09 Feb 2018 Shepparton News, Shepparton VIC (General News) by Simon Ruppert NEW CONCRETE MANUFACTURING FACILITY TO CREATE HUNDREDS OF JOBS IN A BOOST FOR BENALLA Benalla will be the home of Victorias largest precast concrete manufacturing facility, which will provide 400 jobs and a massive boost to the local economy. The project was labelled a game changer for the town by Benalla Rural City Mayor Don Firth. This is a massive investment and its one that Benallas been waiting on for a long time, Cr Firth said. The number of jobs that are coming to Benalla are so significant its probably the biggest investment that Benallas seen at least since Thales, the ammunition factory, was built many years ago. This is significant and it really is exciting. The facilitys first job will be to provide concrete sections for the Westgate Tunnel project, and is expected to be operational before the end of the year. Ongoing and future infrastructure projects are cited to support up to 300 permanent jobs, with the extra 100 people to be employed during the construction phase. Roads Minister Luke Donnellan joined State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes in Benalla on Thursday to announce the site for the $60 million facility. This will be the largest precast facility in Victoria, creating hundreds of new jobs and providing a massive boost to Victorias manufacturing sector, Mr Donnellan said. Were making sure that all of Victoria can share the opportunities created by our massive program of major infrastructure investment. The massive factory will be operated by local businesses and will supply precast concrete for major projects across the state. The facility will be capable of producing up to 1500 tonnes of concrete product per day at peak capacity. Benallas access to road and rail infrastructure means the facility is well placed to supply future Victorian and interstate projects, creating ongoing economic benefits for Benalla and surrounding communities. To limit the number of trucks on local roads, the precast concrete segments for the West Gate Tunnel Project will be transported to Melbourne by freight train. A new 700 m rail siding will be built along the existing rail line in Benalla to provide a direct link between the precast facility and Melbourne. Ms Symes said the announcement was great news for her home town. Itll bring jobs for locals and a boost to economic activity that will be felt throughout the region, Ms Symes said. Construction will be under way soon and by the end of the year this will be Victorias biggest precast concrete manufacturing facility driving the local economy now and for many years to come. The West Gate Tunnel Project will provide an estimated $11 billion boost to the Victorian economy, creating 6000 new jobs. Construction of the Benalla precast facility is due to start in March, and it will be fully operational from October. Caption Text: Happy: State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, Benalla Rural City Mayor Don Firth, Victorian Roads and Road Safety Minister Luke Donnellan and Benalla Council chief executive officer Tony McIlroy discuss plans for a new concrete manufacturing facility in Benalla.Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.