The opening of VicForests' new regional headquarters at Woori Yallock will see 30 jobs relocated from VicForests’ Healesville and Melbourne offices, boosting Woori Yallock’s local economy.
Officially opening the new headquarters today, Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford, said the new facility reinforced VicForests’ commitment to Victoria’s timber industry.
The new office on Symes Road in Woori Yallock will allow VicForests to base more staff in the Yarra Valley, providing easy access to VicForests’ operations in both Victoria’s North East and West Gippsland regions.
Staff at the site will work alongside other land management organisations such as Parks Victoria, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and the Country Fire Authority.
The site will integrate corporate and regional roles covering field-based work such as forest planning, surveying, harvesting, road and regeneration tasks, as well as sales, stakeholder engagement, finance and management.
As Australia’s largest supplier of high quality hardwood sawlogs, Victoria’s forest and wood products industry brings significant value to the state in terms of employment, income and the expenditure it generates in Victorian communities, particularly in regional areas.
About 380 businesses are directly involved in the growing, services to forestry, and primary processing sectors of Victoria’s timber industry, providing rural, regional and metropolitan jobs for 21,000 people.
As Australia’s largest forest product exporter, Victoria exported $684 million worth of forest products in 2013-14, while forestry businesses using Victorian timber generated up to $1.78 billion in business expenditure in 2011-12.
Since its establishment, VicForests has generated more than $1 billion in timber sales, achieved almost $16 million net profit and returned total dividends to the state in excess of $5.3 million.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“VicForests’ new regional headquarters will boost local economic growth and give the Yarra Valley community certainty.”
“We support a strong and viable timber industry.”
“We will continue to collaborate with our wood and forest products industry to address issues facing the industry so we can better drive economic growth and create jobs across the state.”
Quotes attributable to VicForests’ Chief Executive Officer Robert Green
“This is a good outcome for Woori Yallock and will see the town benefit from additional economic activity.”
“The timber industry remains an important part of the Yarra Valley region and we want the community to be reassured that we are here for the long term.”
“This move allows us to base ourselves long term in the Yarra Valley and remain part of its community. We look forward to continuing to have a presence in the region and contributing to the local economy.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020