December 7, 2015
A university training clinic and dental prosthetics lab in the Latrobe Valley has received $2,664,000 under Round Two the Australian Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF), boosting local jobs and improving community infrastructure.
The project, submitted by Latrobe Community Health Service (LCHS), will involve the expansion of the Churchill Community Health Centre into a two-storey, purpose built facility that will include three dental surgeries, consulting rooms, a respite centre, workspaces and offices, staff rooms and a student learning centre.
The total project is worth $6.13 million. LCHS and both the previous Coalition and current Labor Victorian state governments have also committed funding.
LCHS estimates the project will provide an additional 11 full time equivalent jobs during construction phase and 38 full time equivalent jobs once operational.
Students at the new training centre will work closely with nearby Federation University and adjacent Gippsland Medical School, through rural internships and rural post-graduate training.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the new precinct had been identified as a priority project for the Latrobe Valley.
“This funding from the Australian Government will provide further investment in the future of regional training and skills development in the Latrobe Valley,” Mr Chester said.
“With its proximity to the nearby university precinct, this new Churchill training clinic and dental prosthetics lab will help us train and retain more skilled medical professionals right here in Gippsland. We know that students who study in regional areas are more likely to return and practise in regional areas, and investments like these are important to ensuring that can happen.
“I would like to congratulate Latrobe Community Health Service on submitting a strong application that achieved the key NSRF criteria of addressing social and economic disadvantage. I also acknowledge the strong bipartisan support this project has received from both the Coalition and Labor state governments.”
The National Stronger Regions Fund is providing $1 billion over five years to promote economic growth and address disadvantage in Australia’s regions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss and Assistant Minister Michael McCormack announced $293 million for projects that were successful under Round Two of the programme, with 111 projects across Australia selected for funding.
Mr Chester said he would be strongly encouraging local councils and community groups to submit shovel-ready projects for Round Three of the National Stronger Regions Fund, with details to be provided shortly.
More information on the National Stronger Regions Fund, including a full list of successful Round Two projects and details on the application process, is available online at www.infrastructure.gov.au/nsrf.