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Joint Government Funding To Assist Airport DevelopmentIncreased employment opportunities and business investment are the winning outcomes for the Latrobe City region with the opportunity to further develop the Latrobe Regional Airport as the aerospace industry By Latrobe City - 13th June 2012 - Back to News hub in Gippsland.
Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Ed Vermeulen, said that the continued development was made possible by a grant of $3 million from the Federal Government’s Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) and a further $1.24 million from the Victorian Government’s Regional Aviation Fund (RAF).
"This is a great example of what can be achieved by both the Australian and Victorian Governments cooperating to enable job creation opportunities to evolve in industries outside of those traditionally associated with the Latrobe Valley. This funding is vital for us to not only transition but transform our economy in the lead up to the clean energy package introduction on 1 July 2012.
"GippsAero is Australia’s only commercial aircraft manufacturer. It is growing its operations at Latrobe Regional Airport and these grant funds will enable the building of infrastructure to allow its continuing expansion, securing their place in our region. GippsAero is a major employer in our region with its employment level estimated to exceed 200 this year, with further growth planned with new aircraft production in the future." Cr Vermeulen said.
Councillor Graeme Middlemiss, a member of the Latrobe Regional Airport Board, said the joint Federal and State funding of $4.24 million would enable the provision of utility services to a further 5 hectares of land adjacent to the current GippsAero facility.
"The funding will also allow for reshaping and draining of the site, and to generally prepare the land ready for the factory expansion that will be required to put the GA18 Airvan into production. When that expansion is completed the Latrobe Regional Airport is expected to have 300 permanent jobs in the aerospace industry on the site and will be firmly established as a significant employment hub within the Latrobe Valley; and one that is not aligned to the power industry.
"The project will enable the upgrade of ageing infrastructure such as the runway lighting system and taxiways, complete the construction of the main apron area, provide a PAPI landing system which is used as a landing aid for aircraft in bad weather conditions and for night operations. These upgrades will be of great assistance to emergency services aircraft using the Latrobe Regional Airport as well as providing job opportunities in the aerospace industry.
"Both the Australian and Victorian Governments are to be congratulated on recognising and acting upon this opportunity to assist the Latrobe region in this project," Cr Middlemiss concluded.
Media Enquiries:
Media Relations Team
Telephone: 5128 5458 or 0409 797 498
Jacinta Kennedy, Manager Community Relations
Telephone: 5128 5421 or 0401 824 195
For general enquiries, contact Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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