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DASMA TO INNOVATE WASTE MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
A Morwell based company will develop and incorporate new processes of utilising recovered materials across the supply chain thanks to Federal Government funding. DASMA Environmental has received $2.1 million as part of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P)...
2022 #LOVEGIPPSLAND CALENDAR WINNERS
Local MP Darren Chester has announced the three winners of the 2022 #lovegippsland calendar competition. The three winning images include a group of wrens taken by Sarah Nation of Cann River, grass trees at Cape Conran taken by Terry Russell of Orbost and a crisp...
LOCAL GALLERY GIVING LOCAL ARTISTS A CHANCE
A gallery at Wairewa is giving local artists a chance to exhibit their work as the region recovers from the Black Summer bushfires. Local MP Darren Chester (pictured) has congratulated owners, Elizabeth and Brian Blakeman for their energy, enthusiasm and community...
FUNDING BOOST FOR AGED CARE IN WELLINGTON
Two aged care facilities in Wellington will benefit from funding as part of the 2020 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR). Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the two facilities would improve care capacity and capabilities. “Laurina Lodge in Heyfield has...
CHESTER VISITS SNOWY RIVER BLACK GARLIC
When celebrity chefs Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan are describing your product as the best they’ve ever tasted…you must be on the right track. Mark Johnstone and Shelly Carroll at Snowy River Black Garlic have received rave reviews for their range of products which...
OFFICIAL OPENING OF SUPPORTED LIVING UNITS AT MIRRIDONG
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester officially opened two new supported living units at Mirridong Services in Yarram. Mirridong Services received $2.32 million from the Federal Government as part of the Building Better Regions Fund. Mr Chester said the...
FUNDING FOR INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS IN WELLINGTON
Two Indigenous programs in Wellington will benefit from funding as part of the Federal Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy. Local MP Darren Chester said Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation would receive over $400,000 in funding to deliver the programs....
FUNDING FOR INDIGENOUS PROJECTS IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Three Indigenous programs in East Gippsland will benefit from funding as part of the Federal Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy. Local MP Darren Chester said Gippsland And East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative Limited, Lake Tyers Health & Children’s...
UPGRADE FOR BAIRNSDALE SERVICE CENTRE
Bairnsdale residents will have improved access to Centrelink and Medicare services when the Services Australia Service Centre in Bairnsdale undergoes an upgrade. The service centre at 60-62 Macleod Street will be modernised to have a new contemporary look and feel,...
GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES PROGRAM RELEASED
Guidelines for the Federal Government’s Preparing Australian Communities Program – Local have been released ahead of applications opening. Local MP Darren Chester is encouraging local organisations to start identifying eligible projects and preparing an application....
CHESTER LAUNCHES BIGGEST SURVEY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has officially launched Gippsland’s Biggest Survey. Mr Chester said the survey is an opportunity for constituents to have their say on a range of local and national issues. “As the local member I am working every day to...
ADDITIONAL FUNDING NEEDED FOR HEADTOHELP
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is calling on the Federal Government to extend funding for the HeadtoHelp (H2H) program in Gippsland. Mr Chester has written to the Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, asking for the program to be extended for another five...
LATROBE VALLEY ‘OWED AN EXPLANATION’
Latrobe Valley residents are ‘owed an explanation’ from the Premier on why a promised 500 jobs in electric vehicle manufacturing don’t exist, and why his Members of Parliament refuse to participate in a local taskforce aimed at securing the region’s future. Federal...
MALLACOOTA STREETSCAPE CONSULTATION
Community consultation has started ahead of $2 million worth of works to upgrade the Mallacoota streetscape, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester said the project would be managed by East Gippsland Shire Council, with the Federal...
CHESTER WELCOMES NEW LOCAL MEDICAL PATHWAY
Local MP Darren Chester has welcomed the introduction of a new pathway at Federation University to allow local students to study medicine. Mr Chester, who has advocated for more medical degrees to be offered regionally said it was fantastic to see it finally...
CHESTER BACKS TIMBER JOBS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is challenging Victorian Labor politicians to reject the Andrews Government plan to shutdown the native hardwood timber industry by 2030. Speaking in Federal Parliament, Mr Chester said he supported a sustainable timber...
