Representations have been made in State Parliament this week to ensure the East Gippsland Field Days and Buchan Rodeo can proceed this year.

Both events, to be held in the coming weeks, are yet to receive approvals for their COVID safe plans, despite having submitted them some time ago – and they cannot be held without this sign off.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, this week requested the Government fast track these approvals.

“This should not take so long and only leads to great uncertainty for these volunteer committees,” said Mr Bull.

“The last time we raised these matters, the Minister said he made no apologies for the strong scrutiny and while no-one objects to that, it is not reason to leave these things to the eleventh hour when they have been lodged for some time.

“One of the ridiculous things is there were questions around the deep clean at the Field Days. The assessors did not seem to realise it is held in an open paddock and you cannot deep clean grass and gravel.

“Those who are putting in hours and hours of volunteer time need the certainty of being able to proceed, by having these plans approved – that is why they lodged the applications early.

“The Buchan Rodeo has a 52-year history and the Field Days is our biggest event.

“Minister, you have had a long time to have this process streamlined, so please fire up your department to complete these assessments in a timely manner,” he told Parliament.

Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, pictured at the 2018 East Gippsland Field Days, is eager for the event and others like it to receive the necessary approval to proceed.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021