JOB BOOST FOR DANDENONG

Manufacturers, precision component makers and food testing laboratories are just some of the businesses creating over 150 jobs in Dandenong, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, today visited the Eurofins Melbourne Campus – Asia-Pacific (APAC) Scientific Centre of Excellence in Dandenong South to announce over $3 million in Victorian Government support for a range of local projects to help generate jobs and drive investment in Dandenong.

Eurofins will create 50 new jobs with the development of a new laboratory to accommodate testing and support services for the food and environmental sectors.

The project is being supported through the Local Industry Fund for Transition (LIFT) program which is contributing to the economic development of regions impacted by the closure of automotive manufacturing.

Other LIFT grant recipients in Dandenong include Aquaworks and Aware Environmental creating 27 jobs and 30 new jobs respectively.

The Victorian Government is also supporting job creation through the Future Industries Manufacturing Program (FIMP) which assists Victorian companies to implement new manufacturing technologies, improve productivity and target new export opportunities.

Dynamic Steel Frame, Moondarra Cheese and precision metal component manufacturer AW Bell all received FIMP grants to boost investment and create around 50 jobs in total.

Victoria’s manufacturing industry contributes $27.7 billion to the Victorian economy, with over 13,000 businesses employing more than 280,000 people. It also exported $18.16 billion of manufactured goods in 2016-17.

The growth in manufacturing is backed by the Labor Government’s $130 million in manufacturing support which is creating over 6,000 jobs.