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JUST GET THE JOB DONE: CHESTER
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says his government should fund the entire cost of the highest priority stage of the Princes Highway duplication project between Traralgon and Sale. In a bid to break the political impasse between the State and Federal...
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GROWING IMPATIENCE LEADS TO REQUEST TO GET RAIL WORKS UNDERWAY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is seeking an urgent update regarding timelines to upgrade Gippsland train services. Mr Chester secured $504 million in federal government funding when he was Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, toward a $530 million...
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CONTRACTOR APPOINTED FOR KEEGAN STREET RESERVE
Upgrades to Morwell’s Keegan Street Reserve are due to start by the end of the month. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced $500,000 toward the Keegan Street Reserve last year as part of the Federal Government’s $5 million commitment to upgrade the...
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BOARDWALKS INSTALLED ALONG SHARED PATHWAY
The installation of boardwalks along Old Melbourne Road between Traralgon and Morwell is underway, as the Morwell-Traralgon shared pathway continues to take shape. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced $1.6 million in Federal Government funding...
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MALLACOOTA’S NEW MEDICAL CENTRE OPENS ITS DOORS
Mallacoota’s new $721,000 medical centre has opened its doors to patients for the first time this week. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester visited the new medical centre in Maurice Street as work neared completion. “I’m proud to have worked with the community...
read moreDIABETES, LUNG CANCER, ACNE AND DEPRESSION MEDICINES LISTED ON THE PBS
Four new medicines will be subsidised by the Federal Government to help patients living with debilitating and life threatening conditions. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said treatments for diabetes, severe cystic acne, depression and lung cancer will be...
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EoI OPENS FOR CATHOLIC COLLEGE JOHN 23RD REBUILD
Relocation of Catholic College Sale years seven and eight students from Sion to St Patricks campus has taken a major step forward with Expressions of Interest (EoI) open to builders. Commercial builders have been invited to lodge an Expression of Interest for the...
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MORWELL CBD REVITALISATION MOVES AHEAD
Works are underway this week to build an additional nine parklets with gardens and public seating along Commercial Road in Morwell, taking the total to 12 parklets in the Central Business District. The parklets are a feature of the Morwell CBD revitalisation project...
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VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY TO OPEN IN BAIRNSDALE: EAST GIPPSLAND STUDY HUB
A University Study Hub will open in Bairnsdale next semester to support local students to undergo university studies without having to relocate to Melbourne. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $595,000 from the Federal Government to establish an East...
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ACTING PRIME MINISTER VISITS YARRAM’S MIRRIDONG
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has taken acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack to Yarram to meet residents, families and staff at Mirridong Services. Mirridong Services will receive $2.32 million from the Federal Government to provide more supported...
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CHESTER TAKES TRANSPORT MINISTER ALONG THE HYLAND HWY
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has taken the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development for a drive along the Hyland Highway as he works to secure more money to upgrade the road. Mr Chester drove Minister Michael McCormack, who was...
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PLANNING FOR $60 MILLION PRINCES HIGHWAY SPEND
Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester have challenged local leaders to identify spending priorities along the Princes Highway corridor. East...
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BAIRNSDALE NETBALL UPGRADE NEEDED
An additional two courts are planned for Bairnsdale’s World Netball Centre to provide more timeslots and more opportunities for local netballers. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the additional two courts would also help to grow the annual Bairnsdale...
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IMPROVING HIGHWAY SAFETY AT JOHNSONVILLE
Major changes to the Johnsonville streetscape will improve the visitor experience and boost safety for locals in the town, according to Gippsland MP Darren Chester. The work is being undertaken by Bairnsdale’s Cranes Asphalting near the town’s famous Black Stump...
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WATER CART FOR EASTWOOD LANDCARE
Eastwood Landcare Group has received Federal Government funding to purchase a locally-built water cart. Federal Member for Gippland Darren Chester said the Eastwood Landcare Group was formed six years ago and had already planted around 30,000 tube stock around...
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LANDCARE AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN
Landcare Australia is inviting nominations for the 2019 State and Territory Landcare Awards to recognise individuals and groups for their outstanding contribution to preserving the Australian landscape. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging locals...
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$2.3 MILLION CENTENARY HOUSE EXPANSION OPENS
More patients, including those fighting cancer, will be able to access much-needed affordable accommodation with the opening of 13 new independent living units at Rotary Centenary House, Traralgon. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, a long-time supporter and...
