Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence (second from left) and Benalla Mayor Bernie Hearn (third from right) with other attendees at the announcement.
Photo by
Sharlene Baldo
The Victorian Government is supporting business expansion in Benalla with investment in a new freight facility that will create new jobs and boost the local economy.
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Agriculture Minister Ros Spence announced on Wednesday, April 23 that Midland Freight in Benalla would receive a $1 million grant from the Forestry Transition Fund to support the construction of a new $3 million multi-purpose freight facility.
Known to be the largest Forestry Transition Fund grant to date, the initiative will support the delivery of the new facility, which will feature an undercover freight transfer area, a new office, mechanical workshop, wash bays, driveways, fencing and security.
Midland Freight currently has 35 employees, and the project will create 10 new jobs — seven drivers, an office manager, a diesel mechanic and a forklift operator.
Midland Freight has been operating since 1989, providing a delivery service to north-east Victoria for companies including Fisher and Paykel, Haier, Australia Post and Team Global Express.
The current owners purchased the business in 2012.
A collection of Midland Freight trucks.
Photo by
Sharlene Baldo
The investment complements the work of the Future of Benalla and District Local Development Strategy, which aims to create new industries that will support Benalla’s economy in the future.
“Benalla is situated at an important transport corridor and this project will support the expansion of industry and manufacturing in north-east Victoria,” Ms Spence said.
Benalla Rural City Council has also received $500,000 from the Forestry Transition Program’s Community Development Fund to further progress the area’s LDS work.
The fund is open for applications, supporting job creation and business development in and around communities impacted by the end of native timber harvesting.
A $20,000 employment incentive payment for the employment of former native timber workers is also available.
“Benalla Rural City Council welcomes this investment in jobs for Benalla,” Mayor Bernie Hearn said.
“The Future of Benalla and District Local Development Strategy identifies Benalla Rural City as an important hub for regional logistics and this funding helps cement our place in this sector.”
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