Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, today announced $50,000 to upgrade the Swifts Creek netball courts under a re-elected Napthine Coalition government.

The Swifts Creek Football Netball Club netball courts will receive a major upgrade under a re-elected Napthine Coalition Government, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced today.

Mr Bull said the Swifts Creek netball courts would receive $50,000 in State funds towards the $64,000 project, with the Swifts Creek Recreation Reserve Committee of Management contributing $9,000 and the East Gippsland Shire Council contributing $5,000.

“The Recreation Reserve Committee of Management and the East Gippsland Shire Council have both identified the current playing surface is in need of significant repair and a re-elected Coalition will deliver this important project for the local community,” he said.

Mr Bull said the project will include major drainage works carried out to reduce the impact of water on the courts, patching and resurfacing works and linemarking.

“The existing surface is currently problematic for the netballers, especially in wet weather so this upgrade will be a big benefit for players and reduce the likelihood of injury,” he said.

Mr Bull said the Swifts Creek Football Netball Club is one of many sport and recreation clubs across Victoria which can look forward to new and improved facilities by using their own funds and resources to partner with the a re-elected Coalition State Government.

"Local clubs are the backbone of townships like Swift's Creek and the more kids we can get into local sport the better, so it is important we invest in facilities.

"A Napthine Coalition Government is committed to a more active Victoria and its projects like this that allow all Victorians to get involved with their local sporting clubs.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, met up with Megan Kool and her sons, Joshua and Liam, and Jess Bryan with her daughters Emily and Claire to hear about plans to build a new BBQ and toilet block at the Wy Yung Apex children’s playground thanks to $35,000 in State funds.

Wy Yung’s Apex children’s playground will receive $35,000 as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s program to improve local community sites and assets.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the park is very popular with local families who had identified a lack of facilities at this site.

“One of the major concerns for parents has been the lack of toilet facilities, especially as the park attracts families with young children who have no other option but to return home when their children need to use a toilet.

“The local Apex club has done a fantastic job attracting funds to help build new facilities including a BBQ area and toilets, which I’m sure will be welcomed by the many users of the park,” he said.

Mr Bull said another successful applicant in this round of funding is Maffra Secondary College which will receive $6,860.25 towards its Trailblazers project to renew a local trail in the Maffra area.

Mr Bull said the Napthine Government is supporting local community groups in Gippsland East to improve sites and assets that will increase the community's enjoyment and awareness of its local environment.

“More than $41,860.25 from the Napthine Government’s Local Landscape Enhancement grants program will enable our local community groups to further protect and support our environment,” Mr Bull said.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the announcements for East Gippsland were part of the Napthine Government’s $1.5 million Local Landscape Enhancement program.

“The Local Landscape Enhancement program is another example of our commitment to strong partnerships between government, community and environmental groups to deliver the best local environmental outcomes,” Mr Smith said.

“By building stronger partnerships, the Coalition Government is protecting and enhancing Victoria’s environment and building stronger communities.”        

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, met with the Tinamba community today to confirm $100,000 in State funds will go towards the construction of the Tinamba Community Meeting Rooms project at the old CFA building in Tinamba.

The Victorian Coalition Government is investing $100,000 from the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund to establish a community meeting space in the Gippsland town of Tinamba.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the Tinamba Community Meeting Rooms project would allow the community to achieve its long-term goal of developing a communal meeting room that would replace the ageing Tinamba Hall.

“The Tinamba community currently relies on the Tinamba Public Hall for local events and gatherings.

“The original hall is over 110 years old and needs costly renovations, so the Country Fire Authority building was identified as an alternative location by the community for a meeting place.

“This project will decommission the Tinamba Public Hall and construct a multi-purpose facility on the CFA site.

“An additional wing will function as a meeting space and be constructed above flood level as a safeguard against future extreme weather events.

“The new and improved facility will provide the Tinamba community with a functional, attractive, and welcoming venue for gatherings.

“The site is ideally placed next to the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, providing an opportunity to promote the region and generate economic benefits for the General Store and award-winning Tinamba Hotel.”

“The availability of additional land on the new site will also enable other community assets to be consolidated on-site in future.”

Mr Bull said Victorian Government funding towards the $103,009 Tinamba Community Meeting Rooms project would be provided through the Regional Growth Fund to the Tinamba Public Hall Committee, which would contribute the balance of funds.
 
“The Regional Growth Fund invests in community-led projects to drive jobs, investment and innovation in rural and regional Victoria,” Mr Bull said.

“Since it was established in 2011, the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund has invested in almost 1800 local projects in communities outside of Melbourne, generating almost $2 billion of total investment.”

The project is expected to be complete in March 2016.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, met with Gippsland Lakes Community Health CEO, Sue Medson, to discuss the positive benefit the establishment of a Risk Assessment and Management Panel will have for vulnerable members of our community at risk of family violence.

The State Government is investing $775,000 to expand a highly effective program that will help to protect women and children at the highest risk from family violence in East Gippsland and surrounds.

Member for East Gippsland, Tim Bull, said the funding would support the establishment of a Risk Assessment and Management Panel (RAMP) and related case management support that would cover the local government areas of East Gippsland and Wellington.

“This is a watershed moment in improving our response to family violence,” Mr Bull said.

“This funding will enable immediate practical assistance and case management support for women and children including those at imminent risk of serious injury or death as a result of complex family violence.”

“It means women and children at high risk of violence can be supported and protected in a coordinated way under a response that brings together Victoria Police, child protection, housing, courts, corrections, health, community and family violence services to plan for the safety of the woman and her children and hold the perpetrator to account.”

Gippsland Lakes Community Health will lead the establishment of the RAMP as part of the Coalition Government’s extension of the proven Strengthening Risk Management initiative.

