The Allan Labor Government is unlocking new regional industrial land for business and industry investment.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes today visited O'Brien Logistics' new headquarters in Wodonga to launch the new $15 million Trunk Infrastructure Fund.
These projects are all about economic growth and encourage job and business creation in country Victoria.
Trunk infrastructure - such as water, power and sewerage infrastructure, road network connections and NBN access - is essential to enabling new business investment in our regions.
From today, the Trunk Infrastructure Fund will offer grants of between $500,000 and $2 million to help develop or expand key sites, including industrial estates and employment precincts.
Investments in trunk infrastructure can enable significant economic benefits and jobs growth for local and regional economies, as demonstrated by the Logic industrial precinct at Wodonga.
Located on Australia's premium road and rail freight corridor, the Logic Industrial Precinct in Wodonga is a major logistics hub, capable of reaching more than two thirds of Australia's population with next day transport.
The Logic Industrial precinct is home to around 800 workers and a wide range of businesses from the advanced manufacturing, transport and logistics, and industry training sectors.
The precinct has become one of the premier industrial hubs in regional Victoria - securing around $400 million in private sector investment.
A major development at the precinct saw O'Brien Logistics establish a new multi-million-dollar facility with support from the Labor Government, which has created 30 new local jobs and brought 140 jobs into Wodonga.
Applicants will need to provide a co-contribution investment for their project. Applicants in Victoria's 38 rural councils and Alpine resort areas will contribute at least one-third of the project's value, while those in the 10 regional city council areas are required to contribute at least half.
As stated by Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
"Through our Trunk Infrastructure Fund, we're helping create more industrial land to draw new investment into our regions - this will mean stronger supply chains and more local jobs."
"This is the Labor Government's latest investment into making rural and regional Victoria an even better place to live, work, experience, invest and study."
As stated by Dean O'Brien, Commercial Manager of O'Brien Logistics
"The success of the Logic Precinct will strengthen the capability of existing industry while attracting new investment into our region."
