More than 450 homes and businesses in Wandong-Heathcote Junction will soon have access to cheaper and cleaner energy, with the Victorian Coalition Government and Envestra reaching an agreement to connect the town to the state’s natural gas network.

Acting Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan announced the agreement today, another triumph of the Coalition Government’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund – $1 billion quarantined for regional and rural spending.

“This excellent project will see more than 450 Wandong-Heathcote Junction households and businesses get the option to switch to natural gas, which generally costs about one-third the price of bottled gas,” Mr Ryan said.

“These savings will spur development in Wandong-Heathcote Junction, making it more attractive to residents and businesses. It is an example of the Coalition Government building for growth, and investing in a prosperous future for this important regional community.

“Envestra will oversee construction of approximately 1.3 kilometres of supply and trunk pipeline and more than 11 kilometres of reticulation pipeline to connect the town to natural gas, and the network can be extended as Wandong-Heathcote Junction grows.

“Opportunities to develop existing businesses and establish new ones will give the local economy a significant boost, and lead to a better quality of life for residents.

“The Coalition Government’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund, set aside specifically for regional and rural spending, has delivered yet another victory for regional and rural Victorians.”

Mr Ryan said it was estimated that Wandong-Heathcote Junction would have access to natural gas by the end of 2015, pending approval from the Australian Energy Regulator.

“In order for the development agreement to be completed, Envestra is conducting a Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) study to finalise a detailed project design and costs,” Mr Ryan said.

“The FEED study commenced in April and is expected to be completed in July 2013, with the aim being to have Wandong-Heathcote Junction connected to natural gas by 2015.”

Meanwhile, Mr Ryan said Labor’s regional spokesperson Jacinta Allan, along with Labor member for Northern Victoria Candy Broad and Federal Labor MP for McEwen Rob Mitchell, should apologise to the people of Wandong-Heathcote Junction for their blatant scaremongering and dog-whistle politics.

“Ms Allan, Ms Broad, Mr Mitchell and Labor deliberately created uncertainty in the Wandong-Heathcote Junction business community for the sake of some cheap political points. They have aimed to create the impression that the Coalition would not deliver gas, repeatedly trying to scare Wandong-Heathcote Junction residents and businesses,” Mr Ryan said.

“Labor confirmed in 2010 that it would connect no more regional towns to gas. The Coalition Government has delivered, no thanks to the constant claims it couldn’t be done – and whingeing and whining – from Labor.”

For more information about Wandong-Heathcote Junction’s connection, please visit http://www.envestra.com.au.  Read More

The Victorian Coalition Government’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund will help create a further ten new full-time manufacturing jobs in the Latrobe Valley.

Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan, Member for Morwell Russell Northe announced today that the Coalition Government would provide $250,000 to assist Steeline Gippsland expand its Traralgon operations.

Mr Northe said the Steeline Gippsland Expanding Capability Project would see a total of $4.4 million invested at Steeline’s Eastern Road site.

“Steeline will invest in a new larger purpose-built factory that will enable the company to increase its manufacturing capability by acquiring additional manufacturing equipment,” Mr Northe said.

“Investing in new premises and equipment will allow Steeline to expand its market share – increasing its range of roofing materials, wall cladding and guttering.

“This, together with improvements to factory layout and sales capability, will provide opportunities to lower costs and increase profits.”

Mr Northe said the expansion would provide a significant boost for the local economy and create more employment opportunities in the Latrobe Valley.

“A new factory and infrastructure will have an immediate impact on Steeline’s productivity, and, as a result, a positive influence on the Latrobe Valley economy,” Mr Northe said.

“From the outset 10 full-time manufacturing jobs will be created, in addition to the nine existing positions which will be retained, increasing the skills base in the local area.”

Mr Ryan said the $250,000 in Coalition Government funding had been secured through the $15 million Latrobe Valley Industry and Infrastructure Fund – a part of the larger $1 billion Regional Growth Fund.

“Already the Regional Growth Fund has delivered more than $9 million for 31 projects in the Latrobe Valley, sparking a $27.4 million economic boost and creating 135 jobs,” Mr Ryan said.

“More than $3.7 million of that funding has been allocated through the Latrobe Valley Industry and Infrastructure Fund, which has generated 127 of those jobs.”

Mr Ryan said in the past month alone, the Coalition Government had contributed to several other major infrastructure projects through the Latrobe Valley Industry and Infrastructure Fund.

“This includes $250,000 towards a $545,000 expansion at Morwell’s Pinegro, allowing the company to significantly grow its business and create 10 new full-time jobs,” Mr Ryan said.

“Other projects funded through the Latrobe Valley Industry and Infrastructure Fund have included $490,000 towards Lion's Morwell $2,642,423 electricity line upgrade, $280,000 towards a $576,000 improvement project at Hydro Australia and $326,000 towards the Fisher’s Pallet and Wood Treatment Upgrade, a project worth a total of $964,382.” Read More

The Victorian Coalition Government will provide Destination Gippsland with $40,000 to create a new social media campaign, Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan said today. Read More

A new $11.78 million pipeline will supply potable water to Golden Plains Shire’s 4,000 hectare intensive agriculture precinct, boosting existing farming businesses and attracting new producers to the region.  Read More