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CHESTER HUMBLED BY ELECTION WIN
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he’s ‘incredibly humbled’ by the election result which delivered significant swings to him across the region, despite the change in government. Mr Chester recorded an increased primary vote of more than 55%, as voters...
GIPPSLAND VETERANS WELFARE CENTRE BOOST
The Gippsland Veterans Welfare Centre in Sale will receive a $2 million boost if the Federal Coalition Government is returned on Saturday. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the money would upgrade facilities to provide additional services for local...
VALLEY LANDS A BIG BARRA
The Latrobe Valley will become home to the world’s largest indoor barramundi aquaculture farm with a $30 million boost from the Federal Government. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the consortium of private investors planning to build the $125 million farm...
HIGHWAY SWITCH AT FLYNN
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured) says the Princes Highway duplication project has reached a major milestone with traffic switched to the new section at Flynn. The $250 million final three stages of the project is 80% funded by the Federal...
BACKING CLEAN HYDROGEN AND CARBON CAPTURE IN GIPPSLAND
The Coalition Government is backing the development of clean hydrogen and carbon capture and storage technologies in Victoria’s Gippsland region, providing job and economic growth opportunities for the community. The Government is investing more than $42.9 million in...
CHESTER ATTENDS MOTHER’S DAY CLASSIC
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (left) and Mother’s Day Classic host Darren McCubbin at the start line of the 8km charity run. Hundreds of locals ran and walked around Lake Guthridge to support breast cancer survivors, remember loved ones and raise money...
PRINCES HIGHWAY WORKS BOOSTING SAFETY
A $3.6 million upgrade to one of the worst sections of the Princes Highway will improve safety and resilience of the key transport link, according to Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured). Mr Chester inspected progress on the Mt Drummer section of the...
CHESTER TIPS RECORD PRE-POLL
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is predicting record numbers of pre-polling as early voting centres open today (Monday) across Gippsland. Mr Chester said the combined impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and increased opening hours of early voting...
MAJOR CONNECTIVITY BOOST FOR EAST GIPPSLAND
Further funding to reduce mobile phone blackspots and improve connectivity in East Gippsland will deliver long-term safety, social and economic benefits, according to local MP Darren Chester. The Federal Member for Gippsland has welcomed over $2 million of funding in...
NEW VIEWING PLATFORM FOR HEYFIELD WETLANDS
Heyfield wetlands volunteers are continuing to transform the popular nature reserve with upgraded trails, revegetation and a new viewing platform. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured) met with volunteer Barry Donahoe who provided a guided tour of the...
ROAD DELAYS RISKING LIVES
A failure to upgrade a busy intersection in Lakes Entrance is putting residents at risk of serious injuries, according to Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester has written to the State Government seeking an urgent explanation why work hasn’t started on the...
BACKING LATROBE VALLEY MANUFACTURING FUTURE
The Morrison Government is investing $48.2 million in a state-of-the-art energy from waste facility in the Latrobe Valley, helping to power Opal’s pulp and paper mill while driving down emissions. The Government has today announced funding for Masdar Tribe Australia’s...
CHESTER SEEKS GREAT ALPINE ROAD BOOST
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says a multi-year program of upgrades is needed to improve safety on one of Gippsland’s most important arterial roads. Mr Chester has called on the Federal and State Governments to list the Great Alpine Road as a ‘Road of...
BONANG ROAD SEALING THIS YEAR
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured) says he has been assured that work to complete the sealing of the Bonang Road will be completed within 12 months. Mr Chester secured $9 million for the sealing of the final 12 kilometres of the road to improve...
WHAT’S NEXT FOR LAKES ENTRANCE?
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester will be asking Lakes Entrance residents “what’s next for our town” in a survey to be distributed ahead of the election on May 21. Mr Chester said the town was halfway through a major transformation and it was timely to ask...
FUNDING BOOST FOR RAYMOND ISLAND KOALAS
Raymond Island’s koala population and native wildlife has received a major boost as part of a $1.3 million initiative funded by all levels of government. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has congratulated Raymond Island Landcare volunteers and friends who...
WELCOME FUNDING FOR GIPPSLAND VETERANS WELFARE CENTRE
The home of Gippsland Veterans Welfare Centre in Sale is about to receive a new roof thanks to a $120,000 Federal Government grant. The Sale RSL has successfully applied for funding under the government’s ‘Veteran and Community Grants’ program which is aimed at...
