Monday 28^th September 2020

The Victorian Government is getting on with the delivery of up to 900 new free car parks across the Latrobe Valley, with tests underway to determine feasibility of the eight preferred sites in Moe, Morwell and Traralgon.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced the Latrobe City Council was conducting tests on the proposed sites, including three in Traralgon, four in Morwell and one in Moe.

Latrobe City Council endorsed the eight sites earlier this year following community engagement.

The early works, which form part of the Government’s $30 million Regional Car Parks Fund to deliver free car parking across the Latrobe Valley and at Ballarat, will also include a detailed project plan, site analysis and testing, identification of any site risks and detailed costings to prepare the sites for construction.

The $1 million early works program will be managed by Latrobe City who have committed to source local suppliers and workers where possible, as a member of GROW Gippsland. Ultimate construction of the car parks is expected to create around 40 jobs for the Latrobe Valley.

The carparks are in addition to the 53 new spaces at Morwell Station, which has been funded by the Government’s $9 million Gippsland Rail Corridor Station Upgrade Program, delivering upgraded facilities at Morwell, Moe, Traralgon and Trafalgar stations.

The carparks will add to significant Victorian Government investments to revitalise the Latrobe Valley, including the Hi-Tech Precinct – Innovation Centre, the TAFE redevelopment at Morwell, Latrobe Valley GovHub, the Latrobe Creative Precinct in Traralgon and the expansion of the Latrobe Regional Hospital.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“These early works are an important next step to delivering up to 900 car parking spaces across the Latrobe Valley – driving the creation of local jobs at a time when our communities need it most.”

 “We want to make the Latrobe Valley an even better place to live, work and invest and it’s important initiatives like this that make our towns more liveable and will support our region to bounce back sooner.”

 Quotes attributable to CEO, Latrobe City Council Steve Piasente

“With more people expected to shop and work in the central business districts of Moe, Morwell and Traralgon, it’s vital that Council plans for the future needs of these communities, and that includes adequate car parking.”

 “Council welcomes this funding support from the Victorian Government in order to deliver additional car parking spaces that will make the CBDs of these major towns more accessible and inviting for all.”