Local businesses have been encouraged to bid for work on major infrastructure projects worth almost $1 billion dollars being rolled out across the state over the next 18 months.
A major project infrastructure briefing this week detailed how businesses could increase their chances of winning tenders on major projects across the Latrobe Valley in the coming years.
Industry Capability Network Gippsland advisor Colin Young said there was a broad range of projects that would appeal to businesses throughout the region looking to secure future work.
“There’s almost a billion dollars of regional work opportunities in this region that businesses can have a go at over the next 12 to 18 months,” Mr Young said.
“That ranges from road, rail, infrastructure and right across the spectrum. For example the local councils which were amongst the presenters spoke about their works programs.
“In the case of Latrobe some of the major infrastructure projects include the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre, the performing arts centre and numerous sporting projects right through to Federation Uni who are managing the contract for the Hi-Tech Precinct.”
The briefing included presentations on government-led and supported construction like the Regional Rail Revival and the GRAC and how Industry Capability Network can help local businesses to access opportunities on projects across Victoria.
Latrobe Valley Enterprises, which provides employment for people with disabilities, has been one of the beneficiaries having successfully tendered for a Melbourne-based project.
Chief executive Guy Webb said the work guaranteed the future of the region, the organisation and the prosperity of its employees.
“We picked up work out of the Cross Yarra Partnership project and also the Level Crossing Removal Authority project by making workplace signs for them,” Mr Webb said.
“With the amount of work coming up there seems to be a lot of opportunities.
“You would like to think it would become ongoing as one project finishes, the contractor moves to another and hopefully they’ll use us again.”
Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll said the introduction of the Victorian Local Jobs First Bill introduced to State Parliament this week would put local workers and businesses first by mandating 90 percent minimum local content on major jobs