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EAST GIPPSLAND GYMNASTICS GROWTH PLANS
East Gippsland Gymnastics Club has outgrown its current home and is working on plans to build a purpose-built centre in Lucknow. Head coach Marie Miles shared the new plans with local MP Darren Chester, who has offered his support to the project. Mr Chester said he...
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$9 MILLION ROSEDALE FACTORY DUE TO OPEN NEXT MONTH
A multi-million redevelopment of the old Rosedale tannery will open next month as the new home of Bambach Wires and Cables. The Federal Government has co-funded the transformation of the old tannery into a cable manufacturing facility. Federal Member for Gippsland...
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VOLUNTEER FUNDING FOR ROSEDALE REC RESERVE
Volunteers at the Rosedale Recreation Reserve have received a Federal Government grant for storage facilities and furniture. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced the Rosedale Recreation Reserve Committee had secured a grant of $4600 to purchase...
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LATROBE CITY MEETS AUSTRALIA’S NEW AGRICULTURE MINISTER
Representatives from Latrobe City Council met with Australia’s new Agriculture Minister at a special meeting held in Sale this week. Latrobe Chief Executive Officer Steven Piasente was among those at the roundtable meeting led by Senator Bridget McKenzie and Federal...
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WELLINGTON MEETS AUSTRALIA’S NEW AGRICULTURE MINISTER
Representatives from Wellington Shire Council met with Australia’s new Agriculture Minister at a special meeting held in Sale this week. Wellington Shire Council Mayor Cr Alan Hall and Chief Executive Officer David Morcom attended the roundtable meeting, hosted by the...
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NEW AG MINISTER TOURS MACALISTER IRRIGATION DISTRICT
Australia’s new Federal Agriculture Minister is visiting Gippsland today on the first day of her four-week listening tour across the nation. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is hosting Senator Bridget McKenzie as she travels through the electorate to meet...
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HEYFIELD TIMBER MILL A FIRST STOP FOR NEW MINISTER
Newly-appointed Agriculture Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie has met with management at Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) in Heyfield, less than a week since being sworn into the position. Local MP Darren Chester arranged the visit by Senator McKenzie to meet...
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NEW AGRICULTURE MINISTER VISITS GIPPSLAND
Australia’s new Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie will visit Gippsland today just five days after being sworn into her new role. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is hosting Senator McKenzie in his electorate to learn more about the region’s agricultural...
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LAKES ENTRANCE FIRST STOP FOR NEW AGRICULTURE MINISTER
Newly-appointed Agriculture Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie discussed the importance of a sustainable and a profitable fishing industry during her first meeting with Lakes Entrance Fishing Co-operative representatives on Monday. Lakes Entrance-based MP Darren...
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WILLOW PARK UPGRADE NEARLY COMPLETE
The finishing touches are now being made to Willow Park at Rosedale as its facelift nears completion. The upgrade was part of the $1.5 million Rosedale Revitalisation project, funded with $1 million from the Federal Government and $500,000 from Wellington Shire....
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HAVE YOUR SAY ON GIPPSLAND’S HISTORICAL RAIL INVESTMENT
Train travellers, residents and other interested community members have less than three weeks left to have their say about the works they think should be done as part of the $530 million Gippsland Rail Corridor Upgrade. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who...
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DARREN CHESTER DECLARED WINNER OF GIPPSLAND POLL
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has today officially declared Darren Chester the elected Federal Government representative for the seat of Gippsland. The announcement was made this morning by the AEC divisional manager for Gippsland David Wakely in Sale. Mr...
read moreTENDERS CLOSE SOON FOR NEW TIMBARRA RIVER BRIDGE
Tenders close next week for the construction of a new bridge across the Timbarra River, north-west of Buchan. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester last month announced more than $678,000 in Federal Government funding towards the cost of the new bridge. “I was...
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UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS ACROSS GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showing an employment boom in Gippsland and the lowest rate for the jobless rate for the Latrobe Valley since 2015. Mr Chester said the Federal...
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EAST SALE’S KING AIR FLEET GROWS BY 50%
Thirty-two Squadron at RAAF Base East Sale has been expanded, creating further employment opportunities in the local community. The number of Beechcraft King Air aeroplanes at Sale has increased from 8 to 12 which will see increased maintenance requirements and more...
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DARREN CHESTER RE-APPOINTED AS MINISTER FOR VETERANS AND DEFENCE PERSONNEL
Re-appointed Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester says a mental health summit, transitioning Australian Defence Force (ADF) members to civilian employment and continuing the transformation of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will be his...
