Latest News
Search my Latest News
GET NEW POSTS TO YOUR INBOX
Just put your email in and confirm the email sent to your inbox. You will be emailed when new posts are added to Darren’s website.
CHESTER AGAIN ASKS PREMIER TO COMMIT PRINCES HIGHWAY FUNDING
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has again written to Victoria’s Premier to urge him to commit funding to complete the Princes Highway duplication between Traralgon and Sale. Mr Chester wrote to Mr Andrews in January to ask the State Government to allocate...
read more
METUNG’S NEW BOARDWALK AN INSPIRATION FOR OTHER TOWNS
Gippsland MP Darren Chester says the new Metung boardwalk extension is a great example for other towns in the region to follow. Mr Chester inspected the completed $1.12 million project this week, which was managed by East Gippsland Shire using local contractors with...
read more
MINISTER MEETS ORBOST FARMERS
The need to reduce expenses like municipal rates and the cost of feed were among the key issues for drought-affected local farmers who met with local MP Darren Chester and Federal Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud at a community meeting in Orbost on Wednesday...
read more
Bolstering the Rural Financial Counselling Service
• Coalition invests a further $3.7 million in the Rural Financial Counselling Service • Boost to services facing increased demand from drought and flood affected farmers • The RFCS to extend contracts and hire additional staff to meet demand There will be more helping...
read more
NEW PHONE TOWERS FOR EAST GIPPSLAND
New mobile phone towers will be built at Cape Conran and Manorina (near Bellbird Creek) under round four of the Federal Government’s $220 million Mobile Black Spot Program. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced Licola would also have improved mobile...
read more
DROUGHT OUTREACH INFORMATION SESSIONS
Drought affected farmers will be able to access detailed information and immediate assistance at a series of information sessions being held across Wellington and East Gippsland shires next week. The sessions will commence in Heyfield and Rosedale on March 26 and...
read more
AGRICULTURE MINISTER BACK IN GIPPSLAND TO MEET FARMERS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester will this week host Agriculture Minister David Littleproud on a visit to drought-affected parts of East Gippsland. The Minister with meet with individual farmers and spend time on the ground hearing first-hand about the...
read more
FUN RUN RAISES MONEY FOR CENTENARY HOUSE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has delivered on his promise of donating $2 for each person who finished ahead of him in yesterday’s DFP Recruitment Latrobe City Community Fun Run and Walk. Mr Chester, pictured with Phil Mayer from Traralgon Harriers,...
read more
CHESTER WORKS TO SECURE FUNDS FOR BAIRNSDALE PLAYGROUP
The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is working to secure the future for a playgroup in Bairnsdale for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mr Chester recently met children, parents, play facilitator and assistants at the PlayConnect playgroup during one...
read more
CHESTER LOBBIES TO HELP MITCHELL RIVER IRRIGATORS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has thrown his support behind Mitchell River irrigators to help them withstand the impact of drought. Mr Chester has written to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack to...
read more
BLOOD CHALLENGE SAVES LIVES
RAAF Base East Sale has won the ‘Battle of the Bases’ blood challenge, an annual blood donation competition between RAAF Bases East Sale and Wagga. The competition is conducted over a 12 month period and includes all blood donations made by Air Force personnel posted...
read more
$100,000 FOR SECURITY CAMERAS AT YALLAMBEE AGED CARE
Traralgon’s Yallambee Aged Care has received Federal Government funding to upgrade security systems. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced $99,500 for Yallambee to install a CCTV security surveillance system both inside the premises and around the exterior. Mr...
read more
NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR CANN RIVER COMMUNITY CENTRE
Cann River Community Centre is providing video conferencing services for the local community after receiving a grant from the Federal Government’s #lovegippsland Stronger Communities Program to purchase audio visual equipment. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said...
read moreFUNDING FOR SMALL SCALE SOLAR PROJECTS
Community groups across Gippsland can apply for Federal Government funding for small scale solar and battery projects. Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the Solar Communities Grants are currently open and must be lodged by March 28, 2019. Federal Member for Gippsland...
read more
COMMUNITY UNITES AT PORT ALBERT ON EASTER SUNDAY
A fireworks display, lantern parade and arts workshops for children will entertain locals and visitors alike in Port Albert on Easter Sunday. The activities have been made possible after the Tarra Festival Committee received a $9310 grant from the Foundation for Rural...
read more
DISAPPOINTMENT AS VIC GOVT REFUSES TO BACK PRINCES HIGHWAY DUPLICATION
The Victorian Roads Minister’s failure to announce funding today to complete the duplication of the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale will disappoint Gippslanders, says Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester said today’s visit was an ideal...
