The Victorian Government is throwing its support towards the establishment of an Australian-first electric aircraft development centre in Gippsland in collaboration with Dovetail Electric Aviation.
The Dovetail Electric Aviation Development Centre at the Latrobe Aerospace Technology Precinct in Latrobe Regional Airport, is expected to create around 90 highly skilled jobs in the state over the next five years, advance sustainable air travel, and bolster Victoria’s clean energy sector.
According to the Victorian Government, Dovetail will retrofit regional aircraft with batteries and hydrogen propulsion to enable zero-emission flights, lessening aviation’s environmental impact. The company’s research and potential flight testing capabilities will help transition the local aviation industry to clean energy sources.
“Securing Dovetail’s footprint in the precinct is another win for advanced air mobility in Victoria and our clean energy economy,” State Economic Growth Minister Tim Pallas said.
“It will make a valuable contribution to our research and development sector.”
State Jobs Minister Natalie Hutchins said the government is “backing the clean energy sector and advanced air mobility supply chain to create more highly skilled jobs as we lead the decarbonisation of aviation”.
A Deloitte Access Economics report found the advanced air mobility sector could increase Victoria’s gross state product by $2.8 billion over 20 years and create 1300 annual jobs.
“We are honoured to receive Victorian government support which will accelerate our R&D efforts toward a sustainable, efficient aviation future,” Dovetail CEO David Doral said.
Latrobe City Council Mayor Darren Howe welcomed “the collaboration with emerging technologies” to “establish new industry and investment” in advanced air mobility.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the centre “will deliver innovations for aviation, create regional jobs and contribute to emissions reduction goals”.
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