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SWIFTS CREEK POOL UPGRADE UNDERWAY
Swifts Creek will soon be home to a new swimming pool as a major redevelopment of the pool and amenities gets underway. Local MP Darren Chester said the roof replacement works, installation of the pool chlorinators and solar heaters have now been completed. “Works on...
AUSTRALIA DAY: REFLECT. RESPECT. CELEBRATE
Australia Day is more than a public holiday – it’s the perfect opportunity to pause and reflect on what has made our nation successful, and the determination we have to overcome any challenges. But what makes Australia such a great nation? Other countries have...
PREMIER MUST ACT ON FARM WORKER SHORTAGE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is calling on Premier Daniel Andrews to bring in more Pacific workers to help address the seasonal farm worker shortage in the Victorian agricultural sector. Mr Chester wrote to the Premier in December expressing the...
FUNDING STRATEGIC PROJECTS CRITICAL IN RECOVERY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has nominated six strategic projects which should receive bushfire recovery funding as soon as possible to boost local jobs. Mr Chester said the long delays in announcing funding for regional economic recovery projects was...
WORKING TO IMPROVE MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE IN LICOLA
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the first step towards improving mobile phone coverage in Licola. Mr Chester said the installation of a new small cell would provide year-round coverage in Licola township. “The installation of a small cell...
BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND NOW OPEN
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging local councils and community organisations to now apply for the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF). Mr Chester said round five would support communities which had been affected by drought,...
#LOVEGIPPSLAND STRONGER COMMUNITIES PROGRAM NOW OPEN
Community groups across Gippsland can access Federal Government grants to upgrade and improve their facilities and resources. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said $150,000 had been allocated to upgrade local community infrastructure through round six of...
RECORD ROAD FUNDING ON THE WAY FOR GIPPSLAND
Gippsland motorists are set to benefit from record road funding for local projects over the next two years, according to local MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester said the Federal Government was partnering with other levels of government to deliver road and bridge projects...
BUSHFIRE ROADS RECEIVE FUNDING BOOST
Three arterial roads significantly impacted by last summer’s bushfires will receive more than $10 million in Federal Government funding to improve safety and resilience of the transport corridors. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Bonang Rd,...
BUSHFIRE COMMUNITY PROJECTS RECEIVE WELCOME BOOST
Nine community projects across East Gippsland will share in $2.4 million of funding to assist bushfire recovery efforts in the region under the Local Economic Recovery Program (LERP). Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the joint Federal-State Government...
BOOST FOR LAKES ENTRANCE ROADS
The transformation of Lakes Entrance’s main transport routes will continue in 2021 with the Federal Government signing off on $13.6 million worth of works. Local MP Darren Chester said the funding package would include the next stage of works on The Esplanade, a new...
PRINCES HIGHWAY EAST UPGRADES ANNOUNCED FOR GIPPSLAND
The Australian Government has today announced 12 projects totalling over $40 million to upgrade the Princes Highway East in Gippsland. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the projects would...
BOOST FOR SALE’S MARLEY STREET COMMUNITY HUB
A community organisation in Sale will receive a helping hand from the Federal Government to support its hard-working volunteers. Local MP Darren Chester said the Marley Street Community Hub would receive a grant worth more than $1000. “Volunteers and local community...
BOOST FOR GIRL GUIDES AT GLENGARRY WEST
A community organisation in the Latrobe Valley will benefit from Federal Government funding to support its hard-working volunteers. Local MP Darren Chester said $1,930 had been allocated to the Girl Guides Burnet Park Campsite in Glengarry West. “Volunteers and local...
BOOST FOR VOLUNTEER ORGANISATIONS IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Six local community organisations in East Gippsland will receive money from the Federal Government to support their hard-working volunteers. Local MP Darren Chester said grants between $1,000 and $5,000 had been allocated to help the local groups with their expenses....
DANCE HUB FOR EAST GIPPSLAND
A regional dance hub will be established in East Gippsland after receiving funding through the Federal Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund. Omeo Dance Inc has received a $68,000 grant to create the hub in East Gippsland. Federal Member...
FRAMEWORK IN PLACE AT FLYNN
The Flynn Recreation Reserve is a hub of activity with the slab laid and the framework in place for the new Flynn Hall. Local MP Darren Chester visited the site to see the new frame and work taking place. “Work officially commenced at the site at the end of October...
