The grants round of the Latrobe Valley Regional Jobs and Investment Package (RJIP) is now open for applications.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the announcement followed the publication of the committee’s Local Investment Plan.
“This is a great chance for the Latrobe Valley to create more jobs in the industries we want for our future,” Mr Chester said.
“Our local committee has chosen the investment priorities and the Coalition Government is supplying $20 million to create jobs in those fields.
“This is a genuine partnership between locals and the Federal Government I look forward to seeing what applications are put forward.”
Mr Broadbent said the Local Planning Committee chaired by Latrobe City Business Tourism Association’s Peter Ceeney had developed a Local Investment Plan that would guide sustainable, long term jobs in the Latrobe Valley.
“The Coalition Government is proud to give the Latrobe Valley a $20 million investment for the future,” Mr Broadbent said.
“The Coalition Government’s $20 million investment in the Latrobe Valley is part of our $43 million Hazelwood investment package. This comes addition to the $435 million we have allocated to infrastructure projects in the region since the power station’s closure.
“This investment is about creating jobs that will employ locals for years to come, and build the type of local infrastructure that will make people want to live and stay in the Latrobe Valley.”
The Latrobe Valley Local Investment Plan will focus on the following key areas:
• Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace and Defence
• Education & Training and Research & Development
• Energy and Resources
• Food and Fibre
• Health and Social Assistance
• Professional Services
• Visitor Economy
The Nationals Deputy Leader and Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash, who visited the Latrobe Valley in December to announce the policy, said the announcement followed the publication of the committee’s Local Investment Plan.
“I aim to help build the type of communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to, and allowing local communities like the Latrobe Valley to take control of their own destinies does that,” Minister Nash said.
“I thank the Latrobe Valley Local Planning Committee members for their local investment plan and their hard work in writing it.”
Funding will be available across three streams: Local Infrastructure, Business Innovation and Skills and Training, with the round open for applications until 5pm AEDST, Friday 17 November 2017.
For more information and to read more about the Local Investment Plan for the Latrobe Valley, visit the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages website.
