24 Aug 2017 Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Wangaratta VIC (General News) by Jamie Kronborg State government funds dairy jobs incentives INDIGO mayor Jenny OConnor has welcomed Victorian government incentives for North East enterprises to employ people who have lost dairy jobs and additional funding to help Kiewa-Tangambalanga move from its long reliance on milk processing. Employees eligible for the job support package include redundant Murray Goulburn Cooperative workers retrenched as a result of the closure of the 125-year-old Kiewa-Tangambalanga milk processing plant, those from dairy farm households, and workers who have lost dairy farm jobs. The government is also giving Indigo Shire Council $50,000 to devise a Kiewa-Tangambalanga community economic development plan in response to the plant closure an outcome of MurrayGoulburns significant financial challenges. It has further made $80,000 available to the Victorian Planning Authority to develop a structure plan for the twin communities which have been forced to wear the co-op debacle. Cr OConnor said the raft of job support measures included payments of $5000 to employers who hire an eligible employee in a permanent full-time job in Victoria. Employers hiring a permanent part-time employee can claim $3750, she said. A further payment up to $4000 is available to eligible employers who provide accredited training to an eligible employee. The mayor has encouraged employers to enquire about prospective employees eligibility. Job seekers with a connection to the dairy industry need to speak up as well, she said. Continued page 2 Milk bucket fills with state government fund incentives Y From page 1 This is a great opportunity for businesses to support those connected with the dairy industry and the Murray Goulburn Co-op factory closures and receive a financial incentive to go with it. The government said the money made available to the Victorian Planning Authority would enable a structure plan to be developed in close partnership with the community. The plan would set a clear direction for growth and development, boosting local job prospects and the economy, the government said in a statement released last week. The planning will identify priority actions to help manage the economic impacts of the facility closures, and develop investment attraction strategies to grow the local economy, it said. Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said the government would support dairying communities across the supply chain in the face of challenging times. Were doing everything we can to ensure these communities have a successful and viable future, she said. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) said the government was standing by dairy farmers and workers in Northern Victoria. The Andrews Labor Government has been there from the start and we will be there every step of the way, she said. The government said the measures were made available in response to requests from Indigo and Campaspe shire councils, which were suffering from the staged closures of the Murray Goulburn manufacturing factories. It has already provided an $18 million dairy package, together with industry support. Cr OConnor said the dairy job package information was available at www.sro.vic.gov.au/backtowork or by calling the State Revenue Office on 13 21 61. Farmers and businesses looking for additional assistance could also contact Rural Skills Connect program manager Joanne Turner on 03 5722 7155 or email joanne.turner@ecodev.vic.gov.au. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.