read more
EAGLE POINT PRIMARY SCHOOL
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester delivered new flags to Eagle Point Primary School and gave grade six students an overview of Australia’s political system ahead of their school camp to Canberra. Mr Chester is pictured with school captain Hannah Svetey and...
read more
ST MARY’S BAIRNSDALE
Students from St Mary’s Primary School Bairnsdale received an advance lesson from their local MP ahead of a school trip to Canberra this week. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester spoke to the grade six class about Australia’s political system and how Federal...
read more
COMMUNITIES ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM
Gippsland will receive $150,000 for community groups to undertake projects that conserve and protect the local environment. The Federal Government has announced funding to deliver practical environmental projects, giving communities new opportunities to protect and...
read more
FARMERS URGED TO APPLY FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE REBATE
Farmers in drought-declared areas of Gippsland can now apply for a rebate of 25 percent, or up to $25,000, for money they’ve spent on urgent water infrastructure on their properties this financial year. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has encouraged...
read more
NEW $1.5 MILLION VIEWING PLATFORM FOR LAKES ENTRANCE
A $1.5 million viewing platform will be built in Lakes Entrance, following an announcement today by Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester announced $750,000 in funding as part of more than $4 million in Federal Government support for local projects...
read more
$3 MILLION TO UPGRADE AGED CARE IN TRARALGON AND SALE
Yallambee in Traralgon and Ashleigh House in Sale will receive $3 million in Federal Government funding to improve accommodation options for aged care residents. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced $1.88 million for Yallambee Traralgon Village...
read moreCHESTER SUPPORTS CAMPAIGN FOR HEADSPACE IN SALE
A new report highlighting the stress of drought on young people further strengthens the case for headspace to be established in the Wellington Shire, according to Federal MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester has made formal representations to the Minister for Health seeking...
read more
IMPROVING PUBLIC FACILITIES TO FURTHER BOOST TOURISM
Federal MP Darren Chester says he’s keen to work with East Gippsland Shire Council and the community to develop more projects to improve facilities on public land, following the completion of the Metung boardwalk. The $1.12 million project to extend the boardwalk was...
read more
NEW FIRE FIGHTING POWER FOR MALLACOOTA
Mallacoota Fire Brigade’s hardworking volunteers are now better equipped with a new community-owned fire tanker. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester had a look over the new tanker on a recent visit to Mallacoota. The new tanker will primarily be based at the...
read more$200 MILLION FOR CANCER MEDICATIONS WILL HELP GIPPSLANDERS
The Federal Government is investing more than $200 million to list four new breakthrough cancer treatments on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), saving patients up to a quarter of a million dollars a year. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said almost...
read more
$2.32 MILLION FOR MIRRIDONG EXPANSION IN YARRAM
Mirridong Services will receive $2.32 million from the Federal Government to help people with a disability in the Yarram district to live more comfortably within their community. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester was in Yarram this morning to make the...
read more
ROULETTES FAREWELL THE PC-9/A IN FINAL DISPLAY AT AVALON
The RAAF Roulettes will perform their last thrilling aerobatic display using PC-9/A aircraft this weekend at the Australian International Air Show 2019 at Avalon. Minister for Defence Personnel and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said it would be a...
read more
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE REBATE FOR DRYLAND FARMERS
Farmers from drought-declared areas of Gippsland will soon be able to apply for a rebate of up to 25% for on-farm water infrastructure spending. During his weekend visit to Gippsland, Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister David Littleproud said an agreement...
read more
$250,000 FOR BRIAGOLONG RECREATION RESERVE PAVILION
The Federal Government will contribute $250,000 to the redevelopment of the pavilion at Briagolong Recreation Reserve. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester made the funding announcement today at the recreation reserve. Mr...
read more
$31 MILLION FOR MACALISTER IRRIGATION DISTRICT
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today welcomed $31 million in Federal Government funding for phase two of the Macalister Irrigation District modernisation project. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the funding at Briagolong during a visit to...
read more
GIPPSLAND’S DROUGHT IS WORSENING, CHESTER TELLS PARLIAMENT
The drought in Gippsland has worsened considerably over the past two weeks, according to the Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester told Federal Parliament that strong winds had carried away precious top soil in areas including Giffard and McGaurans...
read more
FUNDING DECISION EXPECTED SOON ON JEMMY’S POINT
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester expects the Australian Government will soon make a decision on whether to fund the construction of a new viewing platform at Jemmy’s Point near Lakes Entrance. Mr Chester has been lobbying his government colleagues to secure...
