Work has begun on the Latrobe Valley’s new world-class dental laboratory and medical training facility, thanks to a $1.9 million investment from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford today inspected the early stages of construction at the Latrobe Valley University Training Clinic and Dental Prosthetics Laboratory site in Churchill.
The project will diversify Gippsland’s health industry, increase the region’s training and research capacity and create 38 local jobs. The new facility 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 staff, students and academics
- High quality environmental performance due to 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 reduce the need to import products from overseas markets.
When complete, it will fill a gap in the market and generate valuable new export opportunities for the Gippsland region.
The facility is situated next to Federation University – a key partner in the project, and will provide medical services to 3,000 Federation University students and over 920 staff.
The project is supported by the Labor Government’s $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which is creating jobs, boosting local economies, and strengthening communities in rural and regional Victoria.
The Commonwealth has also contributed $2.6 million to the project through its National Stronger Regions Fund.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“This project will diversify the Latrobe Valley manufacturing industry and provide training for more skilled workers in the region.”
“The world-class medical training centre and dental prosthetics laboratory will put the Latrobe Valley on the export map.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“This is great news for Churchill and our region, creating 38 new high value and skilled jobs in the Valley. It will help to establish Gippsland as an industry leader in rural primary health and the dental prosthetics workforce.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020