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$130,000 FOR NEW FENCES AT MAFFRA LAWN TENNIS CLUB
Dilapidated fences at Maffra Lawn Tennis Club will soon be replaced as part of a one million dollar Federal Government cash injection into Wellington Shire. Local MP Darren Chester said $130,000 from the Federal Government would be spent erecting new fences at the...
NEW HELP FOR GIPPSLANDERS RECOVERING FROM BUSHFIRE
Gippslanders affected by the summer bushfires unsure where to turn for help can now go to a single place to discover the range of assistance measures available to them. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said he was concerned people in need had not been...
UPGRADES FOR GLENGARRY MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE
The historic Glengarry Mechanics’ Institute will benefit from some much needed renovations, thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Federal Government. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the grant would be used to renovate the building, including the...
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR GIPPSLAND BUSINESSES REOPENING THEIR DOORS
Local MP Darren Chester is encouraging Gippslanders to keep putting locals first and show their support for local businesses as many begin reopening their doors after the coronavirus shutdown. From Monday, June 1, Gippsland restaurants and cafes will be able to serve...
NEW PLAYGROUND READY TO CHALLENGE YARRAM PRIMARY STUDENTS
Students in grades three to six at Yarram Primary School are in for a big surprise when they return to school on Monday: there’s a brand new $32,000 playground for them to play on. The new playground has been installed and now stands ready to challenge the students,...
HELP TO COMBAT WEEDS AND PEST ANIMALS ON DROUGHT-AFFECTED FARMS
Drought-affected farmers in Wellington Shire will benefit from a half million dollar initiative to help them win the battle against pest animals and weeds. Local MP Darren Chester has announced the shire has secured $536,000 in Federal Government funding to rollout a...
$804,000 FOR A NEW COMMUNITY HALL FOR FLYNN
The derelict community hall in Flynn will be replaced and a brand new facility built thanks to $804,000 from the Federal Government. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the grant would enable a complete rebuild of the hall located at the Flynn Recreation...
BULLOCK ISLAND PROJECT RECEIVES ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed additional funding of $1.85 million to improve facilities on Bullock Island at Lakes Entrance. Mr Chester, who last month secured $5 million from the Federal Government to replace the bridge and associated...
CHESTER BACKS SALE COMMON INVESTMENT TO BOOST TOURISM NUMBERS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is backing a $1.4 million dollar plan to boost visitation to Sale Common, recognised as a wetland of international significance. The Rotary Club of Sale is driving the Sale Wetlands Trail Project, which will upgrade paths,...
WELCOME FUNDING FOR VOLUNTEERS IN THE LATROBE VALLEY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced five volunteer groups in the Latrobe Valley have successfully applied for funding through the 2019-20 Volunteer Grants program. Mr Chester said the five organisations were among 16 across Gippsland to receive a...
WELCOME SUPPORT FOR HARD-WORKING VOLUNTEERS IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Three volunteer groups in East Gippsland have secured grants from the Federal Government to support their response to bushfire. Local MP Darren Chester has announced Sarsfield Recreation Reserve Committee of Management would receive $5000 to buy supplies to help with...
WELCOME FUNDING TO ESTABLISH A FILM SOCIETY AT BENGWORDEN
The community of Bengworden is planning to establish a film society to give local residents a new way to spend an evening out without travelling far from home. Local MP Darren Chester this week announced the Federal Government would provide $5000 to purchase a...
STORAGE UPGRADE FOR YINNAR & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Yinnar and District Historical Society and Museum will upgrade its storage facilities thanks to a $46,000 grant from the Federal Government. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the grant would be used to build a new storage shed behind the original...
CHESTER REQUESTS $5 MILLION TO SAVE ORBOST’S HISTORIC TRESTLE BRIDGE
The Federal Government is being urged to provide $5 million to rescue an historic railway trestle bridge in danger of being demolished by neglect in Orbost. Local MP Darren Chester is supporting a community-led campaign to restore the century-old wooden bridge, which...
IMPROVING TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESILIENCE DURING EMERGENCIES
Telecommunications will be strengthened in bushfire and disaster prone areas in Gippsland to keep communities connected during emergencies. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Federal Government was investing $37.1 million to improve...
VALLEY-BASED BUILDER WINS TENDER FOR NEW UNITS AT MIRRIDONG
A Latrobe Valley-based builder has been selected to lead a multi-million dollar project to build new supported living units for people living with a disability in Yarram. Moe-based Kingbuilt, which specialises in the design and construction of custom homes, has won...
