diversification objectives and complements Council's own economic development and resilience strategies.
Council's advocacy package includes priority investments in roads, health, housing, flood and drainage infrastructure, sporting facilities, emergency services, forestry transition and public land management, along with reform of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.