July 2017
Monday, 31 July 2017 10:09

Move to have Jack’s name live on

Maffra Football Netball Club’s pavilion might soon have a new name, following a request from Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

Mr Bull recently wrote to Wellington Shire Council suggesting the Recreation Reserve be named after the late John ‘Jack’ Vardy, a long-time Maffra resident and stalwart of the club.

In its response, Council advised it had received an objection to the proposal after advertising the suggestion, due to there being a number of contributors over the oval’s 148-year history, however recommended the pavilion be named in his honour, with Jack being the main driver behind its construction.

“Wellington Shire then advertised that the suggestion to rename the facility the ‘John Vardy Pavilion’ and no objections were received,” Mr Bull said.

The proposal will go before the Wellington Shire Council Place Names Committee on August 8, with council to then apply to the Office of Geographic Names to formalise the name.

“I thank the council for taking the idea on board and progressing it to this stage. This is fantastic news for Jack and his family as he did so much in the community and had a genuine love for the Maffra Football Netball Club,” Mr Bull said.

“He was a terrific man, always spoke his mind and was a great asset for the community,” Mr Bull said.

Vice president, Paul Bourke, said the club was pleased with the plans.

“Jack was like a dog with a bone – when he had an idea he pursued it. He played a big part in the function centre being built and in getting the new lights,” Mr Bourke said.

Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, with Maffra Football Netball Club vice president, Paul Bourke, in front of the building that could soon be renamed the John Vardy Pavilion.

Monday, July 31, 2017

Published in Media
Friday, 28 July 2017 10:29

Drop in for more about roadworks

East Gippsland residents are being urged to attend upcoming information sessions on VicRoads’ plans to improve safety on Paynesville Road and the Princes Highway between Stratford and Bairnsdale.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said some constituents had contacted his office about proposed works on the two stretches of roads, which includes provision for the installation of wire safety barriers.

“A number of motorists have contacted my office seeking further information, so I would urge them, and others, to attend these drop-in information sessions,” he said.

Three sessions will be held between 4pm and 7pm, at:

• Redcourt Homestead (Redcourt Lane, Lindenow) on Tuesday, August 1;

• Stratford Mechanics Hall (Hobson Street, Stratford) on Wednesday, August 2; and

• East Gippsland Community Hub (Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale), on Thursday, August 3 (for Paynesville Road).

“VicRoads will have staff on hand to answer any questions and note any concerns motorists may have about the proposals,” Mr Bull said.

Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is urging those seeking further information regarding proposed works along Paynesville Road and the Princes Highway between Stratford and Bairnsdale, to attend community information sessions next week.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Published in Media
Wednesday, 26 July 2017 11:37

Kindergarten funding opportunities

Kindergarten operators and councils across East Gippsland are being encouraged to apply for major grant funding under the Children’s Facilities Capital Program.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the program, open until September 15, offered funding to build and refurbish centres across three categories:

• Integrated Children’s Centre Grants (up to $1.6 million);

• New Early Learning Facilities Grants (up to $650,000); and

• Early Learning Facilities Upgrade Grants (up to $350,000).

"The quality of a child’s earliest environments and the availability of appropriate facilities at the right stages of development are crucial in determining the way each child develops,” Mr Bull said.

“We also know that we need great early learning facilities to help attract and retain young families to our region and better manage population growth in Victoria.

“This program is a great opportunity to fund projects that will improve facilities and opportunities for children and families in our rural settings,” Mr Bull said.

For further information, visit www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/funding.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Published in Media
Monday, 24 July 2017 11:47

Natural gas information sessions

Lakes Entrance and Orbost residents seeking more information on their town’s natural gas rollout have the opportunity to attend community forums this week.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, who was part of the Liberal-National Coalition Government that provided funding for reticulation in the two towns, is urging locals to attend the forums, to be held in Lakes Entrance tomorrow night (Tuesday) and Orbost on Wednesday.

