AGL Energy : Over 70 jobs created by AGL Gloucester Independent ...

Friday, 1 September 2017

Over 70 new jobs have now been created in the Gloucester region, with support from AGL's Gloucester Independent Community Legacy Fund.

AGL Head of Government and Community Relations Tony Chappel, said that the latest round of applications have been assessed, and financial support has been provided to an additional six local organisations.

'We are pleased to announce that Hunter Special Vehicles, Forbes Diary, Avon Valley Inn, Fox Den Café, Lone Pine Diary and Gloucester High School have been successful in securing support.

'These organisations will share over $700,000, creating 15 new employment opportunities in Gloucester, and enhancing educational opportunities for local students,' Mr Chappel said.

AGL established the $2 million Gloucester Independent Community Legacy Fund in 2016 to identify, and allocate financial support toward, initiatives that bring sustainable economic benefit or education and employment pathways to the greater Gloucester region.

'When AGL announced closure of the gas exploration project in Gloucester, we wanted to create ongoing opportunities and benefits for the region.

'Since we launched the Fund, we have supported the expansion and growth of local industries, businesses and organisations, and most importantly helped create local jobs.

'We have now provided over $1.8 million in grants from the Fund, and helped create 71 new jobs in the greater Gloucester region.

'With the money remaining in the Fund, we will soon run a final round, and we encourage local organisations to apply for AGL support,' Mr Chappel said.

The successful applicants are:

• GW & KW Forbes - 5 new jobs
  The GW & KW Forbes dairy is a local family farming business. Support from the Fund is expanding the operation, allowing for milking of an additional 800 cows.
  
• Hunter Special Vehicles - 2 new jobs
  Hunter Special Vehicles has been operating in the Gloucester region for over 23 years. Support from the Fund will assist with expansion plans and improve staff training.
  
• Avon Valley Inn - 4 new jobs
  The Avon Valley Inn has been in operation for over 100 years in the main street of Gloucester. Support from the Fund will assist with construction of a new function centre called the Avon Terrace.
  
• Fox Den Café - 2 new jobs
  The Fox Den Café is a local café on the main street of Gloucester. Support from the Fund will assist with expanding and upgrading the kitchen and installation of pizza ovens.
• Lone Pine Dairy - 2 new jobs
  The Lone Pine Dairy farm is a 100 year old 4th generation local dairy farm. Support from the Fund will be used for capital expansion projects.
  
• Gloucester High School
  The Gloucester High School is a comprehensive school of approximately 360 students. Support from the Fund is being used to create a STEM Pipeline Program, and enhance the existing links between local industry, business and schools.

The Gloucester Independent Community Legacy Fund has also supported the following organisations:

• Bercol Logging Pty Limited - 10 new jobs
• Drifta Camping Kitchens Pty Limited - 20 new jobs
• Gloucester Pre-School - 14 new jobs
• Leveltec Engineering Pty Limited - 9 new jobs
• Woven Image Pty Limited - 3 new jobs

Information about the Gloucester Independent Community Legacy Fund is available from:

Left to right - Amer Hussein from AGL, Ian Negline from Avon Valley Inn and Tanya Cameron Chair of the Gloucester Independent Community Legacy Fund.

About AGL
AGL is committed to helping shape a sustainable energy future for Australia. We operate the country's largest electricity generation portfolio, we're its largest ASX-listed investor in renewable energy, and we have more than 3.6 million customer accounts. Proudly Australian, with more than 180 years of experience, we have a responsibility to provide sustainable, secure and affordable energy for our customers. Our aim is to prosper in a carbon-constrained world and build customer advocacy as our industry transforms. That's why we have committed to exiting our coal-fired generation by 2050 and why we will continue to develop innovative solutions for our customers.