- Published:
- Monday 3 July 2017
Work is ramping up on the largest dental prosthetics laboratory in Victoria, which will create 38 jobs and better care for people in the Latrobe Valley.
Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford inspected construction in Churchill today, where Gippsland firm BFN Developments is building the $5.33 million Latrobe Valley University Training Clinic and Dental Prosthetic Laboratory. BFN has engaged 20 Gippsland sub-contractors to provide goods and services to the project.
The Andrews Labor Government is investing $1.9 million in the new facility, which is being delivered by Victoria’s largest regional community health service provider, Latrobe Community Health Services (LCHS).
This project will help expand LCHS’s workforce and diversify its business, which will help to sustain its role as a local employer well into the future.
The facility is situated next to Federation University – a project partner – and provides an exciting opportunity for teaching and research collaboration between LCHS and Federation University. It will also provide specialist medical services to 3,000 Federation University students and over 920 staff.
When complete, the Latrobe Valley University Training Clinic and Dental Prosthetic Laboratory will include:
- A specialist laboratory to make dental prosthetics
- Three dental surgeries and consultation rooms for physiotherapy, podiatry and counselling
- Workspaces and offices to accommodate up to 35 staff, students and academics
- High quality environmental building performance through solar roof panels and water recycling.
The new facility will be the only dental prosthetics laboratory in Victoria with enough capacity to supply all Victorian dentists, which will reducing the need for imports.
The project is supported by the Government’s $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which is supporting projects right across the state that make regional Victoria a better place to live, work and do business.
The Commonwealth has also contributed $2.6 million to the project through its National Stronger Regions Fund.
The facility is on track to open later this year, delivering on a major Labor Government election commitment.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“This massive facility is creating local jobs, supporting local businesses and putting a smile in the Valley.”
“This project fills a gap in the market and will generate a new manufacturing industry in Gippsland, creating valuable new exports.”
Quote attributable to the Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“Our investment brings a world-class dental laboratory to the Valley, and will create local jobs, skills and training opportunities while also providing better dental treatment and care for Gippslanders.”