March 22, 2016
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he will back the Latrobe City community’s calls for the government to help fund a new Performing Arts Centre.
Latrobe City Council has made an application for $10 million from the Federal Government under the National Stronger Regions Fund. The total project is expected to be worth about $30 million.
Mr Chester received a hard copy of the council’s application during a Canberra meeting with Latrobe City Council Mayor Michael Rossiter, Deputy Mayor Sharon Gibson, CEO Gary Van Driel and Manager Economic Development Bruce Connolly.
Mr Chester has been in regular contact with the Get It Built community group and is a long-standing supporter of this project.
“This is exactly the type of development the National Stronger Regions Fund was set up to support,” Mr Chester said.
“I’ve read the council’s application and there is good jobs-growth potential for the Latrobe Valley with this project.”
Mr Chester said the fund attracted thousands of applications across Australia and applicants were not always guaranteed success on their first attempt.
“The NSRF is a competitive program – it is always over-subscribed and I can’t pre-empt the outcome of round three,” Mr Chester said.
“However, I will be lobbying the Minister responsible Fiona Nash to emphasise the Latrobe Creative Precinct project’s potential value to our region, and the economic and social challenges we face as a community.”
Mr Chester congratulated Latrobe City Council on its application and also commended the advocacy of the local community, particularly Dan Clancey and the Get It Built campaign team.
Mr Chester said State Member for Morwell Russell Northe had also been a strong advocate of the project.
CAPTION: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (second from right) in his Canberra ministerial office with Latrobe City Council Manager Economic Development Bruce Connolly, Deputy Mayor Sharon Gibson, Mayor Michael Rossiter and CEO Gary Van Driel.
