Friday, 29 March 2019

Early works construction has begun on the $35 million Latrobe Creative Precinct project which will elevate the Latrobe Valley as a regional centre for performing arts and creative education.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing, representing the Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes, marked the official start of construction with the turn of the first sod in collaboration with the Latrobe City Council and the Commonwealth Government.

The landmark project has been made possible by collaborative investment from the Latrobe City Council, the Victorian Government’s Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund and the Commonwealth Government

When complete, the Latrobe Creative Precinct will be a major driver of economic and creative development across the region and feature:

• A new 750 seat multipurpose theatre in Traralgon, including a balcony and stalls, industry leading auxiliary services and comprehensive public spaces including foyer, café restaurant, box office and visitor information;
• A refurbished existing Latrobe Performing Arts Centre for accredited and cultural education and training programs, smaller travelling performances and community performances;
• New and improved outdoor activity zones complete with additional infrastructure and landscaping;
• Enhanced car parking facilities; and
• A new events programme and suite of education activities.

The precinct will also link existing library and maternal child and healthcare facilities and provide more opportunities for surrounding organisations and services to host outdoor commercial and non-commercial activities.

A partnership between Latrobe City Council and Federation University Australia will provide new training opportunities across the arts, media and performance industries for regional primary and secondary schools and other education and training providers to utilise all the facilities that the precinct will offer.

The project will create more than 200 jobs and inject $59 million into the regional economy during the construction phase.

Over the longer term, the precinct is expected to grow Latrobe Valley’s regional economy by $5.4 million per annum and see more than 30 new jobs created.

The Latrobe Creative Precinct will be complete by the end of 2020.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes

“The Latrobe Creative Precinct will create more than 200 jobs, boost the Traralgon and Gippsland economies and importantly create more opportunities for students, professionals and the community to support and enjoy our creative arts, media and performance industries.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

As part of our record investment in the Latrobe Valley region, we are proud to have contributed $10 million towards this landmark project which will provide the state-of-the-art theatre and arts facilities that will drive events, local use and community pride for many years to come.”