CHESTER CALLS ON STATE GOVERNMENT TO MATCH FEDERAL GRANT
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called on the State Government to fully fund its share of the phase two of the Macalister Irrigation District (MID) modernisation project and help cash-strapped farmers. Mr Chester secured $31 million from the Federal...
END IN SIGHT FOR WORKS AT KEEGAN STREET RESERVE
The seeds have been sown and grass is growing at the Keegan Street Reserve as upgrade works near completion. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the redevelopment includes four natural turf wickets, one synthetic wicket and better irrigation including a...
A FIRST LOOK AT THE CONCEPT PLAN FOR STRATFORD’S APEX PARK
A concept design for a new-look Apex Park in Stratford has been unveiled and is open for public comment for the next 10 days. Locals had a chance earlier this year to put forward their ideas for the park, which is being redeveloped as part of the multi-million dollar...
GIPPSLAND SET TO SHARE IN $650 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL BUSHFIRE RECOVERY FUNDING
Gippsland is set to share in more than $650 million of additional bushfire recovery funding as part of a Federal Government package announced by local MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester said bushfire impacted communities in East Gippsland and Wellington Shire would be...
CONCEPT DESIGNS UNDERWAY FOR TATUNGALUNG BOARDWALK
The proposed ‘Tatungalung’ boardwalk linking Eastern Beach and Main Beach has moved a step closer with local consultants working on concept designs. Ryan Summerton (centre) from Archistyle and Ash Carroll (right) from Lake Tyers Design will prepare the design. It will...
NEW STANDS FOR SHEARERS COMPETING AT THE OMEO AND DISTRICT SHOW
Omeo and District Agricultural and Pastoral Society will receive a grant worth more than $100,000 from the Federal Government. Local MP Darren Chester has announced the agricultural society would receive the money to replace the shearing stands at the Omeo Recreation...
$254,000 FOR ALL-WEATHER DOME AT MAFFRA’S RECREATION RESERVE
Maffra and District Agricultural Society will receive more than $254,000 from the Federal Government to build an all-weather dome over part of its cattle pavilion. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the dome would create a multi-purpose space that could...
EAST GIPPSLAND VEGETABLE INNOVATION DAYS A GREAT SUCCESS: CHESTER
The East Gippsland Vegetable Innovation Days were a great success despite the limitations posed by social distancing rules, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester Mr Chester met with Lindenow grower Andrew Bulmer and industry representatives who were...
CHESTER WELCOMES COMMITMENT TO BULLOCK ISLAND PLAN
The long-awaited delivery of the first stage of the Bullock Island master plan will be possible with $6.5 million from the Federal Government and East Gippsland Shire Council, according to Gippsland MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester secured $5 million from the Federal...
RAIL TRAIL TO BOOST LOCAL JOBS
The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail is set to receive a welcome boost with a 25-metre bridge taking shape in a factory in Wurruk. The new bridge being built by T & S Welding will be used to span the Eaglehawk Creek crossing and is a vital link in the increasingly...
LINDENOW VALLEY WATER SECURITY SCHEME OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
Local MP Darren Chester says a multi-million dollar scheme to help irrigators in the Lindenow Valley to drought-proof their properties will support local jobs. Guidelines for the Lindenow Valley Water Security Scheme are now available and applications to receive a...
$240,000 MAKEOVER FOR YARRAM’S REGENT THEATRE
Yarram’s historic Regent Theatre will get a much-needed facelift as part of a million dollar Federal Government cash injection into the economy of Wellington Shire. The façade of the building, which dates back to 1930, will be restored and accessibility improved. New...
GIPPSLANDERS URGED TO USE APP TO HELP STOP SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS
Local MP Darren Chester says social distancing measures could be eased sooner if enough people have the coronavirus tracing app operating on their phones. Mr Chester is encouraging as many Gippslanders as possible to download the COVIDSafe app to their smart phones to...
CHESTER WELCOMES THE OPENING OF REGIONAL RESPIRATORY CLINICS
The first of six respiratory assessment clinics planned for Gippsland to help fight illnesses such as coronavirus has today opened in Warragul. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said further clinics would open in Morwell, Sale and Bairnsdale in his...
FURNELL TO RECEIVE NEW MOBILE TOWER
Furnell, south of Cann River, will receive a new mobile telephone tower to help combat service blackspots. The Telstra tower will be built with funding secured under round five of the Federal Government’s Mobile Blackspot Program. Local MP Darren Chester said the...
CHESTER BACKS PRINCES HIGHWAY FIRE BREAK PLAN
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is supporting a community proposal to create a strategic fire break along the Princes Highway from Nowa Nowa to the New South Wales border. The Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry has proposed extensive...