MAFFRA PLAY PRECINCT OFFICIALLY OPEN
Young people in Maffra have an exciting new way to keep active with the completion of the Maffra Play Precinct. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the play precinct, including the new pump track would complement similar projects throughout Wellington....
FUNDING SUPPORT FOR MALLACOOTA GUN CLUB
The volunteers at Mallacoota Gun Club are working hard to re-establish facilities that were destroyed in the Black Summer bushfires. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced $9000 in Federal Government funding for a new solar power system that will reduce...
CHESTER STOPS BY SALE TURF CLUB
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Sale Turf Club CEO Brad Evans discussing opportunities for Federal Government grants to support further upgrades at the Greenwattle Racecourse. Mr Chester is supportive of plans to improve facilities for race-goers and is...
WORKS CONTINUE ON PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
Works to complete the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre exterior and the interior fit out are continuing. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the project was getting closer to completion, with it expected to be finished by the end of the year. “Works to...
SAFETY WORKS ON MALLACOOTA-GENOA ROAD
Long-awaited work to improve the safety on Mallacoota-Genoa Road has already delivered significant benefits with another $10 million on the way from the Federal Government, according to local MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester said the shoulder widening, improved line...
REGIONAL GRANTS PROGRAM OVERHAUL NEEDED: CHESTER
The Federal Government should overhaul its regional grants funding programs which are failing to deliver fair outcomes for communities like Gippsland, according to local MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester said the latest round of Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) had...
WORKS UNDERWAY AT GLENGARRY MECHANICS INSTITUTE
Works to upgrade the historic Glengarry Mechanics’ Institute are finally underway. Local MP Darren Chester said the works would make the hall more user friendly and versatile for community events and celebrations. “The Glengarry Mechanics’ Institute has been a part of...
DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR CALENDAR ENTRIES IN
Local MP Darren Chester is encouraging photographers to make sure they get their photographs submitted to be considered for the 2022 #lovegippsland calendar. Mr Chester said the competition which is currently open, would provide 13 images to be featured in the new...
FURTHER FUNDING FOR DROUGHT RESILIENCE
Applications for the second round of the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program have now opened. Local MP Darren Chester said the program was a part of the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund to help communities prepare for drought. “This program is...
HAVE YOUR SAY ON NATIONAL LANDCARE PROGRAM
Local MP Darren Chester is encouraging Gippslanders to have their say as part of the review of the National Landcare Program. Mr Chester said this was the second five-year review to help inform the future of the program. “Landcare provides on ground practical action...
BUSHFIRE FUND ‘RIP OFF’ MAY BE AVOIDED
The Federal Government is backing away from a plan which would have short-changed bushfire impacted communities in East Gippsland, according to local MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester said he had received a letter from Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie...
TRARALGON BYPASS PLANNING CRITICAL
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says it’s critical the Andrews Government accelerates the consultation process for the final planning and design of the long-awaited Traralgon bypass. Mr Chester said local residents and the broader Gippsland community...
GIPPSLAND SHARES IN FEDERAL HYDROGEN HUB CASH
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the Latrobe Valley’s role as a critical energy generator will be boosted by the decision to include the region as one of seven hydrogen hubs in Australia. The Federal Government’s $1.2 billion hydrogen investment is set...
2022 #LOVEGIPPSLAND CALENDAR COMPETITION OPEN
Local MP Darren Chester is encouraging Gippslanders to enter their best photographs in the 2022 #lovegippsland calendar competition. Mr Chester said the competition was now open and the winning photos would be featured in the annual calendar. “I love Gippsland and...
FUNDING FOR SOIL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Funding is available to improve soil management practices through the Federal Government’s Smart Farms Small Grants: Soil Extension Activities program. Local MP Darren Chester said local organisations and individuals can apply for grants of up to $250,000 to undertake...
LAKES ENTRANCE LOOKING A MILLION DOLLARS
The multi-million dollar upgrade of The Esplanade in Lakes Entrance is continuing with the latest section of footpath being installed. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured funding for the work in 2016 and says the transformation will save lives, improve...
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT STEPPING UP FOR GIPPSLAND FARMERS
The Coalition Government is bolstering support for farmers in East Gippsland and Wellington through the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed the announcement that the Australian and Victorian governments...