CHESTER BACKS FIGHT FOR TIMBER JOBS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has told a Timber Towns Victoria Roundtable ‘we need to keep fighting to save our timber industry because people and wildlife die in poorly managed forests’ Speaking at a forum in Heyfield this week, Mr Chester urged TTV to...
LAKES ENTRANCE BOARDWALK TO BOOST JOBS
Work to construct an all-abilities boardwalk and shared pathway around the shores of Cunninghame Arm in Lakes Entrance will start this year thanks to $5.8 million in Federal Government funding. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured additional funding for...
HUGE WIN FOR BUCHAN COMMUNITY
The Buchan Recreation Reserve will receive a $4.2 million facelift after an additional $3 million in bushfire recovery funding was secured this week. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured) said he had been advised by Bushfire Recovery Victoria that an...
TRIAL TO HELP PROTECT THREATENED SPECIES IN GIPPSLAND
East Gippsland Conservation Management Network (EGCMN) will improve protection for Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies in Gippsland thanks to Federal Government funding. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said EGCMN received $200,663 through the Environment Restoration Fund....
ARC TO CELEBRATE 40 YEARS
The Art Resource Collective (Arc) in Yinnar will mark 40 years with support from the Federal Government. Arc received $3,000 through the Federal Government’s Culture, Heritage and Arts Regional Tourism (CHART) program. Local MP Darren Chester said the funding would...
LOCAL CINEMA RECEIVES BOOST
A Gippsland independent cinema has received a financial boost thanks to the Federal Government’s SCREEN Fund. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said Sun Cinema in Bairnsdale received $60,000 as one-off financial relief due to the impacts of COVID-19 on cinema...
MARINE PARADE WIN FOR LAKES ENTRANCE
One of Lakes Entrance’s busiest roads will receive a $6.5 million facelift thanks to a Federal Government grant. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured the funding on behalf of East Gippsland Shire Council, which will manage the project. “With the major...
STATEMENT REGARDING ELECTION ANNOUNCMENT
The Prime Minister has called a Federal election for May 21 and I will be contesting the seat of Gippsland. The past three years have been challenging for our region with the combined impacts of drought, bushfires, storms, floods and the coronavirus pandemic. I...
EMERGENCY SERVICES MURAL TAKING SHAPE IN ORBOST
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Orbost CFA Captain Dick Johnstone (pictured) taking a close up look at the mural which is taking shape on the wall of the Orbost Club Hotel. “Across Gippsland we’ve seen many talented artists produce huge works of art in...
MRI’S MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR GIPPSLANDERS
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the announcement of the deregulation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Licensing as part of the Federal Budget. Mr Chester said the deregulation would allow clinics and providers to deliver Medicare-subsidised MRI...
FUNDING BOOST FOR LOCAL COUNCILS
Three Gippsland councils will share in $7.7 million in additional Federal Government funding to undertake local priority projects. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Government is supporting Australia’s economic recovery by funding local initiative...
DOWNIES BRIDGE NEARING COMPLETION
Work to upgrade Downies Bridge in Traralgon South is well underway. Local MP Darren Chester said the replacement of the timber bridge was funded through the Federal Government’s Bridges Renewal Program. “The timber bridge was no longer fit for purpose and needed to be...
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR BRIDGE UPGRADES
More bridges in Gippsland will be eligible to be replaced as part of the Federal Government’s Bridges Renewal Program (BRP). Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the program would allocate a further $10 million each year for the next four years to replace...
ROAD AND RAIL UPGRADES CONTINUE IN GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured) says the Federal Government will fund $182 million worth of road and rail work in the region during the 2022-23 financial year. The Federal Budget detailed the funds that will actually flow into Gippsland over the...
BUDGET INVESTS IN A STRONGER GIPPSLAND
The Federal Budget will support Gippsland’s ongoing recovery from the coronavirus and natural disasters with a focus on infrastructure spending and cost of living relief for local families. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the budget’s...
GRANTS TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTING EVENTS
Funding to support local community sporting events is now available through the Federal Government. Local MP Darren Chester said local groups and event organisers could now apply for financial support through the Regional Sports Events Fund. “Coronavirus restrictions...
SAFE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FOR MCNAIRN ROAD
The McNairn Road pedestrian crossing will be upgraded thanks to Federal Government funding. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured) said he had been working with Latrobe City Council and secured $900,000 for the works through the Local Roads and Community...
