An expansion to Stawell’s Nectar Farms, announced on Tuesday, will create more than 1300 jobs for our region. 

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio announced a Memorandum of Understanding had been formalised for the $565 million project, which will build a huge wind farm with battery storage to power the expansion of Nectar Farms.

The co-located 196MW Bulgana Green Power Hub backed up by a 20MW battery will make the expansion a reality by providing the secure and affordable energy that Nectar Farms needs for its hydroponic greenhouses.

The news came one day after Yan Yean MP Danielle Green announced a co-investment at Ararat Abattoirs that that will secure 300 jobs and add 30 more.

The state government will provide $250,000 amid a $1.15 million investment into the lamb and mutton abattoir that will improve its production line and add value to its global exports. 

In an ever-changing environment where some industries are rapidly shrinking, it’s great news for the future prospects of employment in many areas. 

Particularly for Stawell, this week’s news – six months after Stawell Gold Mines ceased mining operations, making 150 people redundant – has to give people greater confidence. 

These are residents, families, skills and money that will remain – or even be brought into – our region on the back of new opportunities. 

Of course, with job creation also comes greater demand for schools, greater demand for housing and for all the services residents require and expect from their place of residence – be that health, business or transport. 

That potentially opens more doors – and so the flow-on effect continues. 

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data, released in May, showed that while 15,000 regional Victorians had found a new job in the three months to April 2017, the unemployment rate remained at 5.7 per cent – well below the nation’s regional unemployment rate of six per cent. 

This week’s announcements can only be a positive opportunity for our region. 

Jessica Grimble, editor