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Private Forestry

Private Forestry involves growing trees on private land for commercial return. It is also often known as agroforestry or farm forestry. A number of regions in Victoria have the potential for successful private forestry. This site presents information and maps outlining characteristics that affect the potential suitability of land for private forestry, at both the statewide level and at regional levels.


Statewide maps include:
  • rainfall
  • geology
  • elevation
  • locations of hardwood and softwood processing plants
  • dryland average property values

These can be put together to develop a map of potential private forestry opportunities.

Photo: Blue Gum plantation in Goulburn Broken region.
Blue Gum plantation in Goulburn Broken region


The regional profiles outline the location of each region, its population, landform and soils, climate, land uses, types of tree species grown commercially and those with commercial potential, forestry industry centres, and where relevant, a description of the Private Forestry Development Committee (PFDC), their vision statement and objectives.

All regions throughout Victoria have maps outlining:
  • mean annual rainfall
  • hardwood/softwood processing plants
  • land values for dryland agricultural properties
  • Port Phillip and North East regions also have local private forestry opportunity (plantation productivity potential) maps.

  • Regional information is provided within PFDC boundaries and includes Gippsland Private Forestry Inc., Plantations North East Inc., Central Victorian Farm Plantations Inc., and Green Triangle Inc. (which encompasses western Victoria and parts of south-east South Australia). The Port Phillip and North West regions of Victoria are designated in the PFDC boundaries map below, but no PFDC exists for these two regions to date.

    Image:  Private forestry map
    Victorian Regional Plantation Committee Boundaries
    This map of Victorian Private Forestry Development Committee Boundaries, provides approximate boundaries between committee zones, and therefore provides an indication of the area and location of each region.

    Data used to generate this map was derived from boundaries established by the PFDC's as a result of the Commonwealth/ Victorian Government strategies "Plantations for Australia: The 2020 Vision" and "Private Forestry in Victoria: Strategy Towards 2020".

    The DPI Private Forestry site provides general information for landholders and investors interested in investing in and/or integrating trees into existing agricultural enterprises.

    Information includes;
  • Description of the Victorian Forestry Industry, including potential land base, land availability and market trends
  • Current State Government initiatives, including the Private Forestry Strategy, Forestry Rights legislation, Investment opportunities and Private Forestry incentives for landholders
  • Code of Forest Practice
  • Location and role of Agroforestry Networks, Private Forestry Development Committee (PFDC), industry contacts
  • Links to over 80 Farm Forestry Agriculture Notes
  • Descriptions of Agroforestry News
  • An outline of training opportunities

    Related Links

    The DPI website has a number of Farm Forestry Information Notes (that cover General Farm Forestry, Pests and Disease, Planning and Establishment, Species and Stand Management).


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