CHESTER TAKES PART IN LOCAL FUN RUN
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester pictured with the two fastest junior runners in the Latrobe City Community Fun Run, Isaac Frost and Emily Harris at Morwell on Sunday. The annual event was organised by the Traralgon Harriers to raise money for Gippsland...
LOCAL ARTIST WINS AT WOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester officially opened the Australian Wood Design Exhibition which is at the Orbost Exhibition Centre until June 19. Mr Chester is pictured with Bairnsdale wood-worker Trevor Herbstreit whose ‘Scimitar Skeleton Clock’ won an...
LOCAL ARTIST FEATURED IN WOOD EXHIBITION
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester officially opened the Australian Wood Design Exhibition which is at the Orbost Exhibition Centre until June 19. Mr Chester is pictured with award-winning Lakes Entrance wood-worker Lucas Helmers whose creative piece featured...
BUSHFIRE COMMUNITY PROJECTS WELCOMED
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says two additional community projects worth $5.9 million will receive funding to support the ongoing recovery from the Black Summer bushfires. Mr Chester has welcomed the decision by the Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce to...
REEF BRINGS NEW LIFE TO GIPPSLAND LAKES
A new native shellfish reef will bring new life to the Gippsland Lakes as well as providing a boost of up to 25 local jobs and enhancing tourism and recreation. Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said local rock material would be used to establish a new...
HOT SPRINGS TO BOOST ECONOMY
Work on the multi-million dollar Metung Hot Springs is progressing well with local MP Darren Chester saying the project will create jobs and transform the East Gippsland visitor economy. Mr Chester inspected the site with Managing Director Adrian Bromage and was...
IMPROVED COURTS FOR TYERS REC RESERVE
Local netballers will enjoy safer court surfaces at Tyers Recreation Reserve with a major upgrade funded by the Federal Government. Local MP Darren Chester said the court upgrades were part of phase three of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program in...
SWIFTS CREEK REC RESERVE TO BE UPGRADED
Swifts Creek Recreation Reserve will undergo a much-needed upgrade thanks to Federal and State Government funding. Local MP Darren Chester said the funding would establish improved sporting facilities and modern amenities for locals. “I worked with the community to...
CHESTER VISITS ST VINCENT DE PAUL PRIMARY SCHOOL
Local MP Darren Chester presented student leaders at St Vincent de Paul Primary School in Morwell, with their achievement certificates. Mr Chester spoke with the students about the history of migrants in our region and the role that diverse cultures have played in the...
NEW FACILITIES FOR OMEO RODEO
Omeo Rodeo has modernised its facilities after receiving Federal Government funding. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the project would be a great boost for the region. “Omeo Rodeo has received $170,800 from the Federal Government through the Bushfire...
UPGRADES COMPLETE FOR GLENGARRY HALL
Local MP Darren Chester (pictured) recently inspected completed work at the Glengarry Mechanics Institute. Mr Chester said upgrades were made to the interior and exterior of the hall to improve accessibility and useability of the hall. The Federal Government provided...
VULNERABLE YOUNG GIPPSLANDERS RECEIVE BOOST
A program to support disengaged young people has received a funding boost thanks to the Federal Government. Local MP Darren Chester announced that GippSport had received $849,930 for the Gen-G on the go program through the Federal Government’s Safer Communities Fund....
$8.5M TO BUILD INNOVATIVE GIPPSLAND RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK
“Gippsland has the potential to become the newest renewable energy hub in Victoria, with utility-scale solar, wind, battery storage and potentially clean hydrogen,” Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Tim Wilson said. The...
CHESTER VISITS MORWELL CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL
Local MP Darren Chester visited Morwell Central Primary School recently to meet with school leaders and present them with their Achievement Certificates. Mr Chester spoke with the students about local issues, what being a Member of Parliament meant and the upcoming...
FURTHER FUNDING TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES
Local businesses and community groups can apply for funding to assist Gippsland as it recovers from the impacts of the coronavirus. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Rebuilding Regional Communities Program is providing funding for community-led...
BULLOCK ISLAND WORK PROGRESSING WELL
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured) says work to replace the Bullock Island bridge is progressing well and was part of a major redevelopment of facilities. The Federal Government has provided $5 million for the bridge replacement and associated road...