Victorian Govt launches $2.7B Building Works blitz to stimulate economy
6 days ago 2199
A $2.7 billion Building Works blitz will create 3700 direct jobs for Victorian construction workers as the State Government moves to stimulate the economy and get people back to work.
The Building Works package will go towards shovel-ready projects and provide jobs for painters, plasterers, gardeners, engineers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, maintenance workers, administration staff and more.
It also aims to create thousands more jobs across the supply chains, including manufacturing, logistics, transportation, warehousing and retail.
At the core of the package is a $1.18 billion investment into education infrastructure projects to create space for more than 21,000 extra students in the Victorian education system.
This will involve building 10 new schools, delivering four stages of new school projects, upgrading 57 schools, purchasing and refurbishing relocatable school buildings, modifying infrastructure for students with disability and providing maintenance to schools and TAFES around the state. These works are expected to generate 1600 local construction jobs.
The Building Works package also includes hundreds of projects that have been selected as they can get under way as soon as possible, with works to begin in a matter of weeks and months.
The key requirement for the projects is to have workers ready to get started right away, with companies required to find new employees through Working for Victoria in the first instance.
We’re getting to work on hundreds of new projects across the state, meaning shovels in the ground – and boots in the mud – within a matter of weeks and months,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“From upgrading our roads and rail, to critical maintenance for social housing and new projects for our tourist destinations, this package will create jobs for our local tradies and so many others – and support local businesses all over Victoria.”
The Building Works package also includes half-a-billion dollars to upgrade 23,000 public and community housing dwellings, as well as seeing 168 new homes built across the state.
Tourism infrastructure will also see a boost, with $382 million worth of upgrades, maintenance and new experiences planned at tourism destinations across the state.
Local sports facilities will also benefit, along with works to improve waterways and coastal areas.
Victoria’s transport network will receive $328 million for resurfacing and patching roads, with around 300 kilometres of regional track improvements, repairs at more than 15 train stations and maintenance to trams and trains.
More than $100 million will be invested into critical upgrades of Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Service stations, disability accommodation, mental health and aged care facilities around the state.
In addition, the State Government will also establish an $180 million planning and acceleration fund to keep momentum going as the recovery continues.
“We’ve always said Victoria is the engine room of the nation – with this package, we’re cranking the engine and kickstarting our economy,” Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said.