Mr Bull said the information sessions would be held at the Lakes View Golf Course and Orbost Golf Club respectively, between 6pm and 8pm, across the two nights.

“The delivery of natural gas to these towns is getting closer and given there has been some time now between the awarding of the contract in 2014 and more recent developments, such as securing local government approvals for the ‘daughter’ stations, many people have been seeking further information,” Mr Bull said.

“Representatives from Enwave Victorian Networks (formerly Brookfield) will attend the two forums to provide a project summary and offer an opportunity for questions and feedback,” Mr Bull said.

The former Liberal-National Coalition provided $55 million from the Regional Growth Fund for connection in a number of Victorian towns, including Lakes Entrance and Orbost, as part of the Energy for the Regions Program.

More information on natural gas, along with a rollout schedule, is available at www.vic.tasgas.com.au

Monday, July 24, 2017

Published in Media
Wednesday, 12 July 2017 15:34

Labor must step up for timber industry

Victoria’s timber industry has been given a glimmer of hope in the latest report into the Leadbeater’s Possum protection measures but the Andrews Labor Government now needs to step up.

The review of the effectiveness and impact of timber harvesting exclusion zones around Leadbeater's Possum colonies has finally been released after months of delay.

The review confirmed:

•        More possums have been detected than expected.
•        More than 90 per cent of the possum’s potential, or most likely occupied, habitat in the Central Highlands has never been surveyed.
•        There is only limited data on the number of Leadbeater’s Possum colonies and habitat in Victoria’s National Parks and reserves.
•        Further field studies across all land tenures are urgently required.
•        VicForests has suffered $14 million in lost revenue as a result of the zones, and timber availability has been forecast to reduce by 65,000 cubic metres.

Comments attributable to Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh

“If the timber industry is going to survive, the Andrews Government must rapidly change its policy direction and accept that the Leadbeater’s Possum and a viable forestry sector can co-exist.

“Daniel Andrews must decide if he’s backing a $7 billion industry that support up to 50,000 jobs across Victoria, or if he’s going to sacrifice all of that in order to save a couple of inner city Labor seats with Greens preferences next election.”

Comments attributable to Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull

“There are now 618 confirmed Leadbeater’s Possum colonies, a huge increase on numbers two years ago, and that’s just from looking in a relatively small area of general public forest.

“The Andrews Government must urgently get on with recommended comprehensive survey work across all landscapes because this review makes it crystal clear past population estimates were grossly inadequate and have distorted public debate.

“The future of thousands of jobs in Victoria’s forest industry are in the hands of Daniel Andrews. Will he action the recommendations of this review, or will he continue his stealth campaign to create the Great Forest National Park in the hope of saving his own skin?”

 

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

 

Published in Media
Tuesday, 04 July 2017 11:27

Mill questions remain unanswered

Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, has said some key details on yesterday's Heyfield Mill announcement were yet to be fully explained and the State Government needed to provide clarity for the workers, their families and the Heyfield community.

 "There are a number of details and questions the Minister needs to provide answers to, as they either weren't covered off on, or were completely avoided when asked,” Mr Bull said.

These questions include:

1. If timber supply to Heyfield is being reduced to a little more than half of what it is now (down to 80,000 cubic metres), how can all the 250 jobs be retained as you say they will? Please explain how that will be achieved on a greatly reduced timber supply.

2. When you say "obviously the mill will need to be restructured due to reduced timber supply", Minister, what does this mean (for jobs in particular)?

3. Mill management stated that one full shift will be lost next year with the reduced timber supply, but you say all 250 jobs are being retained. How can a shift be removed, but all jobs retained?

4. When you say all jobs will be retained in the "transition stage", how long is this and will all the 250 jobs be there in October next year?

 "The reason the detail has not been provided and the questions ignored is because there will be significant job losses as a result of this decision and the Minister needs to come clean with the people of Heyfield and East Gippsland," Mr Bull said.

 

Caption: Gippsland East MP Tim Bull in Heyfield yesterday answering questions on the mill. He says it's now time the Government provided some specific responses.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

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