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BUREAUCRATS NEED MORE URGENCY ON BUSHFIRE FUNDS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the bureaucracy needs to develop a greater sense of urgency to distribute a $68.8 million economic recovery program for bushfire impacted parts of Victoria, including East Gippsland. Mr Chester said it had taken too...
EARLY COMPLETION FOR STRATFORD’S NEW RAIL BRIDGE OVER THE AVON RIVER
The new rail bridge over the Avon River in Stratford is on track to be completed ahead of schedule, with trains able to travel on the new structure from December. The Avon River Bridge is part of the Gippsland Line Upgrade, which will allow more frequent and reliable...
GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY BUSHFIRE RECOVERY PROJECTS
Up to $150,000 is now available to local groups and organisations working to help the landscape and wildlife recover from the summer bushfires. Local MP Darren Chester wants community and conservation groups, indigenous organisations and local councils in Gippsland to...
TENDERS OPEN TO BUILD NEW BULLOCK ISLAND BRIDGE
Qualified construction companies have less than two weeks to submit their tender to build a new bridge to Bullock Island near the gateway to Lakes Entrance. East Gippsland Shire Council has invited tenders to construct the replacement bridge. The council has also...
$90,000 HELPING HAND FOR EAST GIPPSLAND NEWSPAPERS
The Bairnsdale Advertiser, Lakes Post and Snowy River Mail will receive more than $90,000 from the Federal Government to support local journalism during the coronavirus pandemic. Local MP Darren Chester said the three mastheads were the latest media outlets...
SUNSHADE FOR BRIAGOLONG PRIMARY SCHOOL
Briagolong Primary School is ensuring its students are well protected from the sun while playing outside. The school has installed shade structures over the playground area with a helping hand from the Federal Government. Local MP Darren Chester said the $16,000...
CHESTER WELCOMES PROGRESS ON ENERGY FROM WASTE FACILITY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed progress on a project in the Latrobe Valley that promises to create hundreds of jobs. Opal Australian Paper and SUEZ plan to begin construction on an Energy from Waste facility at the Maryvale paper mill before...
HISTORIC PAVILION IN TRARALGON RECEIVES WELCOME ATTENTION
Work to repair and refurbish a pavilion at the Traralgon Recreation Reserve is well underway. The Traralgon and District Agricultural Society received a $157,525 grant from the Federal Government to complete the works. Local MP Darren Chester said the funding would...
EAST GIPPSLAND RAIL TRAIL $10 MILLION: TIME TO GET STUFF DONE
Bushfire recovery should be kick-started with a $10 million commitment to the East Gippsland Rail Trail and historic trestle railway bridges, according to the Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. A proposed bushfire recovery project to upgrade the East...
BUREAU BAN IS A MISTAKE, SAYS CHESTER
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is urging the Bureau of Meteorology to reverse its unexpected ban on local meteorologists providing weather forecasts on local radio stations. Mr Chester said his office had received dozens of requests from Gippslanders who...
MALLACOOTA’S COMMUNITY CLUBROOMS COMPLETE
Local MP Darren Chester says the newly completed clubrooms in Mallacoota will be a valuable community asset for the town. Mr Chester was among the first people to stop by the new clubrooms during a recent visit to the town. “Everyone who has helped to secure the new...
TENDERS OPEN FOR OFF-FIELD FACILITIES AT SALE OVAL
Federal MP Darren Chester says progress to upgrade off-field facilities at Sale Oval is welcome news for players, spectators and local businesses. Wellington Shire Council has invited commercial builders to tender to undertake the upgrade at the oval. The work has...
MP SEEKS $10 MILLION FOR MALLACOOTA ROAD
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is seeking a $10 million road funding commitment to improve safety and boost tourism in Mallacoota and Gypsy Point. The local MP has placed a bid with the Federal Government to provide the money for the main access road...
TENDERS OPEN FOR WORLD SPORTING PRECINCT PROJECT
Federal MP Darren Chester says progress on the multi-million dollar redevelopment of the WORLD Sporting Precinct is welcome news for sports clubs in Bairnsdale and local businesses. East Gippsland Shire Council has called for tenders to undertake work on the first...
NEW MOBILE BASE STATION SWITCHED ON AT MANORINA
A new mobile base station has been switched on in East Gippsland and is now undergoing final testing. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the new macro cell base station was located on the Princes Highway about halfway between Orbost and Cann River. “This...
UPGRADES TO CLUB ROOMS AT TYERS RECREATION RESERVE
Local players, officials and their families have something to look forward to as they return to Tyers Recreation Reserve after a disrupted year. Work to replace the roof and ceiling of the club rooms, used by groups like the Traralgon Tyers Football Netball Club, is...
