PM hands out $20m funding package for region

THE details of Geelong’s long-awaited Regional Jobs and Investment Package (RJIP) have been revealed, with $20 million to be shared between 21 projects.

LeMond Composites, based at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus, is the biggest recipient, receiving $5 million for the design and construction of Australia’s first carbon fibre manufacturing facility using new reactor technology developed by researchers at the nearby Carbon Nexus Laboratory.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited Carbon Nexus yesterday (Wednesday) to announce the successful applicants to RJIP.

He said that more than 600 new jobs would be generated through the construction phase of the RJIP projects as well as another 600 ongoing jobs, with just over 200 of those ongoing jobs in advanced manufacturing.

The Cape Otway Road Australia (CORA) proposal near Modewarre is the next biggest winner, getting more than $3.2 million to develop an ecotourism destination and retail precinct at Lake Modewarre to be part of the 650-acre development.

The Conservation Ecology Centre’s Wildlife Wonders project in Apollo Bay, the Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s Safe Harbour Precinct and Flat Glass Industries’ transition from automotive to architectural glass will all receive $2 million each.

Other successful applications to RJIP include:

• $1 million to Conflux Technology to construct an Additive Manufacturing and Engineering Centre (AMEC) at the Geelong Innovation Precinct to ensure a supply of highly skilled professionals specialising in the additive manufacturing
• $500,000 to the Anglesea SLSC for the redevelopment of the clubhouse to provide enhanced operations and training facilities, community amenity and event spaces, and
• $300,000 to Basils Farm to construct an outdoor cooking and instruction facility.

The long-awaited City Deal for this region is also a step closer, with Mr Turnbull and Victorian Acting Premier James Merlino signing a memorandum of understanding between the state and federal governments for a deal encompassing Geelong and the Great Ocean Road.