An announcement was made on 23 May 2023 regarding a revised timeline for Victoria’s native timber transition: Delivering Certainty For Timber Workers.

Native timber harvesting in Victoria’s state forests will end by 1 January 2024 with existing supports being brought forward and scaled up.

Support is available now.

Transition support is available right now through the Forestry Transition Program for:

Key contacts

The transition team is supporting local communities and businesses.

They are based in Gippsland, North-East Victoria and the Central Highlands.

For support in your area, please contact:

  • Gippsland: Andrew van der Kaap, Business Transition Support Coordinator, 0417 992 636
  • North-East Victoria: Kara Zdrzalka, Business Transition Support Coordinator, 0417 483 803

Supply chain manufacturers impacted by the native timber transition contact

Directly impacted native timber workers and families contact

Opal Maryvale Mill workers and families contact

  • Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) workers: Visit the ForestWorks website or call 1800 177 001.
  • Australian Manufacturers Workers’ Union, Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and United Workers Union (UWU): Contact Gippsland Trades and Labour Council at 03 5133 7684.
  • White collar (office) workers: Contact Latrobe Valley Authority at 1800 318 182.

  • Wellington Shire Local Government Area (LGA): Jeff Svigos, Senior Project Manager, 0436 661 065
  • East Gippsland LGA: Ruth Fitzclarence, Community Transition Support Officer, 0400 776 040
  • Yarra Ranges and Baw Baw LGAs: Yoshi De Wilde, Community Transition Support Officer, 0499 830 051
  • Murrindindi, Benalla, Towong and Gannawarra LGAs: Jenny Pena, Community Transition Support Officer, 0400 447 342

Mental health and wellbeing support

Mental health support is available if the forestry transition is affecting your health and wellbeing, or people you know are being affected.

Page last updated: 08/11/23