$1.7 million to support timber jobs in Gippsland
Local MP Darren Chester has announced the Federal Government will invest $1.7 million in an innovative advanced manufacturing facility in Heyfield to secure and create local jobs. Mr Chester said Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) would use the money to establish...
OMEO TRANSFORMS INTO A CENTRE FOR ADVENTURE SPORTS
Local MP Darren Chester says Omeo is on the cusp of becoming a must-visit destination for mountain bike enthusiasts. Speaking at the opening of the Omeo Pump and Skills Track at Livingstone Park, Mr Chester said the high country town had positioned itself perfectly to...
FACELIFT FOR YARRAM’S HISTORIC REGENT THEATRE TO START SOON
Work will start in the new year to restore a grand lady of Yarram, the historic Regent Theatre. Wellington Shire Council is calling for tenders to restore the façade of the building, which dates back to 1930. Local MP Darren Chester said the Federal Government had...
INVESTING IN ROAD SAFETY IN THE LATROBE VALLEY
Latrobe City is part way through a multi-million dollar works program that will help save lives on local roads. The municipality will receive around $2.5 million this financial year through the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery Program to fund the works. Local MP...
TECH HUB TO HELP SOLVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ISSUES IN THE REGIONS
People experiencing issues with their internet or mobile phone now have one place where they can get free independent advice and help to solve their problems. Local MP Darren Chester said the newly launched Regional Tech Hub would help Gippslanders to more easily...
GRANTS TO HELP MODERNISE MANUFACTURING IN GIPPSLAND
Manufacturers in Gippsland with shovel-ready projects to increase productivity and grow jobs can now apply for government funding to help modernise their operations. Local MP Darren Chester said businesses could now apply for between $100,000 and $1 million to invest...
ESPLANADE IMPROVEMENTS TO BE FINISHED FOR CHRISTMAS
The latest stage of the multi-million upgrade of the Esplanade in Lakes Entrance will be finished before Christmas. Local MP Darren Chester has paid tribute to the local workforce for cooperating with business owners and getting the job done with a minimum amount of...
STAY SAFE THIS SUMMER IN GIPPSLAND, URGES CHESTER
Gippslanders are being urged to take safety seriously this summer with visitor numbers in holiday hotspots expected to soar as Melbournians leave the city after months of coronavirus curfews and lockdowns. Local MP Darren Chester says traffic on the roads will be...
VALLEY FAMILY REPLACES LONG LOST MEDALS
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has helped one Latrobe Valley family replace lost war medals. Mr Chester met with Morwell resident Pat Ruane this week to present her with medals for her brother’s service during the Second...
BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND OPENING SOON
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging local councils and community organisations to prepare their applications for the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF). Mr Chester welcomed the release of the guidelines for round five and...
FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HEYFIELD TO HELP LIMIT IMPACT OF DROUGHT
The dedicated volunteers at the Heyfield RSL Sub-Branch will receive welcome help to give their building a needed facelift. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced the sub-branch in Heyfield would receive $10,000 towards re-cladding its Davis Street...
FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MEERLIEU TO HELP LIMIT IMPACT OF DROUGHT
The hard-working volunteers behind the Meerlieu Community Hall have been awarded a significant government grant to help them secure the hall’s important place at the centre of their community into the future. The hall’s committee of management is among groups and...
HAUNTED HILLS BIKE PARK WORK BEGINS
Work to create a unique mountain bike park for the Latrobe Valley is now underway. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today met with representatives from Gippsland MTB Inc, local community and trail building company Trailscapes to officially mark the...
SUPPORT GIPPSLANDERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Local MP Darren Chester is urging all Gippslanders to stand by one another and look forward to Christmas and the summer holidays with optimism. Mr Chester said it was more important than ever for Gippslanders to support each other as they marked 12 months since the...
BUSHFIRE RECOVERY SUPPORT PROGRAMS EXTENDED
More than $20 million has been provided to primary producers and small businesses in East Gippsland to help their recovery from the summer bushfires, says local MP Darren Chester. That total may grow further after the deadline for two assistance programs was extended...
MID MODERNISATION TO SUPPORT FARMERS AND LOCAL JOBS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the signing of a construction milestone funding agreement for phase two of the Macalister Irrigation District modernisation project will create welcome jobs. Mr Chester said the project would transform the MID’s ageing...
LATROBE CREATIVE PRECINCT FRAME IS UP
The new Latrobe Creative Precinct will be a striking piece of architecture in Traralgon’s CBD, says Local MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester, who recently stopped by the construction site, said he was impressed with how much work had progressed since his last visit with...
