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BRIDGE UPGRADE FOR ALBERT RIVER ROAD NEAR YARRAM
A narrow, single-lane bridge near Stacey’s Bridge, west of Yarram, will be made safer with funding secured by Gippsland MP Darren Chester under the Federal Government’s Bridges Renewal Program. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Albert River...
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$3 MILLION FOR HOPE RESTART CENTRE REHABILITATION CENTRE FOR GIPPSLAND
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured $3 million of Federal Government funding to support the development of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Victoria’s east. Mr Chester said the $3 million allocation had been made towards the...
read moreMORE SUPPORT FOR FIRST AUSTRALIANS IN BAIRNSDALE WITH OUTREACH TO LAKES ENTRANCE
Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative will be able to provide additional intensive case coordination in Bairnsdale with outreach to Lakes Entrance, thanks to a $312,928 investment by the Coalition Government. • More mental health, drug and alcohol...
read moreASSISTANCE FOR LATROBE VALLEY CARTER HOLT HARVEY TIMBER MILL WORKERS
The Turnbull Government has today extended assistance available through the Hazelwood Structural Adjustment Package to Carter Holt Harvey workers who will be impacted by the impending closure of the Morwell timber mill. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and...
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NEW $3.3 MILLION BRIDGE TO MAKE BUCHAN ROAD SAFER
A timber, single lane bridge over the Buchan River at Buchan will be replaced with a new $3.3 million structure. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured $1.665 million in Federal Government funding to replace the Buchan River bridge under round...
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NDIS AVAILABLE IN GIPPSLAND NEXT MONTH
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will next month be available in Latrobe, South Gippsland, Baw Baw and Bass Coast local government areas. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the NDIS rollout would mean the number of people with a...
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CANBERRA CATCH UP WITH YOUNG INDUSTRY LEADER
Interesting people regularly stop by to catch up with the Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester in Canberra. It was no different when Alex Keith, an agronomist and a triathlete from Wy Yung, called in to see Mr Chester at his Parliament House office last week....
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ENTRIES NOW OPEN FOR 2018 PHOTO CALENDAR COMPETITION
Amateur photographers across Gippsland are being encouraged to help promote the region by submitting photographs of their favourite places to visit for the annual #lovegippsland calendar. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today launched this year’s calendar...
read moreMAJOR OIL PROJECT WEST SEAHORSE GETS HELP WITH APPROVALS
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed news the Federal Government renewed Major Project Status for an oil project off the Gippsland coast. The West Seahorse Project aims to develop an important oil reservoir 14 kilometres off Ninety Mile Beach...
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LATROBE VALLEY REGIONAL JOBS AND INVESTMENT PACKAGE (RJIP) OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
The grants round of the Latrobe Valley Regional Jobs and Investment Package (RJIP) is now open for applications. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the announcement followed the publication of the committee's Local Investment Plan. “This is a great...
read moreSUPPORT FOR CALLS TO EXTEND LIFE OF POWER STATIONS
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has strongly endorsed calls by a former Energy Minister to extend the life of power stations to ensure Australia’s energy supply. Former federal government Minister Martin Ferguson told an audience in Canberra last...
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STREET ART REVIVES DULL LANEWAY IN SALE
Local artist Jeremy Kasper is turning an unremarkable laneway in the heart of Sale into a work of art. If you head down the laneway leading off Raymond Street to the rear of the Sale RSL and Community Club, you’ll find a large mural taking shape honouring the ANZACs...
read more$600 MILLION GAS PROJECT FOR ORBOST AND GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed Cooper Energy Limited’s declaration of a final investment decision (FID) for the Sole gas project, which will see a $250 million upgrade to the Orbost gas plant. The total project is valued at $600 million...
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LOCAL COMPANIES URGED TO BID FOR GRSC HOCKEY COMPLEX WORK
Local companies are being encouraged to bid for construction work at the new $3 million hockey field and pavilion in Sale. Wellington Shire Council has advertised for tenders to construct three components of the new hockey precinct being built at Gippsland Regional...
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NEW TAFE CAMPUS COMMITMENT FOR SALE WELCOMED
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today welcomed a commitment by his State Parliamentary colleagues to build a new TAFE campus in Sale. Shadow Minister for Training, Skills and Apprenticeships Steph Ryan, The Nationals Member for Gippsland South Danny...
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TOURISM BOOST FOR GREAT ALPINE ROAD
Communities along the Great Alpine Road are expected to receive a welcome boost from increased tourist traffic travelling the popular touring route. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said an upgrade of the road designed to boost safety would attract...
