Friday, 18 May 2018

The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with creating hundreds of new jobs and securing tens of millions of dollars in private sector investment to grow the Latrobe Valley’s economy for today and the future.

Premier Daniel Andrews today visited Latrobe Valley Bus Lines at their Traralgon workshop to meet with workers who have gained employment after being directly affected by the closure of Hazelwood.

With strong support from the Labor Government, the company is looking to become the first in the State to run hybrid buses. This will enable the company to not only reduce emissions but costs as well, with former Hazelwood and Carter Holt Harvey workers given a new start as the company ploughs these savings into new jobs.

The bus company has also invested in their state-of-the-art heavy-vehicle maintenance workshop in Traralgon, which presents an opportunity for future growth for both themselves and others who will be able to use the facility.

As part of the visit, the Labor Government announced $2.7 million from the Latrobe Valley Economic Facilitation Fund to five businesses that will create another 257 new jobs and generate over $36.3 million in local investment.

Thanks to this package of support, Victoria Valley Meat Exports will invest $7.5 million in upgraded facilities to support growth in key export markets in the United States and South East Asia, creating 89 jobs. Other companies to receive funding include Mecrus, Riveria Farms, Trafalgar Medical Centre and Gibson Groundspread.

Since it was created the Latrobe Valley Economic Facilitation Fund has created 836 new jobs and delivered

$86.9 million of private investment. This builds on the Labor Government’s $266 million support package for the Latrobe Valley, which is delivering economic growth and creating new jobs.

The Valley will also share in the Growing Regional Opportunities for Work (GROW) initiative that is set to bring business, government, community organisations and individuals together to address local disadvantage.

This program is about creating jobs by encouraging businesses to use local products and services, and by embedding social procurement in contracts with training and employment targeted in areas of high unemployment.

Since November 2014, there have been a total of 3,100 new jobs created across the Latrobe-Gippsland region.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews:

“We’ll always stand up for the Latrobe Valley and thanks to this dedicated fund we’re backing local businesses to create jobs and deliver the strong future that hard working families deserve.”

“Whether it’s fixing the Gippsland Line, rebuilding local schools or supporting businesses to deliver new jobs, the Labor Government is getting it done right across the Latrobe Valley.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“These fantastic jobs announcements are another vote of confidence in the Latrobe Valley workers, industries and businesses – we’re backing them all the way to grow and create new jobs.”

“We’re proud of the skills and expertise we have here in the Valley and we’re working hard every day to create hundreds of new jobs thanks to this unique fund.”