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$2.63 MILLION TO IMPROVE MOBILE COVERAGE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the announcement of $2.63 million for the installation of a fibre optic path between Tambo Crossing and Swifts Creek to improve mobile reception. Mr Chester said the installation of a 42-kilometre fibre path...
IMPROVED MOBILE PHONE RECEPTION FOR TOONGABBIE
The installation of a Telstra 4GX small cell will improve mobile phone reception at Toongabbie. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the installation of the small cell was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to improve connectivity through its...
IMPROVED MOBILE PHONE RECEPTION FOR GIPSY POINT
The installation of a Telstra base station will improve mobile phone reception at Gipsy Point. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the installation of the base station was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to improve connectivity through its...
IMPROVED MOBILE RECEPTION FOR CABBAGE TREE CREEK
The installation of a Telstra small cell will improve mobile phone reception at Cabbage Tree Creek. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the installation of the base station was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to improve connectivity through...
FUNDING TO SUPPORT LOCAL MANUFACTURING INNOVATION
Manufacturers in Gippsland can receive financial support to invest in new ideas and become more competitive in the marketplace. Local MP Darren Chester said the $30 million Manufacturing Commercialisation Fund could help businesses carry out projects that bring...
POWERING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM NOW OPEN
Funding is now available for community groups in Gippsland to improve energy efficiency and lower power bills. Local MP Darren Chester has called for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Federal Government’s Powering Communities Program. “Energy bills are often one...
FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING GRANTS OPEN
Gippsland food and beverage manufacturers can capitalise on Australian made products with funding now available for the sector under the Federal Government’s $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI). Food and Beverage is the fourth of six National...
BOOST FOR EAST GIPPSLAND JOBS
The Federal Government will provide $7 million supporting five East Gippsland community-based projects to boost the regional economy. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester have announced the first projects under the...
$1.3 MILLION UPGRADE FOR FOREST PARK IN ORBOST
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured $1.3 million for a much-needed upgrade of Forest Park. Mr Chester said the Forest Park upgrade would revitalise and modernise Orbost’s recreation area, visitor rest-stop and gateway to the East Gippsland Rail...
$1 MILLION TO UPGRADE SLIP ROAD IN PAYNESVILLE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured $1 million in Federal Government funding towards an upgrade of Slip Road in Paynesville. Mr Chester had been working with the Paynesville Business and Tourism Association and East Gippsland Shire Council on plans...
$2.2 MILLION BOOST FOR LAKES ENTRANCE WALK
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured $2.2 million in Federal Government funding for stage one of an all abilities boardwalk and concrete path in the heart of Lakes Entrance. Mr Chester said the indigenous themed boardwalk and shared pathway known as...
WELLINGTON RECEIVES $3.2 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES
Wellington Shire halls, recreation reserves, community facilities and paths will be upgraded thanks to $3.27 million in Federal Government funding. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the money will help Wellington Shire support local jobs and businesses...
FLYNN RECREATION RESERVE WORKS NEARING COMPLETION
Works to upgrade and improve facilities at the Flynn Recreation Reserve are progressing well. Local MP Darren Chester said the $1.2 million project included a rebuild of the Flynn Hall and upgrading amenities at the recreation reserve. “The old Flynn Hall was unfit...
RAIL TRAIL $2 MILLION BOOST: CHESTER
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured $2 million for the first stage of a much-needed upgrade of the East Gippsland Rail Trail. Mr Chester said he had been working closely with the volunteer committee of management for more than two years to seek...
GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL EX-SERVICE ORGANISATIONS
Gippsland Ex-Service Organisations (ESO) can now apply for Federal Government funding through the 2021 Building Excellence in Support and Training grants round. Federal Member for Gippsland and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester encouraged local...
NEW PBS LISTINGS TO PROVIDE HOPE FOR GIPPSLANDERS
Gippslanders will benefit from expanded access to life changing medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), giving further support to patients and their families. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said from today, new medicines for people...
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
On Wednesday March 31 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force celebrated its centenary. Federal Member for Gippsland and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel attended events in Canberra to mark the day including the Australian War Memorial’s Last Post...
BAMBACH WIRES AND CABLES SECURES $1.2 MILLION
Bambach Wires and Cables is continuing to grow Australia’s sovereign capability with $1.2 million in funding being provided by the Federal Government to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the grant would also...
