An $872,000 Brumby Labor Government grant to build crucial heavy vehicle roads in Finn Street Industrial Estate has paved the way for Hofmann Engineering to begin its relocation from Perth to Bendigo and creating 150 local jobs.
Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said the funding would support the construction of a purpose-built heavy vehicle road in the new five-lot Finn Street Industrial Estate and allow Hofmann to relocate to Bendigo.
“The estate will become home to Hofmann Engineering, which will invest about $10 million in its new Victorian base, creating up to 150 new jobs in the next five years,” Ms Allan said.
“The Brumby Labor Government is providing vital support to regional industry through investment in the right infrastructure to create jobs now and lock in regional and rural Victoria’s future.
“Hofmann Engineering’s move to Bendigo is a win-win – it is great news for our manufacturing industry and great news for regional Victorian families thanks to the 150 new jobs it will bring.”
Ms Allan said developing the excess land from the 34-hectare Thales Australia-owned estate would also help boost industry in Bendigo creating new jobs as other businesses moved into the estate in addition to Hofmann.
“The availability of extra allotments, especially near central Bendigo, will help grow the local economy through new investment and the creation of new jobs,” Ms Allan said.
“It will also help Greater Bendigo City Council facilitate investment from new or growing businesses in the Bendigo region.”
The $3.3 million estate development project involves building the eight metre-wide road that has capacity to carry gross loads of up to 200 tonnes.
Other project components include drainage, electricity, water, sewerage, gas, communications and car parking, site decontamination and installation of security fencing.
Ms Allan said Brumby Government funding for the project would be provided through the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund to Greater Bendigo City Council.
“The Regional Infrastructure Development Fund has been very successful in leveraging investment to deliver vital infrastructure projects across Victoria,” Ms Allan said.
“To date, the fund has provided more than $553 million to more than 351 projects worth more than $1.4 billion across regional and rural Victoria.”