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HOPE CENTRE TAKING SHAPE
The Hope Restart centre near Bairnsdale is taking shape with construction well underway on the 3,000 square metre building. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $3.8 million to help build the residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre. Mr...
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SNOWY RIVER TRESTLE BRIDGE RESTORATION A TOP PRIORITY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he’s determined to secure the money required to restore the historic Snowy River railway trestle bridge ‘come hell or high water’. Mr Chester has welcomed the release of the Economic and Social Assessment which...
read moreNew Laws to Protect Gippsland Farmers
Tough new farm trespass laws to protect Australia’s farmers from the unlawful actions of animal activists have passed the Australian Parliament. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill was about putting...
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COUNCIL URGED TO KEEP MANAGEMENT OF BULLOCK ISLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has asked East Gippsland Shire Council (EGSC) to urgently reconsider its decision to not take over the management of Bullock Island in Lakes Entrance. Mr Chester said he was ‘disappointed and surprised’ by Council’s split...
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ESPLANADE UPGRADE TAKES ANOTHER STEP FORWARD
The multi-million dollar upgrade of the Esplanade in Lakes Entrance has taken another step forward with the completion of the latest stage of Princes Highway works. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured the mix of Federal and State funding for the works...
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CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR LAKES ENTRANCE
Local MP Darren Chester has welcomed East Gippsland Shire’s commitment to complete the first stage of the Jemmy’s Point lookout redevelopment by Christmas. Council has released concept plans for the Hotel Rd site and plans to deliver a vastly improved viewing platform...
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INVESTMENT NEEDED TO IMPROVE FACILITIES ON PUBLIC LAND IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says a multi-million dollar investment is needed from all levels of government to improve facilities on public land in East Gippsland and improve the visitor economy. Mr Chester met with Secretary of the Orbost Chamber of...
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SAFER JOURNEY ON THE PRINCES HIGHWAY EAST OF BAIRNSDALE
The Princes Highway has been made safer for the thousands of people travelling between Bairnsdale and Nowa Nowa each day with a major package of upgrades now complete. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael...
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LAKES ENTRANCE CHANGEROOMS UNDERWAY
Work has started on the long-awaited Lakes Entrance Football Netball Club changeroom project. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured a grant of nearly $360,000 for Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve. Mr Chester said the current facilities at the Lakes...
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CHESTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO LOCAL VETERAN COMMUNITY AT SERVICE IN SALE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has paid tribute to the local veteran community during a commemorative service in Sale to recognise Vietnam Veterans Day. Mr Chester, who is also the Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel congratulated the Sale RSL for...
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Chester catches up with Melbourne Vixens Lara Dunkley in Morwell
Gippsland MP Darren Chester caught up with Melbourne Vixens rising star Lara Dunkley at the Worksafe Game of the Month in Morwell on Saturday night. The 24-year-old former Yarram resident and Sale FNC player was one of the guest speakers at the pre-match event which...
read moreONE WEEK LEFT FOR INDIGENOUS STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR THE WEX PROGRAM
Indigenous students from across Gippsland are encouraged to apply to participate in the annual Work Exposure in Government (WEX) program. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said there was just one week left to apply and encouraged Indigenous students to...
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HAVE A SAY ON THE HARVEST LABOUR SERVICES CONSULTATION
Local farmers, the horticulture industry and stakeholders can now have their say on the Harvest Labour Services (HLS) – Reforms to encourage Australia job seekers to take up seasonal work consultation paper. The consultation paper provides stakeholders the opportunity...
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LAKES ENTRANCE FORESHORE UPGRADE TAKING SHAPE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the multi-million upgrade of the Lakes Entrance foreshore is starting to take shape and will be welcomed by visitors and locals alike. Mr Chester inspected progress on the latest section of shared pathway to be...
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NEW LEARNING AREAS FOR STUDENTS AT CATHOLIC COLLEGE
Secondary school students at Catholic College Sale will benefit from newly renovated learning areas and a new administration area, including a lift, with the official opening today. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $2 million from the Federal...
read moreSTATE GOVT INSULTS GIPPSLANDERS WITH PRINCES HIGHWAY RESPONSE
The State Government has been accused of ‘insulting Gippslanders’ with a ‘pathetic response’ to requests to finish the Princes Highway duplication projects between Traralgon and Sale. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has today released a letter from the...
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ROSEDALE’S REVITALISATION PROJECT COMPLETE
A $1.5 million facelift of Rosedale is now complete, including streetscape improvements and upgrades to Willow Park, with the official opening today. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $1 million in Federal Government funding towards the project to...
