The Victorian Government has announced a $21.5 million injection for regional Victorian manufacturing and aviation industry in the State’s 2011-12 Budget.

 

Minister responsible for the Aviation Industry Gordon Rich-Phillips said the State Government would provide $20 million over four years to expand the Regional Aviation Fund.

 

"This major investment will support the enhancement and upgrading of infrastructure at public-use airports across regional Victoria, which includes $5 million towards the redevelopment of Bendigo Airport," Mr Rich Phillips said.

 

An additional $500,000 has also been announced for a feasibility study into the possibility of Geelong scoring the rights to host the Red Bull Air Race.

 

"We are supporting local aerospace companies such as Marand and Chemring to establish world-class facilities in the Geelong Region, and the Coalition Government is also backing Avalon Airport as Victoria's second international airport," Victorian Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Richard Dalla-Riva said.

 

Mr Dalla-Riva said the Budget also included funding to enable the Geelong Manufacturing Council to develop a new industry program in partnership with Deakin University to boost manufacturing jobs in the Geelong region.

 

"We will be investing $800,000 over four years to expand the Geelong Manufacturing Council's partnership with Deakin to support local firms to innovate, promote skills development and engage tertiary students in the manufacturing sector," Mr Dalla-Riva said.