A huge hole has appeared at the corner of Grey and Church Streets in Traralgon, but it won’t stay there forever.
Workers began excavating the hole in October. When they are finished, the hole will be a 74-space underground car park and the foundations of the Latrobe Creative Precinct.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester stopped by the site recently to watch the heavy machinery at work.
“The community has been waiting for a long time to see work start on the site,” Mr Chester said. “Now work is underway on the carpark and foundations, the building will take shape quite quickly next year.
“While there’s just a big hole in the ground right now, soon enough we’ll have an important cultural asset to be enjoyed by locals and draw visitors from beyond the Latrobe Valley.”
Mr Chester secured $10 million from the Federal Government for the $38.5 million development. The Victorian Government and Latrobe City Council also provided funding.
When complete, the precinct will have a 750-seat theatre, a multi-purpose studio, meeting rooms, a café and two outdoor event spaces.
“A project of this size provides valuable stimulus for the local construction sector and supports local jobs,” Mr Chester said. “When the precinct is finished, there will be up to 20 long-term positions available in the hospitality and arts sectors.”
The Latrobe Creative Precinct is expected to be finished in the second half of 2021.
