Question details

Regional Development Victoria (RDV) works to unlock the economic potential of Victoria’s regions through development, partnership and delivery of projects.

In the Latrobe Valley this has included partnerships with:

• Latrobe Magnesium – taking a waste product from coal fired energy production and processing it through a first stage magnesium facility in the Latrobe Valley. Once operational this facility will create 43 new full-time jobs and an estimated 75 indirect jobs.
• Habitat Creation – a thriving Gippsland business, expanding in Moe and Yarragon, creating 9 new jobs, adding to its existing 60 employees.
• Bidfoods – construction of a cold storage wholesale food distribution facility at Kirwin Road, Morwell, investing $13.35 million and creating 40 jobs in the Latrobe Valley.
• Elecsome Solar Panel Recycling Facility, Kilmany – contributing to Gippsland’s net zero economy story, the project will upcycle solar panels into new materials for the construction sector, creating 30 new jobs.
• Bambach Cables, Rosedale – purchasing and commissioning new cable and wire equipment at its facility, positioning it to support the defence industry and rail project opportunities, creating 13 new jobs.
• Moe Safetech – expansion of an advanced manufacturing facility in Moe creating 20 new jobs.

RDV is also continuing the work of economic diversification to guide the long-term economic shift towards sustainable industries in Gippsland.

The Gippsland Logistics and Manufacturing Precinct (GLAMP) on the Princes Freeway at Morwell is a 69-hectare industrial development project aimed at boosting the local economy and positioning Latrobe as a freight and manufacturing hub. Stages 1a and b were funded by a $15.4 million Victorian Government investment. The Australian Government has committed funding of $10 million to the precinct. Construction and infrastructure connections for Stage 1a have been completed and Latrobe City Council is currently assessing EOIs from prospective tenants. Outcomes from this process will be available once commercial negotiations have concluded. Stage 1b is expected to become available in early 2027.

With technical support from Melbourne University, RDV continues to investigate the potential for the Latrobe Valley’s unique geothermal asset to unlock investment in the Valley. The quality of this energy source is considered to be world class and well positioned to support manufacturing, food production and jobs growth. 

The Council Support Package provided $5 million to Latrobe to fund projects enhancing business support, liveability and visitor experiences with projects expected to be completed by 2026. Projects include expanding free public Wi Fi, accessibility upgrades for tourism businesses and public works by local artists.

The Victorian Government is investing in two initiatives designed to boost jobs growth through innovation in the agriculture and energy sectors, the Future Food Project and the Gippsland New Energy Coordination project.

• The Future Food project will support a Gippsland Circular Economy Hub and provide Agribusiness with practical tools to identify Circular Economy solutions and practices as well as other supports. It will also explore vertical farming operations and training by partnering with regional stakeholders including Federation University and GippsTAFE in addition to exploring seaweed cultivation and market trials.

• The Gippsland New Energy Coordination project will support the Gippsland New Energy Conference 2025, the most significant Regional Energy Conference in the country. It will also support a range of other energy transition projects including a Gippsland Youth Summit 2025 and connect students and young people with renewable energy projects and study opportunities across Gippsland.

Across Gippsland, a $54 billion pipeline of more than 25 large renewable energy projects will support job creation and consolidation of Gippsland’s energy expertise while helping to ensure Victoria is on track to meet its ambitious emissions reduction targets.

Jaclyn Symes MP

Minister for Regional Development