Wellington Shire Mayor Alan Hall and Council Chief Executive Officer David Morcom this week had an opportunity to brief Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on the shire’s infrastructure priorities and response to the drought.
Mr McCormack, who is also the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, was invited to Gippsland by local MP Darren Chester.
Mr Chester said he was pleased he was able to give Wellington Shire the opportunity to speak directly to Mr McCormack.
“This was a great opportunity for the Deputy Prime Minister to hear from council about its infrastructure priorities, such as completing the Princes Highway duplication between Traralgon and Sale, and phase two of the Macalister Irrigation District modernisation project,” Mr Chester said.
“Importantly, it was also a chance to hear about the work Wellington and East Gippsland are doing to assist our farmers during this drought and work out what more can be done to help them.
“Michael also got a chance to see the fantastic new $14 million Port of Sale building, which was funded with $4.5 million from the Federal Government.”
The Federal Government is investing more than $1 billion in infrastructure funding to Gippsland, including $418 million for the Gippsland Line rail upgrade, $86 million to replace the Avon River rail bridge, a total of $342 million for the Princes Highway duplication project. An additional $392 million is being spent on the redevelopment of RAAF Base East Sale.