“These highly effective panels allow agencies to share information; ensuring that women and children at the highest risk of serious injury or death as a result of family violence are supported and protected in a coordinated way.”

“By working hand in hand with police and the courts, the panel will be empowered to take decisive action by holding perpetrators accountable for their violent behaviour.”

Gippsland Lakes Community Health CEO, Sue Medson, said that this is a great opportunity to work collaboratively with other organisations.  

“The RAMP will enhance the service system as part of the recently announced ‘Services Connect Partnership’ for East Gippsland and Wellington, coordinating services for vulnerable people within our community,” she said.

Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge said the establishment of this RAMP is part of a $17.3 million funding package to expand the highly effective program state wide. The expansion is underpinned by the success of two pilot RAMP projects that have been running in the cities of Hume and Greater Geelong.

“We can – and are – making a difference in ensuring that family violence is not accepted in Victoria and women and children receive effective support,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Further, funding of $434,000 will also be provided to the Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault in advance of the opening of the new $4.8 million Morwell multidisciplinary centre that will become operational by mid-2015. This centre co-locates police, child protection practitioners and sexual assault counsellors to support and deliver better outcomes for victims of sexual assault.

Family violence is a complex issue and there are no quick fixes. It needs a whole-of-government strategy that tackles this insidious crime at all levels. The Napthine Government has recently announced a comprehensive $150 million action package that will reduce the incidence of family violence across Victoria. Highlights include:
•    $41 million to deliver Victoria's largest ever prevention campaign in partnership with Our Watch, including a social marketing and behaviour change campaign and local community action;
•    Expanded crisis accommodation support for women and children;
•    A new Multi-Disciplinary Centre for women and children who experience sexual assault, complete with police, sexual assault and family violence experts and child protection staff;
•    Outreach teachers to work with children fleeing family violence;
•    A trial of GPS monitoring of high risk perpetrators;
•    Additional legal and advocacy support for women;
•    Behaviour change programs for men in prison;
•    Specialist staff in courts to assist victims and perpetrators of violence through the court processes; and
•    Improved and expanded post-crisis support for women and children.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, today announced $100,000 in State funds for the construction of a shared cycling and pedestrian pathway in Maffra.  Tim is pictured with Wellington Shire Council CEO, David Morcom, and members of the Maffra community at today’s announcement.

The Victorian Coalition Government is investing $100,000 from the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund to complete a path network for cyclists and pedestrians in Maffra, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced today.

Mr Bull said the McLean Street Maffra Shared Pathway project would connect residential areas with the hospital and major facilities in the town.

“Maffra is home to just over 5,000 people, and is the centre of the Macalister agricultural, cattle and dairy farming region,” Mr Bull said.

“This project will build an east-west connection between existing pathways within the township to form a network that connects key community facilities and improves transport options for Maffra residents.

“The 2.5-metre-wide pathway will suit pedestrians and cyclists, and run the length of McLean Street.

“The new path will enable safe, off-road walking and cycling between the Maffra Recreation Reserve, Maffra wetlands, Victoria Park and the Cameron Sporting Complex.

“It will also link residential areas to the hospital and senior citizens club, and provide access to the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.

“By developing a safe and accessible path for pedestrians and cyclists, the project will encourage active living in Maffra,” he said.

Mr Bull said Victorian Coalition Government funding towards the $300,300 McLean Street Maffra Shared Pathway project would be provided through the Regional Growth Fund to Wellington Shire Council, which would contribute the remaining $200,000.

“The Regional Growth Fund invests in community-led projects to drive jobs, investment and innovation in rural and regional Victoria,” Mr Bull said.

“Since it was established in 2011, the Regional Growth Fund has invested in almost 1,800 local projects in communities outside Melbourne, generating almost $2 billion of total investment.”

The project is expected to be complete in March 2015.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, looks on as one of the nation's best junior talents, Aislin Jones, of Lakes Entrance, practises at the soon to be upgraded Bairnsdale Clay Target Club facilities.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has announced $15,500 in State funds towards Bairnsdale Clay Target Club’s purchase of three new clay traps.

Mr Bull said the club would contribute $7,500 of its own funds towards the total project cost of $23,000.

“This is a fantastic project for the local club which will benefit all members, allowing them to train at upgraded facilities, with the closest facility of this standard currently located in Frankston,” he said.

"Perhaps most importantly it will allow our talented shooters, particularly our juniors, to practice locally in high class facilities without having to undertake - at considerable costs to parents - a seven hour round trip."

Mr Bull said the funding was part of the Victorian Coalition’s Shooting Sports Facilities Program (SSFP) which helps shooting clubs and associations build the capacity of the sport and promote safe and responsible participation throughout the state.

“Sports clubs and their facilities are a vital part of the social fabric of Victorian communities, which is why we’re working hard to deliver great venues where clubs can thrive and residents can participate in the sports they love.

“Our investment will deliver important improvements to ensure Bairnsdale Clay Target Club can continue to provide important community assets for many years to come,” he said.

“I’m sure the Bairnsdale Clay Target Club will look forward to hosting more events, and attracting more members, which will not only benefit the local club but the broader community as more people visit our region to attend events and spend money in our local businesses.”

“I’d like to thank the club for its generous funding contribution and hard work to get the ball rolling on these improvements,” he said.

Minister for Sport and Recreation, Damian Drum said the Coalition was proud to invest in projects that encourage even more people to enjoy the benefits of local sporting clubs that promote safe and responsible firearms ownership.

“It’s part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to build a more active and healthy Victoria, generate additional economic activity for local communities and assist in fostering the social outcomes that sporting clubs provide,” Mr Drum said.

For more information about future rounds of the SSFP and other community sporting facility funding programs on offer, please visit www.sport.vic.gov.au