The Victorian Government has announced $15 million for 10 regional infrastructure projects aimed at helping businesses expand, including upgrades to support manufacturing, food processing and logistics operations.
Minister for Rural and Regional Development Michaela Settle announced the projects at Parwan Industrial Precinct near Bacchus Marsh, alongside a further $12.5 million for the Trunk Infrastructure Fund to support additional regional business growth and job creation.
At Parwan, a water pipeline upgrade is expected to unlock up to 190 hectares of industrial land for new and expanding businesses. The project will improve water supply for agribusiness, food processing, manufacturing and logistics, building on the Government’s earlier investment in a gas connection.
The upgrades are being delivered in partnership with L&G Meats, Honed Projects, Greater Western Water, REEDS Consulting and Moorabool Shire Council.
Other projects include utility upgrades at GV Link Enterprise Park in Mooroopna, Mansfield Enterprise Park and Alpine Commercial Estate in Wangaratta, as well as new road connections at Morwell’s Icon Industrial Precinct and sewer infrastructure at Campbells Acres in Bairnsdale.
In Bendigo, upgrades to water, power, sewerage, roads, technology and solar infrastructure will support businesses at Howard Street Industrial Precinct. New roads and essential services at Gibbins Drive Industrial Estate in Cohuna are also intended to make more land available for local businesses.
On the Bellarine Peninsula, recycled water infrastructure will support food producers, wineries and tourism businesses around Portarlington, while a new sewer pipeline in Halls Gap will support tourism businesses and visitor attractions.
“Labor’s $15 million Trunk Infrastructure Fund will deliver the infrastructure regional businesses need to invest, expand and create jobs through investments like water pipeline upgrades in Parwan,” Settle said.
She said strengthening regional infrastructure was important for business investment and growth across Victoria.
The fund forms part of the Victorian Government’s Economic Growth Statement and builds on what it says is more than $50 billion invested in regional Victoria over the past decade.
The Government has also committed a further $12.5 million to the fund, with details of the additional projects yet to be specified in the announcement.
