Coles creates 1200 new jobs in Victoria COLES has given Victoria's job market a major shot in the arm with the creation of 1200 new positions over the coming year. In an employment coup for the state, the roles come as part of a $70 million investment by the supermarket giant to open 22 new supermarkets, liquor and Coles Express stores. It will also refurbish 17 existing stores. The 1200 jobs will be permanent in-store positions, with more than a third based in regional areas. And Geelong is set to be one of the key areas to benefit, with 800 in-store jobs to be created over the next two years. Coles managing director Ian McLeod said the Tooronga-based chain had made a concerted effort to invest in the state. "Since 2008, we've invested more than $3 billion in rebuilding Coles," he said. This financial year, we have an exciting investment program planned for Victoria. New Coles stores in the pipeline include a large-format supermarket at Craigieburn, which will be one of the biggest in Victoria, employing 150 people. Stores are also earmarked for Mill Park Lakes, Brighton and Cardinia Lakes before Christmas, and Cowes early next year. The group's $100 million investment in Geelong will come as a boost to a region hit by hundreds of job losses over the past year. These included 240 jobs cut by North Geelong-based Target which, like Coles, is owned by Wesfarmers. Mr McLeod said by 2015, Coles would open new stores at Waurn Ponds, Torquay, Lara and Drysdale, and expand the Corio supermarket. Coles employs nearly 28,000 people in Victoria. It comes as business and grocery groups joined forces yesterday to call for government action over petrol discounts offered by Coles and Woolworths. The Australian Retailers Association, the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia, the Australian Newsagents Federation and the Master Grocers of Australia labelled the discounts an "abuse of power." The scheme, which has offered reductions of up to 45c a litre, is being investigated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.