News, features and updates from the LVA team
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UPDATE
Tuesday 18 April 2017
The Latrobe Valley Authority is helping local residents, businesses and community groups to transition towards a strong and diverse future.
Local leader to head up Latrobe Valley Authority
Long-time Latrobe Valley resident Karen Cain will take the reins as Chief Executive Officer of the Latrobe Valley Authority.
An influential public servant and local leader, Ms Cain will use her experience in working collaboratively with cross-sector, agency and community groups to continue the Authority’s work in supporting workers and businesses, cutting red tape and providing incentives for new business and industry seeking to expand or move to the region.
Ms Cain has worked with families and the community as a principal in government schools in the Latrobe Valley for 11 years, including Woolum Bellum Koorie School in Morwell, Traralgon College Junior Campus, and Lowanna Secondary College in Newborough. She has been a member of the Gippsland Regional Managers Forum for six years. For the past 21 years, she has owned and operated a commercial beef farm with her husband at Boolarra South.
Ms Cain takes the reins from Interim CEO, Kylie White, who has played an integral role in setting up and best positioning the Authority to help the community transition to a diverse and bright future.
Ms White retains a strong connection to the Authority and the Latrobe Valley, as she returns to the role of Executive Director of Energy, Resources and Environment at the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Worker Transition Service in high demand
Around 300 people have registered with the Worker Transition Service, which is available for Hazelwood workers, contractors, supply chain businesses and their families.
Contact the LVA to speak with our staff, who will assess your needs and connect you with services to give you the skills, training, information and personal support you need to a find new job, start a business, move into retirement or adjust to significant change. Our local partners, including GEST and Workways, are working closely with employers, tailoring training and support to meet individual needs.
Whether you need a new CV or financial advice, the LVA can point you in the right direction.
Latrobe Valley sporting investment to create up to 575 jobs
An estimated 575 jobs will be created in the Latrobe Valley following a $85 million investment in sporting infrastructure, which will see Gippsland become one of the top sporting hubs in regional Australia. The package will create 275 ongoing jobs and another 300 jobs during construction, which will start soon.
The package includes:
- $46 million for a new Gippsland Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Traralgon
- $17 million to redevelop the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex in Traralgon
- $5 million to upgrade nine local reserves
- $4 million to upgrade Morwell Recreation Reserve
- $1.7 million to upgrade the Latrobe Sports and Entertainment Complex in Morwell
- $3 million to upgrade the Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe
- $1.4 million for the Sale and Traralgon Tennis Centres
Worker Transfer Scheme secures power industry jobs
Around 150 highly skilled Hazelwood workers can transfer to other power generators in the Latrobe Valley as part of a landmark worker transfer scheme.
The $20 million scheme will help Hazelwood workers remain in the industry by allowing them to transfer to other power generators – in the first instance Loy Yang A, operated by AGL. The government also has secured an agreement with ENGIE to allow Hazelwood workers to move to Loy Yang B, which ENGIE also operates. Negotiations continue with Energy Australia, the operator of Yallourn Power Station.
Grants support Hazelwood supply-chain businesses
The first group of local businesses impacted by the closure of Hazelwood power station have been awarded grants through the Hazelwood Supply Chain Transition Program.
The program, which supports businesses who derive at least 20 per cent of their revenue from Hazelwood power station and mine and their supply chain, helps them to diversify by making funding available to review business transition plans, develop a new one, or engage merger advisory or business transition services.
Local businesses also can apply for funding through the $10 million Latrobe Valley Economic Facilitation Fund, which supports them to adopt new technology and innovative processes to sustain employment and create new jobs.
Community Facility Fund delivers benefits to towns
Latrobe Valley communities are benefiting from the $20 million Community Facility Fund, which is designed to make local towns more desirable places to live, work and visit, attracting people and jobs to the region.
Around 10,000 people attended this year’s Boolarra Folk Festival, which received $5000 from the Community Facility Fund to help run the event. Another recipient is the Latrobe Regional Gallery, which received $770,000 to help cover the cost of refurbishments so it can host international exhibitions and artworks from around the world.
Grants of up to $1 million are available to support projects such as community events, community space upgrades, town infrastructure and major upgrades. A second funding stream supports projects that increase community health, such as the development of parks, playgrounds and recreation areas, or upgrades to sporting facilities, walking tracks and bike paths.
Home Energy Upgrade Program to cut household bills
More than 200 households have registered their interest in the $5 million Latrobe Valley Home Energy Upgrade Program, which will help cut household energy bills by providing practical, energy-efficient upgrades to homes.
Up to 1,000 households across Latrobe City, Wellington Shire and Baw Baw Shire will benefit from up to $4,500 worth of energy upgrades, such as solar panels, solar hot water and energy efficient lighting.
As well as reducing energy bills for vulnerable local households, the program will boost local employment by engaging local business to carry out the work, including energy efficient assessments and upgrades.
More details will be available by the end of this month.
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