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CHESTER ATTENDS COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE FOR NAVY PERSONNEL
Federal Member for Gippsland and Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester says Australians need to learn more about the positive nature of defence service. Speaking at a commemorative event in Bairnsdale this morning, Mr Chester said there was a lack of...
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#LOVEGIPPSLAND STRONGER COMMUNITIES GRANTS PROGRAM
Community groups across Gippsland can access Federal Government grants to purchase equipment and build small infrastructure projects in Gippsland. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said $150,000 has been allocated to upgrade community infrastructure through...
read moreMEDICATIONS FOR BRAIN TUMOURS, LEUKAEMIA AND INFLAMMATORY DISEASE LISTED ON THE PBS
Seriously ill Gippslanders are set to benefit as four new medicines will be subsidised by the Federal Government to help patients fighting aggressive forms of cancer and inflammatory conditions. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said treatments for brain...
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$5 BILLION FUTURE DROUGHT FUND PASSES PARLIAMENT
Drought stricken farmers and communities in Gippsland will benefit from the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund passing Parliament this week. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the $5 billion fund will deliver $100 million a year in perpetuity for...
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$2.9 MILLION UPGRADE GETS UNDERWAY AT YALLAMBEE
Yallambee Traralgon Village for the Aged Inc, will soon have improved buildings and facilities with works underway on the $2.9 million upgrade. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $1.88 million for Yallambee to rebuild the final 16 residential aged...
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GIPPSLAND SCHOOLS INVITED TO SHARE IN NEW FUNDING
New equipment, building projects or additional targeted support could soon be on the way for schools across Gippsland with the Australian Government making up to $200,000 available for projects to benefit local students’ learning experience. Member for Gippsland,...
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GIPPSLAND MAYORS SUPPORT PUSH TO FINISH HIGHWAY DUPLICATION
Federal MP Darren Chester says all Gippsland Mayors are supporting his push for work to start immediately on the Kilmany section of the Princes Highway duplication project. Mr Chester said Wellington, East Gippsland and Latrobe City Mayors wanted the Federal...
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JUST GET THE JOB DONE: CHESTER
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says his government should fund the entire cost of the highest priority stage of the Princes Highway duplication project between Traralgon and Sale. In a bid to break the political impasse between the State and Federal...
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GROWING IMPATIENCE LEADS TO REQUEST TO GET RAIL WORKS UNDERWAY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is seeking an urgent update regarding timelines to upgrade Gippsland train services. Mr Chester secured $504 million in federal government funding when he was Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, toward a $530 million...
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CONTRACTOR APPOINTED FOR KEEGAN STREET RESERVE
Upgrades to Morwell’s Keegan Street Reserve are due to start by the end of the month. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced $500,000 toward the Keegan Street Reserve last year as part of the Federal Government’s $5 million commitment to upgrade the...
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BOARDWALKS INSTALLED ALONG SHARED PATHWAY
The installation of boardwalks along Old Melbourne Road between Traralgon and Morwell is underway, as the Morwell-Traralgon shared pathway continues to take shape. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced $1.6 million in Federal Government funding...
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MALLACOOTA’S NEW MEDICAL CENTRE OPENS ITS DOORS
Mallacoota’s new $721,000 medical centre has opened its doors to patients for the first time this week. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester visited the new medical centre in Maurice Street as work neared completion. “I’m proud to have worked with the community...
read moreDIABETES, LUNG CANCER, ACNE AND DEPRESSION MEDICINES LISTED ON THE PBS
Four new medicines will be subsidised by the Federal Government to help patients living with debilitating and life threatening conditions. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said treatments for diabetes, severe cystic acne, depression and lung cancer will be...
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EoI OPENS FOR CATHOLIC COLLEGE JOHN 23RD REBUILD
Relocation of Catholic College Sale years seven and eight students from Sion to St Patricks campus has taken a major step forward with Expressions of Interest (EoI) open to builders. Commercial builders have been invited to lodge an Expression of Interest for the...
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MORWELL CBD REVITALISATION MOVES AHEAD
Works are underway this week to build an additional nine parklets with gardens and public seating along Commercial Road in Morwell, taking the total to 12 parklets in the Central Business District. The parklets are a feature of the Morwell CBD revitalisation project...
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VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY TO OPEN IN BAIRNSDALE: EAST GIPPSLAND STUDY HUB
A University Study Hub will open in Bairnsdale next semester to support local students to undergo university studies without having to relocate to Melbourne. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $595,000 from the Federal Government to establish an East...
