The Andrews Labor Government has announced that they will be providing a further $5 million in funding towards the construction and operation of the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL).
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes was on hand to make the significant announcement at the site of the Stawell Gold Mine last Thursday, which will put Stawell on the map internationally as a leading location for dark matter research.
The $5 million funding boost adds to the $5 million in funding that was received by the Federal Government earlier this year.
The SUPL project involves the construction of a physics laboratory over one kilometre underground at the Stawell Gold Mine to conduct groundbreaking research, which could help unlock hidden secrets of the universe.
Mayor of Northern Grampians Shire Council, Cr Kevin Erwin said, "This is a very exciting day for the Northern Grampians Shire as this significant investment will allow the laboratory to be constructed and also have the experiments conducted."
"We'd like to thank Minister Symes and the Andrews Labor Government for their incredible support of this project, which will also mean the creation of local jobs and education opportunities within the community."
Minister for Regional Development, Jaclyn Symes said, "I'm so proud to announce this project and put Victoria's scientific expertise on the world map. The Stawell Underground Physics Lab will not only position us as a leader in dark matter research, but it will also bring local job opportunities and investment to the region."
"With nearly 80 ongoing jobs connected to the lab, this project will diversify Stawell's economy – attracting a new highly-skilled workforce to the region to live and work."
The project is a collaboration between Australian universities (University of Melbourne, University of Adelaide, Australian National University, Swinburne University, and the University of Western Australia), Australian National Nuclear Research and Development Organisation, Princeton University and the Italian Institute for Nuclear Physics.
