The Victorian Coalition Government will deliver $1 million for a new, permanent state-of-the-art MRI service at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.

Visiting Bairnsdale Regional Health Service today, Minister for Health David Davis said Bairnsdale was among 31 health services to share in $17.5 million of grants from the third round of the Rural Capital Support Fund.

“The Coalition Government is delivering $56 million over four years to the Rural Capital Support Fund that provides grants to improve rural and regional health facilities,” Mr Davis said.

“The grants help hospitals, aged care facilities, women’s health and community health services upgrade facilities, implement new models of care and increase service capacity and efficiency.

“The latest funding comes on top of $20.3 million already delivered through the first two funding rounds.”

Mr Davis said Bairnsdale Regional Health Service will receive $1 million to expand its radiology department and install a new, permanent MRI machine.

“The current MRI is delivered by a mobile service which travels between Latrobe Regional Hospital and Bairnsdale, spending just three days a month in Bairnsdale,” Mr Davis said.

Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull said the Victorian Coalition Government investment will ensure the Bairnsdale community has access to a high quality MRI service all year round.

“Bairnsdale Regional Health Service has received $184,000 through rounds one and two of the Rural Capital Support Fund to upgrade dental facilities and buy new operating theatre lights,” said Mr Bull.

Mr Davis also paid tribute to the local community who have been battling ongoing bushfires this summer throughout Gippsland.

“The last few weeks have tested this community, and it is wonderful to see how well you all have responded. Emergency response staff and volunteers alike, right across Gippsland, have made an incredible contribution to the welfare of this region and I offer my thanks to everyone who lent a hand,” Mr Davis said.

Minister for Health David Davis today thanked staff and greeted patients as he toured the Mallacoota District Health and Support Service.

Mr Davis said Mallacoota District Health and Support Service plays a vital role in delivering important health services to residents and tourists visiting the remote East Gippsland communities of Mallacoota, Gipsy Point, Genoa and beyond.

“With around half of the local population aged over 55, health provision in this community offers particular challenges and opportunities,” Mr Davis said.

Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull said Mallacoota is a tourist town and its population more than quadruples at this time of year.

“While that is a boon for a number of local industries, it also puts strain on local services. Mallacoota District Health and Support Service successfully manages this influx every year.

“Mallacoota District Health and Support Service has 38 staff supported by 44 dedicated volunteers, delivering a range of health services including home and community care services,” said Mr Bull.

Mr Davis also paid tribute to the local community who have been battling ongoing bushfires this summer throughout Gippsland.

“While this area has thankfully not been impacted directly, I acknowledge all the work that has gone into ensuring the community, and particularly health services across this community, are prepared for any emergency,” Mr Davis said.

“Emergency response staff and volunteers alike, right across Gippsland, have made an incredible contribution to the welfare of this region and I offer my thanks to everyone who lent a hand.”

Mr Davis said the Coalition Government was ensuring Victoria had the key infrastructure in place to deliver high quality healthcare into the 21st century.

“We have more than $4.5 billion of health infrastructure investment underway across Victoria,” Mr Davis said.

The Victorian Coalition Government is improving recreational fishing opportunities in East Gippsland with the installation of seven new artificial reefs in the Gippsland Lakes, (Metung and Nungurner), Mallacoota Inlet and Lake Tyers.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the Coalition Government had provided $400,000 for the reefs from the $16 million Recreational Fishing Initiative, which is improving recreational fishing opportunities in Gippsland and across the state.   “A number of similar reefs also funded by the Coalition Government have been successfully deployed in Port Phillip Bay and have improved fishing opportunities by attracting a variety of recreational species,” Mr Bull said.

“The new Gippsland reefs are the culmination of 12 months’ work consulting with locals, undertaking detailed site works and making sure we had the necessary permits.

“The reefs should help to attract popular recreational fish.

The artificial reefs are purpose-built hollow concrete structures which provide habitat for a range of fish and marine life.

Mr Bull said Gippsland Ports and local contractors had begun installing the reefs, which vary in shape and size, in the Gippsland Lakes last week, with Lake Tyers and Mallacoota to follow next month.

“These reefs are additional to the range of projects already funded by recreational licence fees to improve fishing in Victoria,” Mr Bull said.

Now in its third year, the Coalition Government’s Recreational Fishing Initiative is stocking more fish, improving access and facilities, upgrading boat launching facilities, building new fishing reefs, undertaking more fisheries research and strengthening fisheries enforcement and education.

For more information about the Recreational Fishing Initiative and other recreational fishing reef projects visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/betterfishing or if you have a suggestion how Fisheries Victoria can improve recreational fishing email your idea to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.