GIPPSLANDERS SPEND ANZAC DAY AT HOME
Local MP Darren Chester has congratulated Gippslanders for respectfully commemorating Anzac Day at home. As Veterans’ Affairs Minister and Member for Gippsland, Mr Chester normally spends the day attending as many major commemorative events and local Gippsland...
HOPE CENTRE OPENS ITS DOORS TO STAFF AND CLIENT
The Hope Centre has opened its doors to its first staff members and clients. The 3000 square metre residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre at Lucknow was due to be officially opened this week, but the event was rescheduled due to restrictions on gatherings....
BUSHFIRE COMMUNITIES SUPPORTED: CHESTER
Millions of dollars of support for bushfire-impacted Gippslanders is continuing to flow despite the coronavirus pandemic, according to local MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester said government assistance was still available to those impacted directly and indirectly by the...
$4 MILLION TO UPGRADE REST AREAS ALONG THE PRINCES HIGHWAY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says $4 million in funding for rest area upgrades will add to the overtaking lanes and other safety improvements already underway on the Princes Highway. Four rest areas at Newmerella, Cann River, Genoa and Lakes Entrance...
LAKES ENTRANCE TO BENEFIT FROM MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT
Lakes Entrance will benefit from a multi-million dollar Federal Government investment in projects to improve the Princes Highway including the first stage of works on Bullock Island. Local MP Darren Chester has secured $9 million for local projects that will boost...
$20 MILLION FOR PRINCES HIGHWAY SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES IN EAST GIPPSLAND
The Federal Government will help to fund more than $20 million of Princes Highway safety and infrastructure upgrades as part of a package of works stretching from Bairnsdale to Genoa. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and local MP Darren Chester made the...
INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE TO ATTRACT MORE VISITORS TO GIPPSLAND
The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government will provide more than $32 million for Princes Highway safety and infrastructure upgrades as part of a package of works stretching from Sale to Genoa. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and...
Additional support for public interest journalism
The Federal Government has announced a new $50 million program to support public interest journalism in regional areas, including Gippsland. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the additional funding for local newspapers and broadcasters....
CHESTER URGES GIPPSLANDERS TO GET THE FLU SHOT
Gippsland MP Darren Chester is urging Gippslanders to make getting their flu shot a priority this year. “Each year we face the flu season which can result in a lot of people becoming unwell,” Mr Chester said. “While I must stress that the flu injection will not...
FUNDING FOR PUBLIC INTEREST JOURNALISM IN CORONAVIRUS
Gippsland MP Darren Chester has welcomed the announcement by the Federal Government that the release of $5 million from its Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund has been brought forward to support public interest journalism during the coronavirus pandemic. Mr...
$1 MILLION TO UPGRADE COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Community facilities across East Gippsland are set for a million dollar facelift, according to local MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester said funding had been approved under the Drought Communities Program to improve water storage, upgrade town halls and a major...
MALLACOOTA’S COMMUNITY CLUBROOMS NEAR LOCK-UP STAGE
Mallacoota’s community clubrooms are nearing lock-up stage as work on the project gathers pace and nears completion. Construction work on land adjacent to the tennis courts in Greer Street began in August last year. Local MP Darren Chester stopped by the clubrooms...
CHESTER BACKS BIKE PUMP TRACK PROPOSAL FOR HEYFIELD
Local MP Darren Chester has thrown his support behind a community campaign to get a bike pump track for Heyfield. Mr Chester met with secretary of the Heyfield Community Representative Group Glenys McBride and Mick McKinnon from the group’s Youth Precinct Committee...
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR WILDLIFE AND HABITAT RECOVERY
Funding is available to individuals and organisations across Gippsland to help with the recovery of wildlife and habitats following the devastating summer of bushfires in Gippsland. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said support was available for individuals...
GIPPSLANDERS MUST GET LOWER PRICES AT THE BOWSER
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says Gippsland motorists deserve price relief at the bowser during the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Chester said coronavirus was having a significant impact on the Australian economy and the Federal Government was working with...
END HIGHWAY STALEMATE: CHESTER
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says work on major infrastructure projects such as the Princes Highway duplication, should continue in the region, despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Chester has written to the State Government seeking...
SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES EXPORTERS
The Federal Government is acting to ensure Gippsland’s agricultural and fisheries sectors can continue to export high-quality produce to overseas markets. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the new $110 million International Freight Assistance Mechanism...
CHESTER URGES GIPPSLANDERS TO LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER
Local MP Darren Chester is urging all Gippslanders to look after themselves and seek help if they need it. Mr Chester said new restrictions on day-to-day life designed to save lives and curb the spread of the coronavirus could leave Gippslanders feeling isolated....