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LOCH SPORT FITNESS CIRCUIT SOON TO BE BUILT
Outdoor fitness equipment will be erected in Loch Sport to encourage more people to exercise along the foreshore, following the re-election of Darren Chester as the Federal Member for Gippsland. Mr Chester said the Federal Government would fund a series of fitness...
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IMPROVING HIGHWAY SAFETY AT JOHNSONVILLE
Work is progressing on highway upgrades at Johnsonville in front of the famous Black Stump General Store. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the work was part of a $50 million package of safety upgrades along the Princes Highway. “The work in...
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CHESTER URGES ANDREWS TO BACK MAJOR GIPPSLAND PROJECTS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has written to the Victorian Premier for a third time to urge the State Government to allocate its share of the funding needed to complete the duplication of the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale. On the eve of the...
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COOL GROUP’S $ $4.2 MILLION EXPANSION IN MORWELL
Purpose-built facilities for manufacturing and retail will be built in Saskia Way, Morwell, to help grow local businesses Cool Aqua Springs and Hip Pocket Workwear and Safety. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who secured $1.75 million from the Federal...
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EAST GIPPSLAND RAIL TRAIL UPGRADE
Work will start as soon as possible on a $100,000 upgrade of the East Gippsland Rail Trail, following the re-election of Gippsland MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester said the project would re-seal 12 kilometres of the trail from Bairnsdale to Nicholson. “More than $3...
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$60 MILLION FOR PRINCES HIGHWAY
Re-elected Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he will be focused on delivering drought relief for local farmers and has announced a further $60 million to improve the Princes Highway in East Gippsland. Mr Chester has confirmed the $57.4 million package...
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IMPROVING LAKES ENTRANCE
Lakes Entrance based MP Darren Chester says he will be focused on delivering several local projects that will boost the visitor economy and improve the liveability of his home town. Mr Chester was re-elected on Saturday with an overwhelming vote in Lakes Entrance and...
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CHESTER BACK WORKING FOR FUTURE DROUGHT RELIEF
Gippsland MP Darren Chester says he will be focused on delivering further drought relief for local farmers and important local community projects in Yarram, following his weekend win at the Federal election. Mr Chester was re-elected as the Federal Member for...
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COALITION VICTORY DELIVERS $880,000 FOR SALE FNC
Re-elected Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he will be focused on delivering local projects that will boost the visitor economy and improve the liveability of local towns in this term of government. Mr Chester said the Coalition’s victory meant he...
read moreSTATEMENT FROM DARREN CHESTER
To be elected to represent Gippsland in Federal Parliament for the fifth time is an enormous honour and privilege. I have never taken Gippslanders for granted and I am extremely grateful for the support of my family, friends, staff and community members who made this...
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$60 MILLION FOR HIGHWAY STREETSCAPE AND VISITOR FACILITIES
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced a further $60 million to improve road safety and upgrade visitor facilities along the Princes Highway if the Coalition Government is re-elected on Saturday. Mr Chester said the funding would be used to upgrade...
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$500,000 FOR LUCKNOW CHANGEROOMS AND NETBALL COURT
Funding has been secured to redevelop the aged and unsuitable Lucknow Recreation Reserve changerooms and netball court. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester made the $500,000 announcement this morning to fund stage one of the Lucknow Recreation Reserve upgrade,...
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PUTTING LOCALS FIRST
The Federal election is being held this Saturday, May 18, and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said he was taking nothing for granted. “The support I’ve been receiving from local residents on the campaign trail is very humbling,” Mr Chester said. “I think...
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PROTECTING JARRAHMOND’S PRECIOUS AVENUE OF HONOUR
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has allocated $4000 to Jarrahmond Landcare Group to further protect its historic Avenue of Honour. In his role as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Mr Chester granted the funding to the Landcare group to help protect the...
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$880,000 PROMISED TO SALE FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB
Sale Football Netball Club will receive an $880,000 funding boost if the Coalition wins the Federal election this Saturday, according to local MP Darren Chester. The Federal Member for Gippsland has secured the $880,000 to upgrade change room facilities with a focus...
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BAIRNSDALE GLAC CLINIC WORKS ON TRACK
A multi-million dollar expansion at the Bairnsdale Medical Centre operated by Gippsland Lakes Community Health (GLCH) is starting to take shape and on track to open later this year. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $500,000 from the Federal...
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PREMIER IS IGNORING ROAD SAFETY IN GIPPSLAND, SAYS CHESTER
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says Premier Daniel Andrews is wasting money on Princes Highway works which no-one wants but refusing to invest in the safety of Gippslanders who travel the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale. Mr Chester has written...
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