December 16, 2015
The push for a new performing arts centre in Traralgon has won the support from all three levels of government representation.
Federal MP Darren Chester today signed up to the Let’s Get It Built – from the Ground Up group, which is bringing together community support for the new Latrobe Performing Arts Centre.
He was joined by State Member for Morwell and chair of the Ground Up group Russell Northe, group spokesman and independent theatre producer Dan Clancey, and Latrobe City Mayor Michael Rossiter.
The project will need to attract local, state and federal funding to proceed. Mr Chester said it was important to have all levels of government working together.
“The project has been a long time coming and now it is a process of Latrobe City Council working with the State Government, and Federal Government, to secure the funding needed to get the project built,” Mr Chester said.
“The Federal Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund has $1 billion available over five years for projects such as this one. We have been successful in securing two projects in Gippsland already and I’m keen to work with Latrobe City Council to put forward the best possible bid for the next round of funding, which opens January 15 and closes in March.
“I am confident the council is going to put forward a strong business case and provide the best possible chance for this project to be supported by the Federal Government into the future.”
Mr Chester said he had already had discussions with the council’s leadership team about how it might apply for $8 million under the National Stronger Regions Fund.
State Member for Morwell Russell Northe said the Let’s Get It Built group had been formed to show that the community was behind the project.
“The new performing arts centre is going to create jobs in the Latrobe Valley and provide a new home for our arts community. It is therefore essential we show to all levels of government just how much the community wants this project to go ahead,” Mr Northe said.
Get it Built – From Ground Up is an advocacy group with the aim of securing funding for the performing art centre. It is aiming to take 5000 photos of people saying “Get it Built”, posted on its Facebook page.
CAPTION: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester signs up to the Get It Built – from the Ground Up group, with State Morwell MP and group chair Russell Northe, Latrobe City Mayor Michael Rossiter, and theatre producer Dan Clancey.
