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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...
JOBS FAIR RETURNS TO LATROBE VALLEY
Job seekers from across the Gippsland Employment Region will have the chance to chat to employers face to face when the Morrison Government’s Latrobe Valley Jobs Fair returns to Morwell on Thursday 10 March. Bringing together job seekers, employers, employment...
RECYCLING UPGRADE FOR LOCAL BUSINESS
A Gippsland business will upgrade its facilities to improve recycling capabilities thanks to Federal Government funding. Tambo Waste Pty Ltd received funding through the Recycling Modernisation Fund to improve capacity of the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in...
CHESTER VISITS KURNAI COLLEGE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has presented the school leaders at Kurnai College’s Morwell Campus with their Achievement Certificates. The students spoke with Mr Chester about current issues in Gippsland and what the future will look like for them in our...
NEW GREEN FOR MALLACOOTA BOWLS CLUB
Mallacoota Bowls Club volunteers are celebrating an $85,000 win with a Federal Government grant to help replace synthetic greens damaged in the Black Summer bushfires. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester met with the volunteers prior to Christmas and supported...
PLANTING TREES FOR THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE
Local organisations and community groups can now apply to be a part of the Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee program. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester invited interested groups to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) to his office for potential...
PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE READY FOR AUDIENCES
Federal member for Gippsland Darren Chester (left) and Latrobe City Mayor Kellie O’Callaghan (right) in front of the spectacular Gippsland hardwood timber structures that feature in the entry foyer of the new performing arts centre in Traralgon. After a two year...
UPGRADE FOR LOCAL TENNIS CLUB
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured) has congratulated Orbost Tennis Club volunteers for securing $324,000 to redevelop the complex into a community hub. “The facility needs a facelift and the club is one of the successful recipients of Federal...
‘INELIGIBLE’ BUSHFIRE PROJECTS FARCICAL: CHESTER
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has urged the Government to intervene immediately and fix a “farcical situation” which has seen community-led bushfire recovery projects excluded from consideration for recovery grants. Mr Chester said he was aware of at...
BUSY TRARALGON INTERSECTION MADE SAFER
A busy Traralgon intersection has been redeveloped to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists. Local MP Darren Chester said the intersection of Tyers Road, Scrubby Lane and Cross’s Road now included turning lanes and visible road markings for drivers. “Ensuring...
$1 MILLION FOR SNOWY RIVER TRESTLE BRIDGE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured extra funding for the restoration of the historic Snowy River railway trestle bridge as part of a bushfire recovery program. Mr Chester has welcomed the announcement of $1.05 million from the Black Summer...
FUNDING BOOST FOR LOCAL CINEMA
A Gippsland independent cinema has received a financial boost thanks to Federal Government SCREEN Fund. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said Sale Cinema had received $35,000 as one-off financial relief due to the impacts of COVID-19 on cinema operators. “Cinemas...
$30 MILLION BOOST FOR GIPPSLAND
Bushfire impacted communities across Gippsland will receive a $30 million boost from the Federal Government to support recovery and resilience activities. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has been outspoken for increased funding under the Black Summer...
CHESTER SUPPORTS COMMUNITY HUB PLAN
Gippsland MP Darren Chester is supporting Latrobe City Council’s proposal to establish a community hub and purpose built facility for local groups at Glenview Park in Traralgon. Mr Chester said establishing a new hub for community groups which had facilities destroyed...
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR REGIONAL STUDENTS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging local students needing financial assistance to apply for round six of the Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships (RRES) program. Mr Chester said the scholarships would help students from regional and rural...
CHESTER: PEDESTRIAN FOOTPATH IS UNACCEPTABLE
Local MP Darren Chester is calling on the State Government to fix pedestrian access alongside the Princes Highway in Lakes Entrance. Mr Chester said the narrow path from Kalimna to Lakes Entrance had received patch up jobs but was now in terrible condition. “The...
CHESTER VISITS ALBERTON TIMBER MILL
Local MP Darren Chester recently visited Alberton Timber and Treatment Plant to inspect the new peeling plant and hear about the operation’s expansion. Mr Chester said the plant had just undergone a $1 million upgrade with the Federal Government providing $550,000 for...
GIPPSLANDERS URGED TO DONATE BLOOD
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging Gippslanders to roll up their sleeves and donate blood or plasma. Mr Chester said that 1.6 million Australians had given blood in the last year, but more donors were needed. “Throughout my life I have been...
ONGOING SUPPORT NEEDED FOR SURF LIFE SAVERS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Life Saving Victoria CEO Catherine Greaves (pictured) discussed the need for ongoing funding for local surf lifesavers during a meeting in Lakes Entrance. Ms Greaves was in the region to meet with lifesaving club members...
IMPORTANT TOWN LINK BUILD UNDERWAY
The pedestrian bridge over the Genoa River is starting to take shape. Local MP Darren Chester (pictured) recently inspected the progress after a few delays due to the wet winter and rising flood waters. “This bridge which was destroyed during the Black Summer...
NEW FENCES FOR MAFFRA LAWN TENNIS CLUB
Unsafe fences have been replaced as part of a major redevelopment of Maffra Lawn Tennis Club. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured) secured a $130,000 grant to renew the fences in partnership with Wellington Shire Council. The historic club is...