East Gippsland Mayor Natalie O’Connell and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Basford this week had an opportunity to brief Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on their shire’s infrastructure priorities and response to the drought.
Mr McCormack, who is also the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, was invited to Gippsland by local MP Darren Chester.
Mr Chester said he was pleased to give East Gippsland Shire the opportunity to speak directly to Mr McCormack.
“This was a great opportunity for the Deputy Prime Minister to hear from the council about its infrastructure priorities, such as new infrastructure to grow the tourism economy and water security for the Lindenow valley ,” Mr Chester said.
“Importantly, it was also a chance to hear about the work East Gippsland is doing to assist our farmers during this drought and work out what more can be done to help them.”
The Federal Government is investing more than $1 billion in infrastructure funding to Gippsland, including $418 million for the Gippsland Line rail upgrade, $86 million to replace the Avon River rail bridge, a total of $342 million for the Princes Highway duplication project, $25 million to upgrade the Princes Highway east of Sale, $5 million each for the Great Alpine Road and Monaro Highway, $3 million for the Hope Restart Centre near Bairnsdale and $1.5 million to build mountain bike trails near Omeo.
