Forestry industry
Forestry operates from plantations on both public and private land in Towong Shire.
About the industry
The timber industry is a major state and national employer and generator of export earnings. It employs over 1000 people in the North East region, with a product value of $213 million. Counting the direct and indirect benefits, there are 1900 people employed and $353 million worth of output and flow-on to related industries.
Forestry is one of Towong Shire's largest industries, making up around 20% of employment and contributing around 25% of the North East region’s timber.
According to the Shire's Planning Scheme, over 16,000 hectares of plantations have been established at the Shelley Koetong plantation site here in Towong Shire. This supplies timber to mills at:
- Albury-Wodonga
- Benalla
- Wangaratta
- Tumbarumba
- Myrtleford.
Our region also has a large potential for hardwood plantations (such as blue gum) and agroforestry due to the high natural rainfall characteristics of the area.
Support and resources
To find out more about what support is available to forestry businesses, contact our Economic Development team on 1300 365 222 or ecodev@towong.vic.gov.au.
