Funding for 1000 jobs: Coalition backs projects

THE Abbott Government has committed to funding regional developments projects left under a cloud after Labor lost office.
Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said a newly-established Community Development Grants Program would fund $8.1 million worth of local projects.
The program will give $3 million to Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases and $4.17 million to Golden Plains Food Production and Employment Precinct at Lethbridge.
Ms Henderson said stage two of Torquay’s Banyul Warri Fields Youth Recreation and Play Zone would receive $500,000 and $480,000 would go to a Meredith Integrated Community Hub.
The first two projects were accepted under the former Labor government’s Regional Development Australian funding but agreements to supply the money were unsigned before the election.
Ms Henderson said the combined projects would create almost 1000 jobs.
“The projects will provide a much-needed jobs boost to communities across our region and much-needed community infrastructure.
“This diverse range of projects will also provide a host of fantastic new opportunities.
“The Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (GCEID) will play an important role in protecting regional health, food safety, food security and biosecurity.
“The creation of GCEID will be a national first: bringing together clinicians, researchers and animal health specialists that will stimulate investment and mitigate the economic risk of emerging infectious disease outbreaks.”
Ms Henderson said the project would create 107 jobs during construction and 30 highly-skilled, ongoing positions.
She said the Golden Plains Food Production and Employment Precinct project was “a huge boost” for local agriculture, creating 775 jobs over 10 years and generating $160 million of industry investment.
The $11.78 million project will construct a 12.5km water pipe to a 4000Ha intensive agriculture project at Lethbridge.
Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons said the announcements followed “concerted” lobbying of the new Government.
Golden Plains Mayor Jenny Blake said the agriculture project had a “large number of investors lined up” awaiting final confirmation.
She said the project had the potential to drive food export from the region to Asia through Avalon.
“We can harvest it today, process it tomorrow and have it in Asia the next day.”