Cr Emerson said he welcomed the visit by State Treasurer Tim Pallas, who reaffirmed the government's commitment towards jobs growth.

Mr Pallas toured both Stawell Gold Mines and Frewstal abattoir during his visit.

"We were very fortunate to have the Treasurer here in Stawell visiting both the mine and the abattoir," Cr Emerson said.

"He came here to have a look at where the funding that the State Government promised in the lead up to the election was going.

"Part of that was $1.75 million towards the Underground Physics Laboratory. The Treasurer is just as excited about the laboratory as we are.

"Mr Pallas recognises that jobs are vital to regions such as ours and I'm glad he has continued down that path of focusing on jobs growth in our shire.

"Discussions have all been about jobs and we are very pleased with the government's focus on that."

Cr Emerson said during the meeting on site at Stawell Gold Mines, there was some discussion also on the proposed open cut mine at Big Hill.

The meeting was attended by Mr Pallas, Cr Emerson, chief executive officer Justine Linley, mine general manager ,Troy Cole and Environment and Community Manager, David Coe.

"There was a small discussion regarding the Big Hill open cut proposal," he said.

"The Treasurer advised us all that the open cut proposal is in the hands of the relevant Minister, who will make the decision should a decision be required to be made."

Cr Emerson said the treasurer was also delighted to be invited on a tour of the Stawell lamb and sheep processing plant at Frewstal.

"Funding in the budget was allocated to Frewstal to assist the company with future expansion," he said.

"The money will help the company obtain its export licence into China and this will mean a lot more exports for them.

"China is a very big market we are told. The company still has a few steps to take yet, butMr Pallas was very keen to see where the money would be spent and how it would assist the company in the future."

Mr Pallas himself worked in the meatworks during his school days and said it was a privilege to see how much a company such as Frewstal had grown over the years.

He said the Labor Government would be providing $500,000 towards an expansion of the Frewstal plant that will boost meat exports and create 30 new jobs.

"Frewstal is the largest private sector employer in the Northern Grampians Shire, with around 400 employees," he said.

"The company is aiming to boost its exports by 80 per cent towards new markets in the Middle East, USA, Canada, Europe, Japan, China, Malaysia and Indonesia. The $500,000 funding will support it to grow exports.

"The Labor Government is also investing $1.75 million in the Stawell Underground Particle Physics Laboratory, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

"The conversion of part of Stawell Gold Mine a full one kilometre underground will be used for a wide range of sensitive physics and biomedical experiments, including research into 'dark matter'."

The project is supported by the Northern Grampians Shire Council, the University of Melbourne, the Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence in Particle Physics, and the mine owner and operator, Crocodile Gold.

Stage one will create 15 jobs for skilled workers and stage two will create up to 200 jobs. The project will also provide international links and exposure for Stawell, the Grampians region and Victoria.

Mr Pallas said he was delighted to be delivering on jobs growth promises for Stawell.

"We promised that we would not abandon Stawell and we are digging deep to make sure it has a bright future," he said.

"This funding will allow Frewstal to expand, boost exports and take on new staff, as well as giving Stawell Gold Mine a new future - this is exactly what Stawell needs.

"Our Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund will create jobs, build infrastructure and strengthen communities not only in Stawell and Northern Grampians Shire but right across rural and regional Victoria."