The Andrews Labor Government is supporting retrenched dairy workers in the Indigo and Campaspe Shires affected by Murray Goulburn’s down-sizing.
Following recent discussions with impacted workers, Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaala Pulford today announced $50,000 for each council to undertake community economic development planning.
The Labor Government will also allocate $80,000 to allow the Victorian Planning Authority to develop a structure plan for the township of Tangambalanga.
The plan will be developed in close partnership with the community and will set out a clear direction for growth and development, boosting local job prospects and the economy.
The planning will identify priority actions to help manage the economic impacts of the facility closures, and develop investment attraction strategies to grow the local economy.
The Government will also extend the Rural Skills Connect Program by 12 months in the Murray Dairy region to support the community working groups of Tangambalanga (Kiewa) and Rochester.
These measures are a direct response to requests from the Indigo and Campaspe Shires, who are suffering from the staged closures of the Murray Goulburn manufacturing factories.
In addition to initiatives announced today, the Labor Government continues to support impacted dairy workers with its comprehensive $18 million dairy support package with industry.
This includes extending the ‘Supporting Workers in Transition’ workshops, identifying potential employment opportunities and extending the ‘Back to Work’ program to assist prospective employers to retrain Murray Goulburn staff.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“We know that workers and their families are facing challenging times and we will support these dairy communities right across the supply chain.”
“We’re doing everything we can to ensure these communities have a successful and viable future.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“We continue to stand by our dairy farmers and workers across Northern Victoria. The Andrews Labor Government has been there from the start and we will be there every step of the way.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
“Our Rural Skills Connect Program will be extended in the Murray Dairy region to help link retrenched workers with avenues for new employment.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020