Alliance aims to build big

THREE organisations have united to form a new grouping seeking to support central Victoria’s manufacturing industries.

Called the Central Victorian Advanced Manufacturing Alliance, the coalition brings together the Bendigo Manufacturing Group, La Trobe University and the City of Greater Bendigo.

It is designed to support projects in the defence, aviation, waste, food and engineering sectors, and create up to 100 manufacturing jobs in the region.

The CVAM alliance collaborated with the German Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering for three years to create a model to guide such projects.

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Cr Jennifer Alden said the manufacturing industry was “critical” to central Victoria’s economy.

“This local partnership will help secure, grow and transform the local manufacturing sector, and in turn support jobs and economic growth,” she said.

Representative of the Bendigo Manufacturing Group, Adam Hazeldene, said the alliance would help the region’s industrial makers be commentative on the world stage.

“The CVAM initiative will give our local manufacturing sector the tools it needs to be globally competitive,” he said.

The alliance is backed by $1 million in funding from the State Government.

Martin Pakula, the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, said project would “reap sustained reward” for Central Victoria.

“It will ensure manufacturing can grow, new markets can be accessed and the skills base of the workforce across the greater Bendigo region can continue to expand,” he said.