GIPPSLANDERS TO BENEFIT FROM TAX CUTS
Gippslanders will continue to benefit over the coming months from tax cuts as part of the 2020-21 Federal Budget. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said over 50,000 Gippslanders would benefit from tax relief this financial year. “Low and middle-income...
LOCAL STUDIO TO SUPPORT REGIONAL ARTISTS
A local arts studio will expand their facilities and resources for local artists thanks to Federal Government funding. Arts Resource Collective (Arc) in Yinnar received $30,000 as part of the Regional Arts Fund, Recovery Grants. Local MP Darren Chester said the...
GENOA FOOTBRIDGE REPLACEMENT UNDERWAY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed progress on the replacement of the Genoa pedestrian bridge which was destroyed in last summer’s bushfires. Mr Chester said the 93-year-old footbridge was the centrepiece of the town and a great loss for the...
PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE FOR FARMERS IN EAST GIPPSLAND
A project to establish and promote best practice African Lovegrass control in East Gippsland has received Federal funding. Local MP Darren Chester announced that Tom’s Creek Landcare Group would receive a $69,024 grant to improve the profitability and productivity of...
IMPROVING WATER QUALITY AT CORNER INLET
A project to improve water quality at Corner Inlet has received a welcome boost from the Federal Government. Local MP Darren Chester announced that Yarram Yarram Landcare Network would receive $100,000 for the project that brings together different components of the...
GIPPSLANDERS: CHECK FOR UNCLAIMED SUPER
Gippslanders hard earned wages are waiting to be claimed, in the form of lost and unclaimed superannuation. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said there is $40 million of lost and unclaimed superannuation in Gippsland, money that workers may not even know...
CHESTER BACKING PAPER AND TIMBER JOBS
The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has written to the owners of Australian Paper’s Maryvale mill to seek assurances on behalf of hundreds of workers whose jobs are threatened by cuts to timber supply. Mr Chester said he didn’t believe State Government...
2021 VOLUNTEER GRANTS PROGRAM NOW OPEN
Gippsland community organisations can apply for Federal Government funding to support the work of their volunteers. Mr Chester this week announced the 2021 Volunteer Grants round was now open for Expressions of Interest (EOI) and encouraged local volunteer...
VULNERABLE GIPPSLANDERS BOOK IN FOR VACCINE
GPs and health clinics across Gippsland will start administering the COVID-19 vaccine from Monday, 22 March 2021 as part of Phase 1B of the rollout. The first week of the next phase will see locations in Churchill, Traralgon, Morwell, Sale, Paynesville and Lakes...
MILESTONE REACHED FOR LATROBE CREATIVE PRECINCT
An exciting milestone has been reached at the Latrobe Creative Precinct as the last of the 10 feature trees were installed. Local MP Darren Chester said the trees were a fantastic addition to the new centre. “The installation of the feature trees brings this project...
RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY
Two words that I believe can guide us all in the current debate about the treatment of women and children in our society. Respecting yourself. Respecting all others. And taking responsibility for your own actions. It remains our enduring challenge to achieve equality...
GIPPSLAND RAIL LINE UPGRADES UNDERWAY
The next stage of works along the Gippsland line will soon be underway with a contractor being appointed. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced that VicConnect, a consortium comprising of UGL Limited, Decmil and Arup would deliver the upgrades. “The...
UPGRADES TO DELIVER MORE TRAIN SERVICES FOR GIPPSLAND
A contractor has been appointed to deliver the Gippsland Line Upgrade’s major package of works, rail upgrades between Pakenham and Traralgon to enable more frequent and reliable train services. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Federal Member for Gippsland...
BRUTHEN NETBALL COURTS GET AN UPGRADE
Bruthen’s Netball courts have been resurfaced and upgraded to make it safer for players. The Bruthen Netball Association secured a $10,000 grant from the Federal Government’s #lovegippsland Stronger Communities Program to help fund the project. Local MP Darren Chester...
FUNDING FOR WILDLIFE BUSHFIRE RECOVERY
East Gippsland will receive more than $800,000 for bushfire rehabilitation projects to help wildlife and the landscape recover from last year’s summer bushfires. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the community grants would support hands on projects from...
BULLOCK ISLAND WORKS WILL PROGRESS RAPIDLY
The first stage of works on the Bullock Island master plan will progress rapidly throughout the year according to Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester said almost $10 million would be spent on the island over a 12-month period as all levels of government...
