Grant program to grow trees on farms to reduce emissions

Roger Jaensch, Minister for Environment and Climate Chance
Felix Ellis, Minister for Resources

Private Forests Tasmania is leading a $600,000 co-investment program to reduce emissions by supporting farmers to plant and grow commercial trees on their private properties in Tasmania.

Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Roger Jaensch, said “the ‘Stems for CO2’ Program is one of the $13 million worth of commitments in our Climate Change Action Plan to tackle emissions, ensuring we continue to meet our target of net zero emissions, or lower, from 2030.

“Our ‘Emissions Reduction Pathway Review’ identified that Tasmania can achieve significant emissions reductions out to 2050 by increasing the plantation estate and expansion of agroforestry plantings over the next 10 years," Minister Jaensch said.

“This program will support successful applicants with upfront establishment costs to enable them to grow trees on farms.

"The key objective is to reduce emissions by planting more trees.”

Minister for Resources, Felix Ellis, said the program will have the additional benefits of, improved farm productivity, water quality and biodiversity.

“There will also be modelling around reducing soil erosion, creating a future wood resource and communicating and educating the Tasmanian community on the benefit of trees on farms,” Minister Ellis said. 

PFT Chief Executive Officer Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski encouraged landowners to seize the opportunity to advance their farm forestry opportunities.

"PFT has been provided with $600,000 to deliver the program with the maximum amount a grant recipient can receive is $2500 per hectare."

An assessment panel comprising of representatives with forestry and agricultural expertise will competitively assess each application against the program objectives and assessment criteria.

Expressions of interest are now open and close at 5pm on March 1, 2024.To apply and view the full program guidelines, visit www.pft.tas.gov.au/stems-for-co2-funds-for-farm-forestry

Alternatively, interested landowners can call Private Forests Tasmania's Helpline on 1300 661 009 or email admin@pft.tas.gov.au