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ACTING PRIME MINISTER VISITS YARRAM’S MIRRIDONG
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has taken acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack to Yarram to meet residents, families and staff at Mirridong Services. Mirridong Services will receive $2.32 million from the Federal Government to provide more supported...
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CHESTER TAKES TRANSPORT MINISTER ALONG THE HYLAND HWY
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has taken the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development for a drive along the Hyland Highway as he works to secure more money to upgrade the road. Mr Chester drove Minister Michael McCormack, who was...
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PLANNING FOR $60 MILLION PRINCES HIGHWAY SPEND
Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester have challenged local leaders to identify spending priorities along the Princes Highway corridor. East...
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BAIRNSDALE NETBALL UPGRADE NEEDED
An additional two courts are planned for Bairnsdale’s World Netball Centre to provide more timeslots and more opportunities for local netballers. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the additional two courts would also help to grow the annual Bairnsdale...
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IMPROVING HIGHWAY SAFETY AT JOHNSONVILLE
Major changes to the Johnsonville streetscape will improve the visitor experience and boost safety for locals in the town, according to Gippsland MP Darren Chester. The work is being undertaken by Bairnsdale’s Cranes Asphalting near the town’s famous Black Stump...
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WATER CART FOR EASTWOOD LANDCARE
Eastwood Landcare Group has received Federal Government funding to purchase a locally-built water cart. Federal Member for Gippland Darren Chester said the Eastwood Landcare Group was formed six years ago and had already planted around 30,000 tube stock around...
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LANDCARE AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN
Landcare Australia is inviting nominations for the 2019 State and Territory Landcare Awards to recognise individuals and groups for their outstanding contribution to preserving the Australian landscape. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging locals...
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$2.3 MILLION CENTENARY HOUSE EXPANSION OPENS
More patients, including those fighting cancer, will be able to access much-needed affordable accommodation with the opening of 13 new independent living units at Rotary Centenary House, Traralgon. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, a long-time supporter and...
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EAST GIPPSLAND GYMNASTICS GROWTH PLANS
East Gippsland Gymnastics Club has outgrown its current home and is working on plans to build a purpose-built centre in Lucknow. Head coach Marie Miles shared the new plans with local MP Darren Chester, who has offered his support to the project. Mr Chester said he...
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$9 MILLION ROSEDALE FACTORY DUE TO OPEN NEXT MONTH
A multi-million redevelopment of the old Rosedale tannery will open next month as the new home of Bambach Wires and Cables. The Federal Government has co-funded the transformation of the old tannery into a cable manufacturing facility. Federal Member for Gippsland...
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VOLUNTEER FUNDING FOR ROSEDALE REC RESERVE
Volunteers at the Rosedale Recreation Reserve have received a Federal Government grant for storage facilities and furniture. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced the Rosedale Recreation Reserve Committee had secured a grant of $4600 to purchase...
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LATROBE CITY MEETS AUSTRALIA’S NEW AGRICULTURE MINISTER
Representatives from Latrobe City Council met with Australia’s new Agriculture Minister at a special meeting held in Sale this week. Latrobe Chief Executive Officer Steven Piasente was among those at the roundtable meeting led by Senator Bridget McKenzie and Federal...
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WELLINGTON MEETS AUSTRALIA’S NEW AGRICULTURE MINISTER
Representatives from Wellington Shire Council met with Australia’s new Agriculture Minister at a special meeting held in Sale this week. Wellington Shire Council Mayor Cr Alan Hall and Chief Executive Officer David Morcom attended the roundtable meeting, hosted by the...
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NEW AG MINISTER TOURS MACALISTER IRRIGATION DISTRICT
Australia’s new Federal Agriculture Minister is visiting Gippsland today on the first day of her four-week listening tour across the nation. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is hosting Senator Bridget McKenzie as she travels through the electorate to meet...
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HEYFIELD TIMBER MILL A FIRST STOP FOR NEW MINISTER
Newly-appointed Agriculture Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie has met with management at Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) in Heyfield, less than a week since being sworn into the position. Local MP Darren Chester arranged the visit by Senator McKenzie to meet...
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NEW AGRICULTURE MINISTER VISITS GIPPSLAND
Australia’s new Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie will visit Gippsland today just five days after being sworn into her new role. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is hosting Senator McKenzie in his electorate to learn more about the region’s agricultural...
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LAKES ENTRANCE FIRST STOP FOR NEW AGRICULTURE MINISTER
Newly-appointed Agriculture Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie discussed the importance of a sustainable and a profitable fishing industry during her first meeting with Lakes Entrance Fishing Co-operative representatives on Monday. Lakes Entrance-based MP Darren...
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