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TEMPTING MOTORISTS TO BREAK THEIR TRIP IN CANN RIVER
Cann River will be a more attractive place for motorists to break their journey after the completion of a $50 million upgrade of the Princes Highway. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said while the final works program was still to be confirmed, it...
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TOURISM AND BUSINESS BOOST FOR SOUTH GIPPSLAND
Local tourism and business in South Gippsland will benefit from a $10 million safety upgrade of the Hyland Highway between Traralgon and Yarram. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the highway upgrade would make the area more attractive to...
read moreHELPING TO PROMOTE PAYNESVILLE’S MARITIME HISTORY
Paynesville Maritime Museum has received Federal Government help to boost its public presence. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today announced the museum would receive almost $1850 from the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme...
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LAKES ENTRANCE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY TARGETTED
Pedestrian safety has been identified as one of the top issues to be addressed as part of a $50 million roadworks packaged announced for the Princes Highway east of Sale. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced $50 million last year to improve the...
read moreNEW TAFE CAMPUS COMMITMENT FOR SALE WELCOMED
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today welcomed a commitment by his State Parliamentary colleagues to build a new TAFE campus in Sale. Shadow Minister for Training, Skills and Apprenticeships Steph Ryan, The Nationals Member for Gippsland South Danny...
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$20M FOR EXPANDED AGRICULTURE AND MORE JOBS IN THE MACALISTER IRRIGATION DISTRICT MID2030
• $20m in federal funding will soon flow for a project to modernise water infrastructure in the Macalister Irrigation District, with the Australian and Victorian governments agreeing to a schedule for delivery of the project. • This funding delivers on a key...
read moreLATROBE PERFORMING ARTS TENDER OPENS
Tenders have opened today for the architectural design of the new Latrobe Creative Precinct. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Federal Government, Victorian Government and Latrobe City Council had each committed $10 million to build a new creative...
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CALLS TO EXTEND WORKER TRANSITION PROGRAM TO CARTER HOLT HARVEY WORKERS
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is supporting efforts for a worker transition program to be made available to Carter Holt Harvey employees in Morwell. Mr Chester has asked his Ministerial colleagues to extend the same Federal Government Structural...
read moreNEW HELP TO BOOST EARLY LEARNING IN MORWELL
Child care providers in Morwell are being encouraged to apply for government funding to address the barriers preventing disadvantaged and vulnerable families accessing early learning services. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said applications for the...
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BUCHAN RIVER BRIDGE UPGRADE A PRIORITY PROJECT
A bridge connecting Buchan and Orbost in East Gippsland has been nominated as a priority for safety upgrades. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the ageing Buchan River timber bridge on Buchan-Orbost Road was an important connection for the two...
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RESEARCH AWARDS NOW OPEN FOR YOUNG THINKERS
Gippsland’s bright, young scientists, researchers and innovators are being encouraged to apply for up to $22,000 to help fund their research project ideas. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said more than 220 young thinkers had received almost $3.5...
read moreFOCUS ON LURING PRIVATE INVESTMENT TO GIPPSLAND
Extra focus will be put on growing the economy and creating jobs under a shake-up of Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees, The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced. The Gippsland RDA committee will be tasked with proactively targeting...
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MID NEXT STAGE TO DELIVER $50 MILLION ANNUAL ECONOMIC BOOS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said he was looking forward to works progressing on the next stage of the MID2030 Macalister Irrigation Modernisation Project. With stage one now complete, Mr Chester said the Federal Government had committed $20 million to...
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ROADS UPGRADES INFORMATION SESSIONS: PRINCES HIGHWAY, GREAT ALPINE ROAD, MONARO HIGHWAY
Community information sessions will be held in East Gippsland next week ahead of major upgrades to tourism routes across the region. VicRoads is conducting information sessions on Wednesday (August 23) to discuss priority works proposed for the Princes Highway east of...
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STUDENTS DEBATE WORLD ISSUES IN CANBERRA
Member for Gippsland and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester met with two students participating in a national conference where young people get a chance to debate global issues. Jordan van Rhyn and Hayden Radford together with Rotary District...
read morePLANNING PERMIT FOR REHABILITATION CENTRE WELCOMED
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed news a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre has been approved for construction at Lucknow. Mr Chester said he supported the granting of a planning permit to build the Hope Restart Rehabilitation and...
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ENHANCING ABC SERVICES IN RURAL AND REGIONAL AUSTRALIA
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today welcomed amendments to the Media Reform Package to enhance the ABC’s focus on rural and regional Australia. The Coalition’s reform package is now before the Senate and seeks to update laws and regulations...