read more
CHESTER’S FUNDING HOPES FOR MIRRIDONG’S EXPANSION
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is working to secure extra Australian Government funding to help people with a disability in Yarram to stay in the area. Mr Chester has been lobbying his colleagues in Canberra to get support for Mirridong Services, which is...
read moreREGIONAL FORESTRY HUB TO GROW INDUSTRY AND CREATE JOBS
A Regional Forestry Hub will be created in Gippsland to grow the industry and create more local jobs. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said Gippsland had been as named as one of nine priority regions across Australia to receive support from the Federal...
read more
UPGRADING CHANGEROOMS AT BAIRNSDALE OVAL
Changerooms at Bairnsdale City Oval will be upgraded following a funding announcement by Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester said Bairnsdale Football Netball Club would receive $6,000 from the #lovegippsland Stronger Communities Program to upgrade...
read more
MORE TO BE DONE TO IMPROVE HYLAND HIGHWAY SAFETY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says more needs to be done to improve safety on the Hyland Highway linking Yarram and the Latrobe Valley. Mr Chester inspected the $10 million of upgrades recently undertaken by the Federal and State Governments, but is...
read more
GIPPSLAND ROTARY CENTENARY HOUSE EXTENSION TAKING SHAPE
Construction of 13 new independent living units at Gippsland Rotary Centenary House are starting to shape with framing complete and brickwork well underway. The stage three expansion will double capacity for patients and their families seeking accommodation whilst...
read more
KITCHEN UPGRADE AT LAKES RECREATION RESERVE
Kitchen facilities at Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve will be upgraded following the announcement of funding from the #lovegippsland Stronger Communities Program. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced $13,250 for an upgrade of kitchen facilities and...
read more
$50 MILLION PRINCES HIGHWAY WORKS NEAR HALFWAY MARK
Key road safety improvements along the Princes Highway east of Bairnsdale have been completed, but there’s still more work to be done, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester recently travelled the length of the highway to check progress...
read moreGIPPSLAND LIVES REMEMBERED IN PARLIAMENT
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester asked the Federal Parliament to remember the 11 people in Gippsland who lost their lives during the Black Saturday bushfires when he made a speech to the House of Representatives this week. Mr Chester spoke about the Black...
read more
BOOST FOR COMBINED SAINTS JUNIOR FOOTBALLERS
Traralgon’s Combined Saints Junior Football Club will receive a much needed upgrade to its canteen thanks to a #lovegippsland Stronger Communities Program grant. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced $5,000 from the Federal Government to upgrade club...
read more
STRATFORD TEENAGER WINNER OF ABC HEYWIRE
Stratford teenager Ivan Reyes has been announced a winner of the National ABC Heywire storytelling competition. The Heywire story competition provides a platform for young people in regional areas to share their views and experiences. Federal Member for Gippsland...
read more
NOWA NOWA CONGRATULATED FOR HONOURING WARTIME LEGACY
Community volunteers behind a project to rejuvenate a memorial to the only soldier from Nowa Nowa to die during World War Two have been congratulated for their vision and hard work. The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who is also the Minister for...
read more
$61 MILLION BOOST TO TREAT DRUG ADDICTION
The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says extra funding for drug addiction treatment services could save local lives. Mr Chester, who secured $3 million for a residential drug rehabilitation centre under construction near Bairnsdale, said most people knew...
read more
1.8 MILLION REASONS TO GET ACTIVE WITH PARKRUN AUSTRALIA
Hundreds of people across Gippsland pull on their running shoes each Saturday morning to get active, have fun and run or walk five kilometres against the clock at a parkrun Australia event. Among the starters, you’ll often find the Federal Member for Gippsland Darren...
read more
$40,000 FOR TRARALGON RSL TO BUY A NEW COMMUNITY BUS
Social isolation experienced by veterans after they leave the defence forces is a serious issue facing many Returned and Services League sub-branches around Australia. In Traralgon, the RSL is tackling the issue by bringing local veterans and their families together...
read more
TAKE A SEAT
The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester stopped off in Morwell recently to test new seating installed along Commercial Road. The new seating arrangements, called parklets, are part of $3.45 million of streetscape works designed to revitalise the town’s heart....
read more
REHABILITATION CENTRE BRINGS HOPE TO GIPPSLAND
New rehabilitation services to break the cycle of addiction will soon be available in Gippsland, with the official sod turning today of the Hope Restart Centre, near Bairnsdale. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has been a strong local advocate for the...
read more
LATROBE CITY MAYOR MEETS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Latrobe City Council Mayor Graeme Middlemiss and Deputy Mayor Darren Howe this week had an opportunity to brief Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on the city’s infrastructure priorities. Mr McCormack, who is also the Federal Minister for Infrastructure,...
read more