FUNDING HELP FOR GIPPSLAND’S REMOTE AIRSTRIPS AND AERODOMES
Owners and operators of aerodromes and airstrips in far east Gippsland can now apply for government funding up to $500,000 to undertake important upgrades to maintain safety and accessibility. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging eligible owners...
HALL UPGRADES FOR EAST GIPPSLAND COMMUNITIES
Four community halls in East Gippsland will be upgraded to better prepare for future natural disasters, thanks to Local Economic Recovery Funding announced today. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said $1.08 million had been allocated to East Gippsland and...
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS KEY TO STRONGER FUTURE FOR OMEO
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the Omeo Mountain Bike Trails project could provide the next economic boom for Gippsland’s high country communities. Mr Chester said the $4.5 million project had drawn significant government investment into a region...
ON TRACK: $13,000 FOR BOOLARRA TO YINNAR RAIL TRAIL
Gippslanders may soon have a new trail to explore as part of the impressive network of rail trails throughout the region. A business case and master plan are being developed for a new path between the townships of Yinnar and Boolarra as part of the Grand Ridge Rail...
‘BOLD’ BUDGET PLAN SECURING JOBS IN GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has described this year’s Budget as ‘a bold plan that invests in people, businesses and our communities to create jobs and keep us safe’. Mr Chester has welcomed the Budget’s focus on supporting and creating new jobs,...
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE REBATE SCHEME EXTENDED
A rebate scheme that helps farmers to secure the water supply on their properties has been extended. The Federal Government has committed another $50 million for the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme, bringing the total to $100 million being made...
BUDGET BOOST FOR BONANG ROAD
The Bonang Road will finally be fully sealed after years of campaigning by local residents, business owners and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester has confirmed the Federal Budget will include an additional $7 million to seal 12 kilometres of the...
$200 MILLION PACKAGE TO GET VISITORS BACK TO REGIONAL AREAS
Federal MP Darren Chester says he’ll work with local councils and the community to help Gippsland secure additional funding for tourism infrastructure from a new $200 million fund announced this week. “There will be $200 million in next week’s budget with $100 million...
NEW TASKFORCE TO GET GPPSLANDERS BACK IN WORK
A jobs and skills taskforce will be established in Gippsland to help people get into paid employment. Local MP Darren Chester said Gippsland was one of 25 regions across Australia where a taskforce would be set up. “This new taskforce will support our region’s...
FUNDING UP TO $200,000 AVAILABLE FOR DROUGHT RESILIENCE
Local MP Darren Chester is encouraging Gippslanders to seek a share of a $10 million fund to help prepare for future droughts. Farmer groups and organisations as well as individual producers can now apply for grants of between $20,000 and $200,000 to improve the...
$1.8 MILLION FOR SHELLFISH REEFS IN THE GIPPSLAND LAKES
The Federal Government will spend $1.8 million to establish five hectares of shellfish reefs in the Gippsland Lakes between Metung and Lakes Entrance to improve the health of the ecosystem, support local jobs and boost visitor numbers. Local MP Darren Chester said the...
INVESTING IN BETTER, SAFER ROADS IN WELLINGTON
Local MP Darren Chester says the busy commercial heart of Maffra will be safer when Wellington Shire’s $3.3 million streetscape renewal project is complete. Mr Chester said work along the southern service lane of Johnson Street, funded with $1 million from the Federal...
CHESTER BACKS RAIL-TRAIL REDEVELOPMENT AND VISITOR ECONOMY
A $100 million boost to regions severely impacted by bushfires and the coronavirus is the perfect opportunity to invest in the Gippsland visitor economy, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester says Gippsland is one of 10 regions in...
ALMOST $1.1 MILLION FOR BETTER BRIDGES AND ROADS
Gippsland will receive almost $1.1 million in Federal Government funding for better bridges and roads. Local MP Darren Chester today announced two bridges would be upgraded and a road rebuilt and widened as part of works with a total value around $2.2 million. “It’s a...
OPENING OF THE GIPPSLAND PLAINS RAIL TRAIL
More Gippslanders of all abilities will be able to enjoy the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail with the completion of two federally-funded projects. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $267,000 for the rail trail as part of a package of improvements. Mr...
$200 MILLION INVESTMENT IN REGIONAL TOURISM
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he will work with local councils to secure additional funding for tourism infrastructure following the announcement of a new $200 million fund. The Federal Government has announced a new round of the Building Better...
$210,000 TO HELP REVIVE GIPPSLAND’S VISITOR ECONOMY
Eight major events in Gippsland will share $210,000 to help revive local towns impacted by the summer bushfires and a drop in visitor numbers due to the coronavirus. The Bruthen Blues Arts and Music Festival, Paynesville Music Festival, Wild Harvest Seafood Festival...
