latrobe funding

POTENTIAL local investment projects, involving several companies, are tipped to seek "substantial" Federal Government funding through a new joint ministerial forum for Gippsland.


Latrobe City Council mayor Ed Vermeulen told The Express yesterday there were seven companies on council's "radar" which were "ready to invest in this region" but required government support to "provide certainty".



He said some of the projects included brown coal to urea opportunities, a hydrothermal de-watering project and a briquette manufacturing facility.



Cr Vermeulen said council was also aware other investors had been dealing directly with the Federal Government about potential assistance.



News of the new investment opportunities followed a visit to the Latrobe Valley this week by Federal Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean.



Mr Crean signed an 'Agreement for Co-operative Arrangements' with State Regional and Rural Development Minister and Deputy Premier Peter Ryan to formalise a joint bi-partisan government commitment to support the region's transition to a low carbon economy.



Both men heralded the agreement as a significant undertaking to support and financially assist the economic diversification of the Valley in the face of what they recognised would be "challenging" circumstances.



Yesterday council moved to ease community concern the agreement might amount to little more than a political 'talk-fest', by



indicating its intent to push for tangible outcomes.



Cr Vermeulen said council was advocating for immediate government funding to secure new businesses and industries for the region, and to support the retention of existing ones.



Though confidentiality considerations prevented council from providing more detail at this stage, it was keen to assure the community there were "a wide range of opportunities in Latrobe City" which were being "actively pursued", Cr Vermeulen said.



The Federal Government intends to afford support to proposals which "stack up" in terms of sustainability, according to Mr Crean.


Hope Mr Simon Crean remembers Coldry that he endorsed last year.