TWO community infrastructure projects in Latrobe City will be funded by the Federal Government.
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Member for Morwell Russell Northe announced $5 million for long overdue upgrades to the Morwell Recreation Reserve, which is home to local football, netball and cricket clubs.
In addition, the Federal Government committed up to $1.6 million for the Traralgon-Morwell Shared Pathway, a project the community had been advocating for since 1995.
Upgrades to sporting precincts and the pathway were identified in Latrobe City Council’s Strength Led Transition document.
Mr Chester said that with the impending closure of Hazelwood Power Station, local councils would find it harder to invest in community infrastructure, and they needed additional government support.
“It is important we invest in the sporting and community facilities which make our region a great place to live and work,” Mr Chester said.
“We need to build confidence in the future of the region.”
Mr Chester said the projects would not be a substitute for jobs, but community liveability and upgrades to infrastructure remained important.
“None of us believes projects like this are a ‘silver bullet’ but they certainly help our community in both the short term and longer term,” Mr Chester said.
“We are also working together on securing larger infrastructure investments and helping workers and businesses affected by the Hazelwood closure.
“It’s not going to be easy and we need to work together as much as we possibly can to deliver the best result possible for Gippsland and Latrobe Valley workers and their families.”