CASH-FLOW HELP FOR AGRICULTURAL SHOWS AND FIELD DAYS
Organisers of nine agricultural shows and field days in Gippsland forced to cancel this year’s events will receive a one-off payment from a $34 million Federal Government funding pool to help relieve cash-flow issues. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said...
NEW CODE TO PROTECT GIPPSLANDERS FROM SCAM CALLS
A new telecommunications industry code which promises to help protect the public and block scam telephone calls will give Gippslanders peace of mind, says local MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester has welcomed the new code developed by the telecommunications industry to...
NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDAL FOR BUSHFIRE AID
Those who helped out in response to last summer’s devastating bushfires between September 2019 and February 2020 may be eligible for the National Emergency Medal with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David...
MALLACOOTA GOLF COURSE PLAN REJECTED BY BUREAUCRATS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he is stunned that State Government bureaucrats have rejected a plan to restore the Mallacoota Golf Course which was devastated by last summer’s bushfires. Mr Chester has supported a $1.8 million plan to revegetate and...
FIRST TRAINS CROSS NEW AVON RIVER BRIDGE AT STRATFORD
Trains will today travel over the new $87 million rail bridge across the Avon River at Stratford for the first time following a 10-day construction blitz to fast-track its completion. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the milestone was one for all...
IMPROVING MOBILE PHONE TOWER RESILIENCE IN GIPPSLAND
Nine mobile phone towers across Gippsland will be upgraded so they will still work if there is a blackout during or after a natural disaster. Local MP Darren Chester said the Telstra would extend the life of back-up batteries at the mobile phone towers to provide a...
DROUGHT RESILIENCE FUNDING FOR FARMERS WELCOMED
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed new funding to help Gippsland farmers to become more resilient to prolonged dry periods. Mr Chester said today East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority would receive $440,000 to run workshops and...
CHESTER CONTINUES TO CAMPAIGN FOR RAIL TRAIL FUNDING
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is stepping up his efforts to secure funding for a bushfire recovery project that’s predicted to provide a multi-million dollar boost to East Gippsland’s economic activity each year and create dozens of local jobs. Mr...
UPGRADED SURFACES FOR TRARALGON TENNIS COURTS
Six tennis courts will be resurfaced at the Traralgon tennis courts complex thanks to Federal Government money. Local MP Darren Chester said the six courts would be resurfaced to improve the quality of the playing surface. “The current condition of courts 19 to 24 is...
CHESTER WELCOMES EXTENSION OF HOMEBUILDER PROGRAM
Changes to the HomeBuilder program will continue to support construction jobs in Gippsland and bring more government money into the local economy, says Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. The HomeBuilder program, which has driven demand for 27,000 new homes...
NEW FACILITIES FOR LATROBE VALLEY STUDENTS
Students in the Latrobe Valley will benefit from upgraded facilities and learning spaces thanks to funding from the Federal Government. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced two schools would receive a share of $3.75 million to make upgrades to the...
FLOODING IN NOWA NOWA COMPLICATES ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Low-level flooding of community infrastructure at Nowa Nowa is making recovery from the bushfires and coronavirus pandemic more difficult for local business owners, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester met with business and community...
MUCH NEEDED BOOST FOR FISHERS MENTAL HEALTH IN GIPPSLAND
Lakes Entrance has been chosen as one of three locations in Australia to host a specialised mental health program for the commercial fishing industry. Stay Afloat Australia will have three advocates available to provide professional mental health support. Federal...
GIPPSLAND TEACHER WINS AUSTRALIAN TRAINING AWARD
TAFE Gippsland Timber Training Unit manager, Kevin Nunn has been awarded the Australian VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year. Local MP Darren Chester congratulated Mr Nunn and said it was a testament to his teaching efforts and community contribution. “Earlier this month...
LET’S MAKE IT A GREAT GIPPSLAND CHRISTMAS, CHESTER URGES
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has launched a campaign to promote Gippsland businesses and support local jobs as the countdown to Christmas begins. Mr Chester said his Great Gippsland Christmas campaign would encourage people to shop locally by showcasing...
SAFE HAVENS FOR THREATENED NATIVE MAMMALS
Ten threatened native mammals found in Gippsland are on a priority list of species targeted for special protection measures as the Federal Government expands its network of safe havens to reduce the risk of the animals’ extinction. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren...