May 12, 2015
Gippsland’s historic Port of Sale will be brought back to life after securing a significant funding grant in this year’s Federal Budget.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Sale Cultural Hub has tonight been allocated $4.5 million from the Federal Government under the National Stronger Regions Fund, which aims to boost investment in regional communities.
The project will create a total of 43 full-time-equivalent jobs, including:
• 27 FTE jobs in construction phase;
• 8.6 FTE ongoing jobs post-construction, via a new café and associated catering enterprise; and,
• 8.4 FTE jobs created as a result of the economic activity due to increased visitation to the developed hub and precinct.
“This is a huge win for the Sale community and surrounding towns, and will deliver an economic benefit for the region,” Mr Chester said.
“The Wellington Shire Council should be congratulated for putting together such a strong application.
“This is a great project, and it has succeeded because of the hard work of the team at Wellington Shire Council and the Sale community.”
Mr Chester said the project would breathe new life into the Port of Sale precinct.
“For too long, the Port of Sale has not been able to reach its full potential,” he said.
“This project will open it up to the wider community and create a new gateway to the Gippsland Lakes.”
The Government will provide $212 million in funding to 51 priority infrastructure projects nationwide in Round One of the programme, including the $4.5 million in Gippsland.
More information about the National Stronger Regions Fund is available online on www.infrastructure.gov.au/nsrf