November 2012
Friday, 23 November 2012 15:30

Lakes Entrance advances its fishing industry to create year-round employment

Lakes Entrance Fisherman's Cooperative will receive $200,000 in State Government funds for a Fishing Industry Expansion initiative.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the funds are being provided as part of the Advancing Country Towns (ACT) project and will hopefully see and expansion of the Lakes Entrance fishing industry and local employment opportunities.

"Initially $20,000 of the overall $200,000 will be used to identify workforce development and business planning, the balance of $180,000 to be used for expansion of the cooperative's fish processing equipment. There is also co-funding being provided by the cooperative and East Gippsland Shire and overall in excess of $600,000 will be invested into this project.

"Lakes Entrance was one of nine regional and rural communities which are the focus of Victoria’s $9.4 million four-year Advancing Country Towns program – and has received $810,000 to create opportunities for growth, prosperity and employment with a focus on employment opportunities for locals from disadvantaged sections of the local community.  Other projects will follow.”

“This first initiative of the Lakes Entrance ACT project will make a real difference by creating new opportunities for year-round employment, while at the same time supporting the growth of a key local industry.”

“The Fishing Industry Expansion initiative is expected to create at least 25 to 30 new jobs, and it will bring new business opportunities to the town. The Lakes Entrance fishing industry generates more than $200 million a year for the Victorian economy and LEFCOL is a critical service provider for that industry.”

Mr Bull congratulated all funding partners including LEFCOL, East Gippsland Shire Council, Regional Development Victoria and the Lakes Entrance ACT steering committee for their careful planning.

"They really have done a great job pulling all of this together and presenting a project that has great scope to grow. To hear of the plans that will result in fish caught off our coast being processed locally and marketed under a local brand is something I am sure all consumers will welcome," he said.

LEFCOL CEO, Dale Sumner said, the LEFCOL Board of Management believes this project is critical to the long term sustainability of the fishing industry in Lakes Entrance and is very appreciative of the support provided by both State and Local Governments.

East Gippsland Shire mayor, Cr Dick Ellis, said the project was an exciting one for the town and he looked forward to growth in what was a critical local industry.

Mr Bull said the Fishing Industry Expansion initiative was a great example of local solutions to local challenges.

Published in Media
Monday, 12 November 2012 15:29

More road works for Great Alpine Road

More work to upgrade sections of the Great Alpine Road (GAR) will commence in the New Year.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said more than half a million would be spent on resealing between Swift’s Creek and Omeo and a further section at Lockup Creek north of Tambo Crossing.

“This is on top of $2.55m announced in August to tackle run-off-road crashes on the lower sections of the GAR and the $2m to repair significant landslips after the recent floods, which also resulted in major upgrades to areas including Namestone Point.

“Some of this new work is being funded under the additional $45m for road maintenance announced this week by Premier Baillieu,” said Mr Bull.

Mr Baillieu said the lack of maintenance under the previous Labor Government meant underlying issues with the condition of roads were not exposed during a decade of drought.

“The fact is, after a number of major flood events and two years of wetter than normal weather, there has been far greater road maintenance required than ever anticipated.

“So we’ve directed another $45 million in fixing the problems. This takes the Victorian Coalition Government’s Road Asset Management budget for 2012/13 to $432.9 million – more than Labor ever provided in a year.

“We will target roads where repair is needed the most and we’re getting on with the works now, because during winter months it is not ideal to carry out permanent pavement works.”

Mr Bull said this latest announcement continued the significant investment on East Gippsland roads by this government, including: •     $8m on the Omeo Highway, •     $4.3m to improve the Princes Highway between Bairnsdale and Stratford, •     $3.3m in safety works on the Princes Highway between Cann River and Orbost, •     $2.7m to upgrade the Princes Highway between Forge Creek Road and the Paynesville turnoff in Bairnsdale, •    $2.55m to improve the lower section of the Great Alpine Road.

Shadow Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport, Darren Chester, welcomed this further investment in local roads.

“There remains much to do from all levels of government, but the investment from this State Government in the region’s roads is to be commended and I will continue to advocate strongly at a Federal level for our share of roads resources.”

Published in Media
Friday, 09 November 2012 15:28

$300,000 for Stratford kinder upgrade

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has announced today that Stratford Kindergarten will receive a major $300,000 upgrade.

“The funds will be used to construct an activities room with toilets and assist the kinder in achieving the move to programs of 15 hours per week in the year before school as part of the Universal Access agreement,” Mr Bull said.

“The upgrade will also enable Maternal Child Health to be based at the kindergarten and follows on from a $300,000 upgrade to Glassford Kindergarden in Maffra announced earlier this year,” Mr Bull said.

The Victorian Coalition Government has again demonstrated its commitment to early childhood education, by allocating more than $40 million today.

The funds were available for upgrades to facilities or the development of integrated children’s services hubs, and is a combination of state and National Partnership funding.

“Our delivery of this funding will have a huge impact on children, not just now, but for many years to come and I am delighted we continue to attract high levels of government funds into this region,” Mr Bull said.

“We’re committed to educating Victoria’s youngest children and setting them up for a life of learning.

Minister for Early Childhood Development, Wendy Lovell, said the government’s strong record on early childhood funding was a sign of its priorities.

“I’m proud to say that we’ve delivered record spending in early childhood, including more than $80 million in grants to services in our first 18 months,” Ms Lovell said.

“We recognise that 95 per cent of a child’s brain development happens by the age of five, and a good quality early childhood education will set them up for life.

“By getting it right in the early years, we can deliver better students to our primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, and in the longer term, better applicants to the workforce.

“That can only be a positive outcome for children, families and our state,” Ms Lovell said.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor, Scott Rosetti, said Wellington Shire Council is thrilled to receive this grant as it ensures a secure future for Stratford Playgroup.

“With the necessary funds now secured, we will continue working in partnership with the Central Gippsland Health Service, Uniting Care Gippsland and the committee of the Stratford Kindergarten to maximise the benefits it brings to the Stratford community.

“The co-location of the playgroup and Kindergarten facilities creates a seamless progression for Stratford’s children as they grow and develop through the different services from birth to school age.

“It is important to recognise the value these facilities provide to the parents in our community as a place for socialising, supporting and sharing their experiences of raising young families,” Cr Rosetti said.

Published in Media
Thursday, 08 November 2012 15:16

$100,000 for Swan Reach kinder upgrade

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has announced today that Swan Reach Kindergarten will receive a major $100,432 upgrade.

“The funds will be used to increase licence capacity for the delivery of Universal Access of 15 hours of kindergarten in the year before school, while maintaining a three year old kindergarten program. The foyer will also be upgraded.

“Our delivery of this funding will have a huge impact on children, not just now, but for many years to come and I am delighted we continue to attract high levels of government funds into this region in what are tough fiscal times,” Mr Bull said.

The Victorian Coalition Government has again demonstrated its commitment to early childhood education, by allocating more than $40 million today.

The funds were available for upgrades to facilities or the development of integrated children’s services hubs, and is a combination of state and National Partnership funding.

Minister for Early Childhood Development, Wendy Lovell, said the government’s strong record on early childhood funding was a sign of its priorities.

“I’m proud to say that we’ve delivered record spending in early childhood, including more than $80 million in grants to services in our first 18 months,” Ms Lovell said.

“We recognise that 95 per cent of a child’s brain development happens by the age of five, and a good quality early childhood education will set them up for life.

“By getting it right in the early years, we can deliver better students to our primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, and in the longer term, better applicants to the workforce.

“That can only be a positive outcome for children, families and our state,” Ms Lovell said.

 
 
Published in Media