Retail hub a step closer
Victorian Regional Development Minister Mary-anne Thomas has used a visit to the Wimmera to inspect the progress of a major Rupanyup Community Retail Hub.
Ms Thomas joined Yarriambiack Shire Council and business representatives on the visit to the site, with work on an anchoring supermarket on track to be finished by the end of this financial year.
The retail hub project has attracted $500,000 in State Government funding. Yarriambiack Shire Council is providing $400,000 for the project and Rupanyup-minyip Community Bank has also been a funding partner.
The government provided the money through its Regional Infrastructure Fund, part of its flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.
Ms Thomas noted how the project, employing about 35 tradespeople during construction, was generating work in the rural farming community.
Plans are that the supermarket will employ six full-time equivalent staff when completed, offering employment opportunities to district people.
Work started on the supermarket in October last year.
Enterprise Rupanyup, Erup, is driving the Rupanyup Community Retail Hub project and working on a partnership with prospective supermarket operators. The organisation is also
“We envisage construction to be finished in early July” – Malcolm Uhe
exploring second and third stages of the project, subject to funding, that include open public areas and extra retail spaces to further develop the hub precinct.
Erup chair Malcolm Uhe said the project was ‘progressing nicely’.
“We envisage construction to be finished in early July and then for it to be fitted out with shelving and stock and probably opening about Septemberoctober,” he said.
Ms Thomas said the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund helped businesses create jobs in regional Victoria, support community projects and aided municipal councils to develop cultural projects of economic significance.
“We are making sure our regional communities have the infrastructure they need to thrive – attracting more people to live, work and invest in regional Victoria,” she said.
Labor Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford added, “Rupanyup is a mighty town, with much to offer for both tourists and residents – it’s great to see the significant investment the community is making to enhance the liveability of the region, and a fullservice supermarket is a great place to start.”