ASSISTANCE DOGS SAVING LIVES
Former Australian Federal Police (AFP) officer Dale Potter from Seaspray, is amongst the first people to receive a psychiatric trained assistance dog from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). Mr Potter, who had a distinguished career in Victoria Police and the...
CHESTER WELCOMES OFFSHORE WIND FARM LEGISLATION
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the introduction of legislation to develop offshore electricity infrastructure with local jobs at stake. Mr Chester said the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill introduced to Federal Parliament would...
$3 MILLION TO ADVANCE MANUFACTURING IN GIPPSLAND
The Federal Government is providing $3 million in funding through the Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) to DefendTex to conduct Australia’s first 3D printed rocket booster for space launch here in Gippsland. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said...
FUNDING BOOST FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY GARDEN
SEED Lakeside Community Garden in Sale will benefit from funding from the Federal Government. Local MP Darren Chester said the grant was part of the Federal Government’s funding of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal’s Tackling Tough Times Together program....
BETTER MOBILE COVERAGE FOR GIPPSLAND
Gippslanders are safer, and the economy has prospered because of more than $15 million being spent to reduce mobile phone black spots, according to the Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester said the Federal Government had committed $5.47 million...
BUSHFIRE FUND ‘RIP OFF’ CAN BE PREVENTED
East Gippsland community groups will be ‘ripped off’ if the Federal Government doesn’t boost the region’s allocation under the $280 million ‘Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program’, according to Federal MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester joined with State MP Tim...
AIRFIELD ROAD TRARALGON TO BE MADE SAFER
A popular Traralgon road will receive safety upgrades, thanks to the Federal Government. Local MP Darren Chester said Airfield Road in Traralgon would be upgraded through the Federal Government’s 2021-22 Black Spot Program to improve safety for road users. “Airfield...
LANDHOLDERS TO LEAD RECOVERY REFUGES IN EAST GIPPSLAND
The Federal Government is backing local landholders and communities in East Gippsland to lead the way in bushfire recovery through a $1 million grant to support the regeneration of impacted plants and animals. Not-for-profit organisation Trust for Nature will...
NEW VISA TO SUPPORT AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the introduction of the Australian Agriculture Visa to help address workforce shortages and ensure local goods make it to market. Mr Chester said the visa was important for security of supply and agricultural production...
BOOST FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Two child care providers in East Gippsland have received a welcome funding boost to meet the needs of local families. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said over $380,000 has been allocated to the providers to help with operational costs. “Uniting Gippsland...
BOOST FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES IN WELLINGTON
Three child care providers in Wellington have received a welcome funding boost to meet the needs of local families. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said over $230,000 had been allocated to the providers to help with operational costs. “Maffra Queen Street...
BOOST FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES IN LATROBE
Two childcare providers in the Latrobe Valley have received a welcome funding boost to meet the needs of local families. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said $110,000 had been allocated to the providers to help with operational costs. “Tilly’s Dream Pty...
BUSHFIRE ENVIRONMENTAL RECOVERY BOOST
Nearly 20 projects in East Gippsland will receive funding to aid the recovery of native wildlife and habitat severely impacted by the 2019/20 black summer bushfires. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed the announcement of more than $3.8 million in...
FUNDING BOOST FOR BENGWORDEN ROAD
Major works to upgrade safety and improve driving conditions on Bengworden Road will be delivered with a boost in Federal Government funding. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said $5.04 million would be spent to improve safety measures along the road. “The works...
FUNDING BOOST FOR STRATFORD-MAFFRA ROAD
Major works to upgrade safety and improve driving conditions on Stratford-Maffra Road will be deliver with a boost in Federal Government funding. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said $1.476 million would be spent to improve safety measures along the road. “The...
FUNDING BOOST FOR TRARALGON-MAFFRA ROAD
Major works to upgrade safety and improve driving conditions on Traralgon-Maffra Road will be delivered with a boost in Federal Government funding. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said $3.024 million would be spent on stage two of works to the Traralgon-Maffra...
A PATHWAY TO WATER SECURITY IN GIPPSLAND
The Macalister Resilience and Critical Infrastructure project will receive $2.5 million in Federal Government funding. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Government was pleased to support the Macalister Irrigation District (MID) project that would...