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LAKES ENTRANCE CHANGEROOM UPGRADE COMPLETE
The long awaited transformation of the Lakes Entrance Football Netball Club changerooms is officially complete. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the $500,000 upgrade was great news for all users of the Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve. “The upgrade...
NATIONALS MPS REQUEST ADF ASSISTANCE
Gippsland National MPs Darren Chester and Melina Bath say the Australian Defence Force (ADF) should be called in to help clean up the region after massive storms and flood damage. The MPs are urging the State Government to request the ADF support, saying the recovery...
CHESTER SAYS RECOVERY COULD COST MILLIONS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the full extent of the flood damage was becoming clearer as waters subsided early yesterday, showing it would be a significant cost to residents and local communities. “With hundreds of buildings impacted along with the...
WORKS PROGRESSING ALONG MALLACOOTA-GENOA ROAD
Works to improve safety on Mallacoota-Genoa Road are well underway but there’s much more to be done, according to local MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester drove the improved section this week and then met with local residents to discuss future upgrade opportunities....
CHESTER: STATEMENT ON GIPPSLAND FLOODS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has expressed his sympathy for the many locals who have experienced significant property and asset losses due to floods across Gippsland, particularly in Latrobe Valley. “It will be a significant clean-up effort to restore...
SCIENTISTS TO ASSESS GIPPSLAND WETLANDS
The impacts of bushfire events on Victoria’s Gippsland Lakes Ramsar site will be investigated by scientists to help build resilience and protect them into the future. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has been working to secure funding for an environmental...
$236,600 TO BOOST WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN STEM
Workforce Plus Inc has received a $236,600 grant to deliver the Change Makers of Gippsland project that will break down the barriers preventing girls and women getting into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and careers. Federal Member...
TEAM TO COMBAT DRUG AND ALCOHOL HARM IN LATROBE
The Latrobe Valley will now have a dedicated Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) to help combat the harm of drugs and alcohol in the region. Local MP Darren Chester welcomed the announcement, saying it was the fourth LDAT established in Gippsland. “Having dedicated services...
IMPROVED COURTS FOR TRARALGON TENNIS COMPLEX
Local tennis players now have safer facilities to play on with work to improve the Traralgon tennis courts complex now complete. Six tennis courts have been resurfaced to improve the quality of the playing surface, thanks to Federal Government money. Local MP Darren...
CHESTER AND DPM VISIT PATTIES
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack toured Patties Foods facility in Bairnsdale to showcase some of Gippsland’s manufacturing industry. Mr Chester and Mr McCormack visited to view the facility and hear about the...
$9m in fire recovery funds headed to East Gippsland
A number of key projects from Mallacoota to Swift’s Creek have been funded in the latest round of the Federal and State funded Local Economic Recovery (LER) grants program announced today and while local MP’s are happy, they want more. Local Federal and State...
UPGRADES FOR LAKES ENTRANCE REC RESERVE
Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve facilities upgrades will take another step forward with an additional grant through bushfire recovery funding. Local MP Darren Chester said just over $400,000 had been allocated to improve shower and toilet amenities along with a new...
BRUTHEN RECREATION RESERVE TO GET $1 MILLION UPGRADE
The Bruthen community is set to benefit from a $1.07 million upgrade to the Bruthen Recreation Reserve. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said this transformational project would upgrade existing amenities as well as providing additional amenities for club...
$1.9 MILLION TO UPGRADE MALLACOOTA GOLF CLUB
The Mallacoota Golf Club is set to receive funding to rebuild and restructure the course after last summer’s bushfires. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said this was a huge victory for the club who suffered significantly during the bushfires. “The funding...
SIX LOCAL MEN’S SHEDS SHARE IN FUNDING
Men’s sheds in Gippsland will receive a welcome funding boost through the National Shed Development Program. Local MP Darren Chester announced six local men’s sheds would share in more than $12,000 in funding. “Men’s sheds are an integral part of local communities and...
GRANTS TO SUPPORT DEFENCE COMMUNITY IN SALE
Australian Defence Force (ADF) families who have provided essential support to the defence community have received a funding boost under the Government’s Family Support Funding Program (FSFP). Federal Member for Gippsland and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence...
