Alinta Energy, one of Victoria’s largest energy suppliers, will soon establish its customer operations at the newly completed Innovation Centre in the Latrobe Valley, creating over 230 jobs for the region.
The Victorian Government wholly funded the $17 million centre, which is the centrepiece of the Gippsland High-Tech Precinct, through the $40 million Latrobe Valley Economic Development Program established in 2016.
The Victorian Government has also supported Alinta Energy through its investment attraction and Jobs Victoria program, enabling the company to commit to bringing its customer contact operations from the Philippines to the Innovation Centre.
Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing, said, “This announcement is really positive news for the Valley – not only does it support local jobs, but it also continues our commitment to provide opportunities for growth in key industries.”
The commitment from Alinta Energy to set up a principal operations hub for its retail business within the centre builds on the company’s close community ties to Gippsland through its Loy Yang B Power Station.
Alinta Energy MD and CEO, Jeff Dimery, said, “We’re establishing a new customer contact centre in Victoria so we can provide even better service and support to our customers.
“We thank the Victorian Government for their support to make this possible.”
Victorian Minister for Regional Development, Mary-Anne Thomas, said, “This centre will play an important role in the region’s transition and economic recovery – promoting different ways of doing business and fostering the innovation that will ensure the Valley’s best days are ahead of it.
“The centre complements the special Economic Growth Zone designation and the high-speed broadband improvements we’ve delivered to the Valley’s jobs precincts, helping to attract new businesses to the region.”
The Innovation Centre is being managed by Federation University, with researchers to work closely with energy experts from the private sector to develop potential energy solutions.
Vice Chancellor of Federation University Professor, Duncan Bentley, said, “This centre will be a lighthouse for innovation for the region, hosting events, accelerator programs and start-up business programs as they collectively seek to create new economic opportunities for our regional economy.”
The Innovation Centre will also host educational programs like the new subsidised Gippsland-based Master of Business Administration program providing business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders the tools to overcome challenges in their own organisations such as help with marketing and networking.
The Innovation Centre will also work with the adjacent Gippsland Tech School and TAFE Gippsland to ensure students have access to a broad range of opportunities and create better pathways to higher education, research and industry.
Built to the highest environmental standards, key features of the new Innovation Centre include a 100-seat conference facility, commercial tenancies, and an innovation hub to promote creative thinking and practice.