NEW FACILITIES AT CATHOLIC COLLEGE SALE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, together with Most Reverend Gregory Bennet, Bishop of Sale, today officially opened a multi-million dollar redevelopment of the John 23rd building at Catholic College Sale. Mr Chester secured $1 million for the project...
EAST GIPPSLAND TO BE SHOWCASED AS ARTS DESTINATION
A local floating arts residency will showcase East Gippsland as a sustainable arts destination thanks to Federal Government funding. Local MP Darren Chester said the FLOAT based on Lake Tyers had received a $30,000 grant as part of the Regional Arts Fund, Recovery...
HYDROGEN OPERATIONS BEGIN IN LATROBE VALLEY
Operations have commenced at Loy Yang Power Station and Hastings hydrogen liquefication, storage and loading terminal to turn brown coal into hydrogen. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Federal Government had committed $50 million to the Hydrogen...
OFFICIAL OPENING OF MORWELL CBD REVITALISATION
Works to revitalise the streetscape of the Morwell Central Business District (CBD) are now complete. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester officially opened the Morwell CBD revitalisation project today and said it would benefit pedestrians, road users and local...
KEEGAN STREET RESERVE OFFICIALLY OPENS
Local cricketers will enjoy improved facilities with the completion of works at Keegan Street Reserve, in Morwell. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester officially opened the facility today, which is part of the Morwell Recreation Reserve Precinct redevelopment....
NEW CABLE MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN ROSEDALE
The former Rosedale leather tannery has been repurposed and is now the home of a $6.3 million advanced cable manufacturing facility. The Federal Government has co-funded the transformation of the 10,000 square metre old tannery building into a specialised cable...
STATEMENT FROM DARREN CHESTER ON YALLOURN CLOSURE
Today’s announcement of the decision to close the Yallourn Power Station four years earlier than originally planned will be a blow to workers, their families, local suppliers and the broader Gippsland region. I want to thank all Latrobe Valley power station workers...
GIPPSLANDERS ENCOURAGED TO CALL OUT DISRESPECT
The Federal Government has launched the third phase of a $18.8 million national campaign to reduce violence against women and children. The Stop it at the Start campaign encourages adults to speak up and empowers them to take action that will have a positive influence...
MAJOR RESTORATION OF BAIRNSDALE CENOTAPH
The upgraded Bairnsdale cenotaph was today officially opened after undergoing months of restoration works. Local MP and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester attended the opening ceremony held at the cenotaph in the main street of Bairnsdale to mark the...
CHESTER VISITS SWAN REACH PRIMARY SCHOOL
Local MP Darren Chester this week delivered new flags to Swan Reach Primary School and presented student leaders with certificates. Mr Chester also spent some time listening to the preps tell stories about their families. He told students to dream big and work hard...
FUNDING AVAILABLE TO DRIVE ROAD SAFETY INNOVATION
Funding is now available to lower road trauma as part of round two of the Road Safety Innovation Fund. Local MP Darren Chester encouraged organisations with an interest in road safety research and technology development to apply. “Every year we see many lives lost on...
CHESTER SUPPORTS PLANS TO CONSOLIDATE SALE COLLEGE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is supporting The Nationals Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien in a bid to consolidate Sale College on one site with a new school. Mr Chester, a former student of the college, says the State Government is neglecting...
YARRAM’S REGENT THEATRE FACELIFT BEGINS
Work to restore Yarram’s Regent Theatre has started with the installation of scaffolding. Local MP Darren Chester said this marks the start of a $240,000 facade restoration which includes accessibility improvements and new signage on the iconic building. “The Regent...
LAKES ENTRANCE TRANSFORMATION CONTINUES
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the transformation of the Princes Highway through Lakes Entrance is progressing with improvements near the Club Spit, the western entrance to town from Kalimna and Eastern Beach Road intersection. Mr Chester said...
MEDICATIONS FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, ASTHMA AND DIABETES LISTED ON THE PBS
Gippslanders will benefit from expanded access to life changing medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), giving further support to patients and their families. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said from today, three new medicines for people...
MORE SUPPORT FOR DROUGHT AFFECTED FARMERS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Victorian Government had finally signed up to the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme, allowing funds to again flow to Gippsland farmers. The Federal Government has provided $100 million for the...