WORKS COMPLETE AT LUCKNOW RECREATION RESERVE
Works to transform Lucknow Recreation Reserve are now complete with the new change rooms, expanded club rooms and upgraded netball courts finished. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the new facilities were finished in time for this weekend’s first home...
$2 MILLION FOR THE EAST GIPPSLAND RAIL TRAIL
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack today visited the East Gippsland Rail Trail to inspect the site before work gets underway. Mr Chester secured $2 million for an upgrade of the first stage of the rail trail as...
Nationals back timber jobs at Gippsland forestry forum
A round table forum with Gippsland forestry professionals and Nationals MP’s has reaffirmed support for Victoria’s sustainable native and plantation timber industry. Held at the Gippsland Forestry Hub in Churchill, the group discussed future strategies to support the...
$16 MILLION TO UPGRADE FOUR TRARALGON INTERSECTIONS
More than $16 million has been allocated towards upgrading four major Traralgon intersections to improve safety in Latrobe City. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the funding had been announced as part of the 2021-22 Budget. “This funding will add to...
SUPPORT FOR DISABILITY SECTOR IN GIPPSLAND
The disability sector in Gippsland will benefit from a Federal Government grant as part of the Local Recovery Fund. Local MP Darren Chester said the $177,048 investment would help train locals to enter the disability sector. “Generation Australian will deliver an...
LET’S SAVE LIVES THIS NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK
This week is National Road Safety Week, a time to reflect on the impact of trauma on our roads and encourage everyone to drive safe. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said this week was an opportunity to honour and remember the lives lost on Gippsland roads...
MORE THAN $300 MILLION TO BUILD A SAFER, STRONGER AND FAIRER GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he is looking forward to seeing work get underway on more than $300 million in Federal Government spending, confirmed in this week’s Budget. Mr Chester said additional funding for infrastructure across the region would...
MORE THAN $300 MILLION TO BUILD A SAFER, STRONGER AND FAIRER GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he is looking forward to seeing work get underway on more than $300 million in Federal Government spending, confirmed in this week’s Budget. Mr Chester said additional funding for infrastructure across the region would...
MORE THAN $300 MILLION TO BUILD A SAFER, STRONGER AND FAIRER GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he is looking forward to seeing work get underway on more than $300 million in Federal Government spending, confirmed in this week’s Budget. Mr Chester said additional funding for infrastructure across the region would...
BUDGET SUPPORTS SAFER, STRONGER, FAIRER GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said this year’s federal Budget continued to build a safer, stronger and fairer Gippsland. Mr Chester welcomed the Budget’s focus on additional funding to keep delivering infrastructure and securing the jobs Gippslanders...
Nationals MP’s welcome Federal Court judgement on VicForests
Gippsland timber jobs are more secure following the announcement the full bench of the Federal Court unanimously upheld VicForests appeal against a single judge’s decision a year ago. The initial ruling forced timber harvesting operations to cease across many coupes...
GIPPSLAND BENEFITS FROM BOOST TO BULK BILLING
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the Federal Government’s investment of more than $65 million to boost bulk billing rebates from January 1, 2022. Mr Chester said the funding would provide more affordable healthcare for patients in regional,...
$10 MILLION TO UPGRADE MALLACOOTA-GENOA ROAD
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the announcement of $10 million for a much needed upgrade of Mallacoota-Genoa Road in the Budget. Mr Chester has campaigned for funding to improve the main access road that links Mallacoota to the Princes...
CHESTER WELCOMES REGIONAL SUPPORT IN UPCOMING BUDGET
Gippsland will benefit greatly as part of the upcoming Federal Budget. Local MP Darren Chester has welcomed a raft of measures that will support regional Australia and boost the region’s recovery. “I am pleased to see dedicated funding and support for the regions,...
MORE FUNDING FOR BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the announcement of round six of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack recently announced $250...
KALIMNA LOOKOUT $1.5M FUNDING BOOST
The Federal Government will provide an additional $1.5 million to develop an all abilities accessible viewing platform, offering spectacular views over the Lakes Entrance township and Gippsland Lakes. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured $1.5...
MALLACOOTA STREETSCAPE UPGRADE FUNDS
The Federal Government will provide $1.5 million to support a major upgrade of the Mallacoota streetscape, as the town recovers from last summer’s bushfires. Local MP Darren Chester has secured the funding under the Regional Recovery Partnership program which was...