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LINDENOW’S KING OF SALAD TAKES OUT 2017 AUSTRALIAN FARMER OF THE YEAR
Farmer and family man from Lindenow in Gippsland, Victoria, Andrew Bulmer, has taken out the prestigious 2017 Kondinin Group and ABC Rural Australian Farmer of the Year award for his business prowess and innovative approach to farming. • Eight national awards...
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LATROBE VALLEY AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER CLEARED FOR AIRVAN10 TAKE OFF
Aircraft manufacturing jobs in the Latrobe Valley will be secured with the GippsAero Airvan 10 formally receiving its type certification today from the national air safety regulator. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) today presented the formal certification...
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HELPING LOCAL FARMERS ACCESS SAFE, EFFECTIVE CHEMICALS
Gippsland farmers and producers will benefit from a Coalition Government push to improve access to safe and effective agricultural and veterinary chemicals. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today said weeds, pests and diseases cost the Australian...
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GET THE FACTS ABOUT IMMUNISATION
A new Federal Government campaign to encourage parents and carers to get their children vaccinated will target East Gippsland. The ‘Get the Facts about Immunisation’ campaign provides evidence-based information to support decision making about childhood vaccinations....
read moreCHECK ENROLMENT DETAILS
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has encouraged locals to enrol to vote and check their official enrolment details to make sure they have their say on proposed changes to the Marriage Act. Mr Chester said people who have recently turned 18 or changed...
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RAAF EXPANSION HALF WAY COMPLETE, NEW AIRCRAFT DELIVERED
$200 million in construction works at RAAF Base East Sale have hit the half way mark; and the first fleet of the new PC-21 aircraft has arrived at the base, as Sale prepares to become the home of all pilot training from 2019. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren...
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FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENT ARE WINNERS WITH NEW AFMA OFFICE AT LAKES ENTRANCE
The future of commercial fishing in East Gippsland will be better secured and environmental outcomes enhanced when the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) opens its new office at Lakes Entrance early next year. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for...
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CLAIMING THE AGE PENSION TO GET EASIER AND FASTER
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today welcomed a suite of changes to speed up and simplify Age Pension claims. Mr Chester said the changes would mainly affect those who make online claims. “The new online process will make it easier to be certain...
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$200,000 FOR DISASTER PREPARDNESS IN EAST GIPPSLAND
More than $200,000 will be spent on helping communities in East Gippsland to better cope with natural disasters. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today welcomed an announcement the Federal and State governments would jointly support East Gippsland...
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STUDY TO HELP BRIAGOLONG PREPARE FOR FLASH FLOODS
A $75,000 study will help people living and working in and around Briagolong to better cope with flash flooding. The Federal and State governments have announced they will jointly fund the Briagolong Flash Flood Study together with Wellington Shire Council. The...
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FEEDBACK ON WILLOW PARK AND ROSEDALE REVITALISATION
Feedback is being sought from the Rosedale community about concept plans for Willow Park and the western entrance to town, as part of the $1.5 million Rosedale Revitalisation project. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced $1 million earlier this...
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CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF VICTORIA POLICE IN LATROBE VALLEY
Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Graham Ashton and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester were keynote speakers at the Central Gippsland Essential Industries Group annual dinner in Traralgon Friday night. They are pictured with Latrobe City Mayor Kellie...
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ESSENTIAL INDUSTRIES GROUP DINNER
Pictured at the Central Gippsland Essential Industries Group annual dinner in Traralgon Friday night are Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, Inspector General for Emergency Management Victoria Tony Pearce, AGL Manager Group Security Nick Demetrios and Chief...
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$500,000 TO EXPAND HEALTH SERVICES IN BAIRNSDALE
Gippsland Lakes Community Health (GLCH) has secured a $500,000 Federal Government grant to expand services in Bairnsdale to meet growing demand. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today announced the government would fund half of a $1 million upgrade at...
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$725,000 FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES AT MALLACOOTA
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today announced Mallacoota would receive another $725,000 to build new community clubrooms at the town’s recreation reserve. Mr Chester said the million dollar plan to redevelop recreation facilities could now go...
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INVESTING IN THE EDUCATION OF REGIONAL STUDENTS
The Federal Government has announced a range of new initiatives to encourage country students to continue studying beyond secondary school. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Higher Education Reform package would benefit local students. “As a...
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MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR HEYFIELD, MAFFRA AND STRATFORD
A pilot program providing free mental health services to people living in Heyfield, Maffra and Stratford has been announced today. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester joined Gippsland Primary Health Network (PHN) Chief Executive Officer Marianne Shearer...
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