LATROBE VALLEY TO POTENTIALLY BENEFIT FROM INVESTMENT IN LOW EMISSIONS TECHNOLOGY
The Latrobe Valley has been identified as a potential beneficiary of the Federal Government’s $1.9 billion investment in low emissions technology. The investment, as part of the coming Federal Budget, includes $70.2 million for a regional hydrogen export hub and $50...
MAKING WAY FOR A NEW EXHIBITION SHED AT YARRAM SHOWGROUNDS
The old exhibition shed at the Yarram Showgrounds is no more. The derelict building has been demolished and will be replaced with a new exhibition and storage shed. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $250,000 in Federal Government funding for the...
CHESTER BACKS PUSH TO FIND THE FACTS BEHIND NATIVE TIMBER DECISION
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has thrown his support behind efforts to uncover the reasons behind a State Government decision to halt all native timber logging by 2030. The Native Timber Taskforce (NTT) has lodged a Freedom of Information request to the...
CHESTER WELCOMES NBN UPGRADE
Gippslanders will have access to ultra-fast broadband as part of a $4.5 billion investment and upgrade to the National Broadband Network (NBN). The network investment will give up to 75 per cent of fixed line premises across regional and metropolitan Australia access...
FUNDING TO SUPPORT GREATER ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Two community groups in Gippsland are on their way to becoming more energy efficient after securing welcome financial help from the Federal Government. Local MP Darren Chester has announced the Sale Tennis Club and Heyfield’s War Memorial Hall will now be able to...
GET SNAPPING AND ENTER THE #LOVEGIPPSLAND CALENDAR COMPETITION
Local MP Darren Chester is urging keen photographers to get out and about in Gippsland to capture a great photo for inclusion in his 2021 #lovegippsland calendar. Mr Chester said the relaxation of coronavirus travel restrictions meant there was no reason why locals...
TENDERS CALLED FOR HEYFIELD PUMP TRACK
A major project in the heart of Heyfield to create a youth precinct comprising a new bicycle pump track and an expanded skate park has reached an important milestone. Wellington Shire Council is now inviting civil construction contractors to submit their tender to...
INVESTING IN ROAD SAFETY IN EAST GIPPSLAND
East Gippsland Shire Council has received a $2.33 million payment from the Federal Government to improve the safety of local roads. The money is part of almost $18 million East Gippsland will receive under the Roads to Recovery Program over four years to 2023-24....
CHESTER BACKS EAST GIPPSLAND RAIL TRAIL DEVELOPMENT
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is urging all levels of government and the community to support a $6.5 million plan to redevelop the East Gippsland Rail Trail and provide a link to Lakes Entrance. Mr Chester has been working closely with the volunteer...
LATROBE CREATIVE PRECINCT REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
A new landmark is taking shape in the heart of Traralgon – and it’s unlike anything else in the Latrobe Valley. The steel frame of a 25-metre fly tower has risen near Church Street at the site of the Latrobe Creative Precinct. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren...
CHESTER: EASING OF RESTRICTIONS WELCOME NEWS FOR GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the easing of coronavirus restrictions from tomorrow night in regional Victoria will be an important first step towards a return to normal for communities across Gippsland. Mr Chester said social isolation and the...
HEADTOHELP: MENTAL HEALTH HUBS AND SATELLITE SITES TO SUPPORT GIPPSLAND DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
HeadtoHelp is an initiative in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is being led by the six Victorian Primary Health Networks (PHNs). Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, it was announced yesterday by the Australian Government's Minister for Health, Greg...
BONANG HIGHWAY UPGRADE A STEP CLOSER: CHESTER
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he’s optimistic the Bonang Highway will finally be fully sealed after positive discussions with his Federal Government colleagues. Mr Chester has formally written to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack requesting $9 million...
WORKS CONTINUE IN MORWELL’S COMMERCIAL HEART
Works are continuing along Tarwin Street and Commercial Road as part of the Morwell Revitalisation project. Local MP Darren Chester said there had been extensive work along Commercial Road and Tarwin Street over the past few months to create a more pedestrian-friendly...
SURF LIFE SAVING CLUBS A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT
A report into the value of surf life saving has found what many people in Gippsland already know: our volunteers are worth their weight in gold. Deloitte Access Economics did the calculations and put a price on the social and economic value of Surf Life Saving...
OP ED: WE NEED TO ADOPT RULES THAT REFLECT THE RISK IN EACH REGION
As Victorians, we need to stay positive and optimistic about the future, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t question some of the decisions that are being made to manage the coronavirus pandemic. Too many of the decisions being made by city-based politicians and...
SUPPORTING YOUNG GIPPSLANDERS THROUGH 2020 AND BEYOND
It’s no secret that 2020 has been a tough year for people in Gippsland. Drought, bushfires and the coronavirus have impacted many lives, including teenagers and those in their early twenties. That’s why the Federal Government is now offering grants between $5000 and...