Monday 23 September 2019

Construction is kicking off on the Andrews Labor Government’s Latrobe Valley GovHub project, a key milestone for the purpose-built facility which will be home to 300 workers in the Latrobe Valley once complete.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today officially turned the first sod on the project with Castlerock Property, which will be a key local employer even during construction – with 100 jobs and 75 per cent of building materials and services sourced locally from the Latrobe Valley to support the local economy during construction.

More than 100 contractors attended a recent Industry Capability Network forum to hear about upcoming opportunities at the GovHub – signalling strong interest from the local business community to contribute to the project.

From today, Castlerock Property will be on site to oversee the works, with construction activities have been carefully planned to minimise noise and other disruption as excavation work begins on site to lay foundations.

The three-storey GovHub will deliver a $15 million boost to the local economy every year, and is on track to reach job targets with Parks Victoria, Earth Resources Regulation and Solar Victoria confirmed as tenants.

The GovHub’s design reflects the Latrobe Valley’s industrial history – with the building’s roof taking cues from the bucket wheel dredges that have been a feature of the region for generations.

The Labor Government’s investment in the GovHub is part of the $266 million Latrobe Valley transition package, boosting local jobs and encouraging the decentralisation of roles and services from Melbourne to the Valley.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“The Latrobe Valley GovHub will be the first of its kind completed in Victoria – and I can’t wait to see it come out of the ground and revitalise the Valley when it opens in late 2020.”

“It was incredibly exciting to see this project begin today, and officially kick-start the opportunities it will bring to our economy through the creation of jobs during construction and well into the future.”