UPDATE

Thursday 7 December 2017

An update on what the Latrobe Valley Authority is doing to support workers, businesses and our community.

Countdown to the Valley Smash

Just over a week to go until some of Australia’s best cricketers bring all the excitement of the Big Bash League to Gippsland in the Valley Smash. The Melbourne Stars take on the Hobart Hurricanes under lights at Traralgon Recreation Reserve on Friday 15 December from 6.30pm. The clash will feature some of the world’s premier T20 cricketers including James Faulkner, Ben Dunk and John Hastings.

There will be a sporting activation zone for kids from 4.30pm on game day with Melbourne United (basketball), Melbourne Victory (soccer), Collingwood Football Club (AFL and AFLW) and the Stars (cricket) providing interactive fun and entertainment.

In addition to the exhibition match, the Stars will deliver a range of community engagement activities on 14 and 15 December with schools and local cricket clubs in the region to build capacity, promote the benefits of physical activity, health and wellbeing, and encourage the next generation of cricketers to pick up the bat or ball.

The Valley Smash is being brought to the Latrobe Valley thanks to the Victorian Government’s $85 million Sports and Community Initiative.

Click here to buy your tickets for the Valley Smash.

Ladder to support Latrobe Valley youth

Young jobseekers in the Latrobe Valley will receive a kick-start to their career prospects with help from Ladder and the AFL industry.

A new partnership between the Latrobe Valley Authority and Ladder will deliver an 18 month pilot program to upskill disadvantaged youth, using the resources of the AFL to provide the skills necessary to secure ongoing work.

Designed specifically for young people, the program will add to a range of initiatives underway to support employment for people in the Latrobe Valley. It is part of the LVA's commitment to ensuring everyone, including local young people, are able to take advantage of our region’s growth through involvement in the workforce.

Ladder was established by a group of AFL players in 2007 in a bid to empower young people to break the cycle of homelessness and its consequences. Ladder is the Official Charity of AFL Players and a national partner of the AFL.

LVA 12 months on

In November we marked twelve months since the Latrobe Valley Authority was established. Over the past few weeks we’ve been working closely with our partners and stakeholders to seek feedback and views on our strategic direction, to ensure we are working effectively together and are aligned with community and business priorities. These priorities are crucial to informing our work leading into 2018.

Your feedback is always welcome. We are always keen to hear from members of our community for new ideas and advice.

Local businesses briefed on major contracts

An industry briefing on the Metro Tunnel Project will be held in the Latrobe Valley today to provide businesses with an overview of the rail network transformation project and an outline of the local procurement process.

The Metro Tunnel will create a new end-to-end rail line from Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham, with high capacity trains and five new underground stations – at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain.

The industry briefing will be held on today - Thursday 7 December from 4pm to 6pm at Kernot Hall in Morwell. For more information and to register click here.

There will also be an industry briefing on the West Gate Tunnel Project held on Tuesday 12 December from 4pm -6pm at the Premiere Function Centre in Traralgon. For more information and to register click here.

Solar panels for Gippsland Woodcraft Group

Gippsland Woodcraft Group will benefit from reduced power bills after receiving a grant from the Latrobe Valley Authority’s Community Facility Fund to install solar panels to their Nambrok-based workshop.

Through the installation of solar panels, the group is expected to save over $1,000 per year in energy costs resulting from use of their high powered woodturning equipment.

The savings will mean the club can maintain its current fee structure for members, which will help to retain and grow membership.

It will also ensure the long-term viability of the volunteer-run woodcraft group, which provides woodwork classes for local Nambrok school children and woodcraft products for a number of local businesses.

The Latrobe Valley Authority’s Community Facility Fund has so far provided funding for 31 projects, for a total of over $1.2 million injected into community events and infrastructure throughout the region.

Helping local people access our growth industries

The Latrobe Valley Authority is working closely with our industry and training providers to assist people to access jobs in our growth industries

One such example is the solar installation course being run this week for local A Class electricians to upskill to design and install grid-connected PV systems. The course is being offered at Federation Training’s Morwell campus in partnership with Holmesglen and Latrobe Valley Authority.

The need for the course was identified during the development of the New Energy Jobs and Investment Prospectus and will result in greater use of local contractors to meet the rising demand in Gippsland's solar industry.

As well, a Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport is being offered by Federation Training in conjunction with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, to meet increased transport demands within the health sector.

Anglicare to move to bigger Morwell office

Anglicare Victoria will soon move to a bigger office in Morwell, creating 20 new jobs.

The not-for-profit organisation provides a range of support services to children and families throughout Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley, helping to engage local youth and improve general health and wellbeing in the region.

The expansion is the result of funding from Regional Development Victoria's $10 million Latrobe Valley Economic Facilitation Fund which is helping businesses grow, attract and facilitate new private investment and boost their export potential.

Grants have so far supported 16 businesses to expand and to create nearly 300 jobs in the Latrobe Valley, with a combined total of $21.3 million invested into the local economy.