ADDITIONAL BOOST FOR LOCAL SHOWS AND FIELD DAYS
Four agricultural and pastoral societies in Gippsland have received an additional boost as part of the of Federal Government’s Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program. Local MP Darren Chester said that the supplementary grants would support local...
$4 MILLION FOR EAST GIPPSLAND WILDLIFE BUSHFIRE RECOVERY
East Gippsland landholders, Landcare groups, community organisations, Indigenous groups and Traditional Owners will receive $4 million in funding from the Morrison Government to assist in the recovery of native wildlife and habitat devastated by the black summer...
MORWELL RECREATION RESERVE TRANSFORMATION COMPLETE
The redevelopment of Morwell Recreation Reserve into an exceptional multi-sport venue is complete, with the official opening of the new changerooms today. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the changerooms and amenities refurbishment completed the...
HIGHWAY DUPLICATION MUST START NOW: CHESTER
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is urging the state government to get work started on the final stages of the Traralgon-Sale, Princes Highway duplication as soon as possible. Mr Chester said Gippslanders were increasingly worried by the unexplained delays...
SALE STUDENT’S DREAM TO FLY HIGH
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester recently met with Catholic College student, Madeline Youl at RAAF Base East Sale to check out the RAAF Boeing Business Jet. After speaking with Madeline about her dream of joining the Australian Defence Force as a RAAF air...
COORDINATORS TO MANAGE RECOVERY OF NATIVE SPECIES
National Species Coordinators have been appointed to help manage the long-term recovery of the platypus and several targeted species impacted by the black summer bushfires including here in Gippsland. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the new roles...
LATROBE VALLEY COULD BENEFIT FROM HYDROGEN HUB
New investments in clean hydrogen and carbon capture technologies are set to create more jobs including in the Latrobe Valley. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed the announcement that Latrobe Valley is likely to benefit from a hydrogen hub. Mr...
NEW CLINICAL TRIALS FOR CANCER PATIENTS AT LRH
Gippslanders suffering from prostate, melanoma, and rare cancer will soon have access to clinical trials at Latrobe Regional Hospital. The TrialHub is a federally funded initiative to provide better access to clinical trials in regional areas like Gippsland. Federal...
$2.63 MILLION TO IMPROVE MOBILE COVERAGE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the announcement of $2.63 million for the installation of a fibre optic path between Tambo Crossing and Swifts Creek to improve mobile reception. Mr Chester said the installation of a 42-kilometre fibre path...
IMPROVED MOBILE PHONE RECEPTION FOR TOONGABBIE
The installation of a Telstra 4GX small cell will improve mobile phone reception at Toongabbie. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the installation of the small cell was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to improve connectivity through its...
IMPROVED MOBILE PHONE RECEPTION FOR GIPSY POINT
The installation of a Telstra base station will improve mobile phone reception at Gipsy Point. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the installation of the base station was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to improve connectivity through its...
IMPROVED MOBILE RECEPTION FOR CABBAGE TREE CREEK
The installation of a Telstra small cell will improve mobile phone reception at Cabbage Tree Creek. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the installation of the base station was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to improve connectivity through...
FUNDING TO SUPPORT LOCAL MANUFACTURING INNOVATION
Manufacturers in Gippsland can receive financial support to invest in new ideas and become more competitive in the marketplace. Local MP Darren Chester said the $30 million Manufacturing Commercialisation Fund could help businesses carry out projects that bring...
POWERING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM NOW OPEN
Funding is now available for community groups in Gippsland to improve energy efficiency and lower power bills. Local MP Darren Chester has called for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Federal Government’s Powering Communities Program. “Energy bills are often one...
FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING GRANTS OPEN
Gippsland food and beverage manufacturers can capitalise on Australian made products with funding now available for the sector under the Federal Government’s $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI). Food and Beverage is the fourth of six National...
BOOST FOR EAST GIPPSLAND JOBS
The Federal Government will provide $7 million supporting five East Gippsland community-based projects to boost the regional economy. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester have announced the first projects under the...
$1.3 MILLION UPGRADE FOR FOREST PARK IN ORBOST
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured $1.3 million for a much-needed upgrade of Forest Park. Mr Chester said the Forest Park upgrade would revitalise and modernise Orbost’s recreation area, visitor rest-stop and gateway to the East Gippsland Rail...