The Victorian Government will invest $35.7 million to ensure the state’s mineral and quarry sectors continue to grow and meet demand.
The move aims to support more than 7000 Victorians employed in the sector’s growing workforces, as well as the thousands of jobs the sector supports in construction.
The State’s infrastructure boom is dependent on local rock, sand and gravel, which is driving demand for regulatory approvals and industry support to ensure a pipeline of new and expanding quarries.
Funding of $10.6 million will go towards Victoria’s earth resource regulator to deliver timely regulatory approvals and improve key processes for industry and businesses.
A further $6.9 million will deliver work to ensure new quarries can be developed where resources are needed while ensuring land around them is not compromised, providing transparency for communities, and protecting the surrounding environment.
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The Geological Survey of Victoria will be further supported with $13.4 million to continue attracting new investment as the demand for minerals from the technology and renewable energy industries grows.
New funding of $2.4 million aims to improve legislation and regulation across the resources sector to reinforce rehabilitation and environmental safeguards, support greater community engagement and continue efficient processing of industry applications.
“The resources sector is a crucial part of our economic recovery – we want to ensure quarries can continue to provide the building blocks of our infrastructure program and create more jobs,” Victorian Resources Minister Jaclyn Symes said.
“We’re making sure that efficient and responsible regulation of the sector goes hand in hand with the development of future sites – including the local community in decision‑making and leaving a positive legacy.”