The Victorian Government has fast-tracked another round of shovel-ready projects as the state emerges from its harshest COVID-19 restrictions.
A new swathe of infrastructure projects will be hitting Victoria, with $625 million of planning and permit approvals covering metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria.
Among the approved projects are a $130 million, 13-storey office building with ground floor and retail in Richmond, a $93 million 72-megawatt solar farm in Laceby, and a $116 million eight-storey office and commercial building in Frankston.
All approved projects have been prioritised, with the government now having approved more than $7.5 billion in projects since March as part of its ongoing economic recovery.
Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne announced the approved projects, which will take place alongside the state government’s launch of the Development Facilitation Program (DFP) which replaces the Building Victoria Recovery Taskforce that finished its term in August.
The DFP will identify priority projects in Victoria that can create investment certainty, positive short to medium term economic impact, job creation and broader goals such as emissions reduction.
“We know how important the building and development sector is to our economic recovery and we’re continuing to support the industry with a pipeline of shovel ready projects,” Wynne said.
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said the projects are necessary for Victoria’s economic recovery as restrictions ease.
“As restrictions ease, it’s crucial there’s an ongoing supply of projects to secure existing jobs, create more employment opportunities and keep investment coming into our state,” he said.