Investment priorities set

Priorities for investment in Gippsland by the State and Federal governments have been sent to members of parliament in the region by advocacy body Gippsland Regional Plan Leadership Group.

A document listing nine categories where funding is needed to support the region’s development has been prepared by the group that comprises the Committee for Gippsland, Regional Development Australia Gippsland and Regional Partnerships Gippsland.

C4G chief executive officer Jane Oakley said the list of projects would be the basis of the group’s advocacy to governments to ensure investment is directed into the right areas.

Heading the priorities is creating world class freight, passenger and export transport infrastructure through upgraded rail and road facilities and expansion of the Port of Hastings to drive future prosperity in the region.

The document proposes Gippsland become a clean energy hub and hydrogen cluster the utilising existing skilled workforce and natural resources.

Financial assistance is also sought for Federation University and vocational education and training providers as well as development of centres of excellence in fields including new energy, carbon innovation and biomanufacturing.

According to the regional advocacy group there are opportunities to stimulate local manufacturing industries through mandated local content provisions for government contracts.

An innovation fund to foster expansion of tourism in the Gippsland and encouragement for metropolitan-based people and new migrants to re-locate to regional areas have also been suggested.

Health infrastructure needs would require investment by governments in a new West Gippsland Hospital (indicative cost $500 million) and stage three of the Latrobe Regional Hospital masterplan ($200 million).