Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to rule out additional funding for the Latrobe Valley as the community comes to terms with the news Hazelwood power station and mine will close at the end of March next year.
Mr Andrews returned to the region on Friday to promote the State Government’s $266 million package designed to offset the loss of about 750 jobs brought about by the closure of Hazelwood.
The package includes measures designed to attract businesses to the region, but the Premier said he did not rule out more funds being required in the future.
“I expect we’ll have to make continued investments beyond this in future years, whether it’s our government or a future government,” Mr Andrews said.
“Problems that have been decades in the making will not be solved or dealt with in a few months or even just a few years.
“Hopefully we can get some early wins, get a real sense of confidence into the community that good things can come out of this and then with a lot of hard work we can hopefully have a steady stream of new investments, new businesses being made and extra jobs coming.”
On Friday the government announced businesses that purchased a $500,000 property to move into the region would be eligible to receive a $25,000 stamp duty reimbursement.
A ‘Red Tape Commissioner’ would also be appointed to break down regulatory barriers and facilitate the entry of business into the region.
The announcement followed Thursday’s news the State Government would establish the Latrobe Valley Authority to oversee economic transition in the region.
A worker transition centre will be established in Morwell and workers affected by the closure of Hazelwood will receive education, counselling, financial advice and subsidised job seeker training.
Mr Andrews summed up the criteria for businesses seeking to receive incentives to come the region in one word – “jobs”.
“If you’re creating jobs then we want to sit down and talk to you,” he said.
“We’re not going to be biased against one sector or another.”
The Premier said he hoped the transition would foster greater economic diversity in the Valley.
The Federal Government released its own $43 million package for the Latrobe Valley on Thursday, which included a $20 million regional jobs and investment package to provide help to small and medium businesses and a $20 million regional jobs and infrastructure fund.
State Member for Morwell Russell Northe said it was known for some time Hazelwood could close and called for more detail about the State Government’s package.
“There’s no comprehensive plan in place and detail in a practical sense of where these workers and their families will be supported,” Mr Northe said.
“They don’t necessarily want retraining or reskilling or counselling – they might accept that but it doesn’t provide the real outcome.
“What they want is real jobs.”
State Government allocates $20 million to establish a ‘Latrobe Valley Authority’ to be based in Morwell to manage economic transition with local input. Authority to be headed by Kylie White, a senior public servant, with a team of “about 20 people” including employment opportunities for locals.
State Government to establish $174 million Community Infrastructure and Investment Fund for local projects.
State Government to set up a special economic zone within Latrobe City, Wellington Shire and Baw Baw Shire with $50 million to lure businesses to the region.
State Government to provide a $22 million support package for Hazelwood workers and affected businesses.
Federal Government announced a $43 million support package for affected workers and families. It comprises of $3 million in employment support for Hazelwood workers, a $20 million Regional Jobs and Investment Package to assist local small to medium businesses, and a $20 million regional jobs and infrastructure fund.
