November 2013
Saturday, 30 November 2013 12:14

New fire station and tankers for Omeo Group of Brigades

East Gippsland will be better prepared for summer with today’s opening of a new fire station in Ensay and the delivery of new tankers to the Swifts Creek and Omeo Fire Brigades.

Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull said the new station and tankers worth over $1 million were valuable additions ahead of the summer season.

“The new station and tankers will improve the safety of residents in East Gippsland and provide a valuable boost to firefighting efforts in this region,” Mr Bull said.

Mr Bull said the new station in Ensay was the product of hard work by CFA and the government to increase fire protection in East Gippsland.

“The new Ensay fire station delivers on the Victorian Coalition Government’s commitment to upgrading firefighting facilities and infrastructure across the state,” Mr Bull said.

“The station replaces the outdated shed from the 1980s with a modern facility that reflects the Ensay community’s current and future needs.”

The station cost $416,000 and was built by Gippsland based company RAL Constructions. The brigade contributed $6,000 toward the parking facilities at the front of the station.

Mr Bull said the tankers cost $335,000 each and have spray protection systems to keep firefighters safe in the event of a burnover.

“The two tankers are designed and built for combating bushfires in Australian conditions and are ideal for the rough terrain of the High Country,” Mr Bull said.

Mr Bull said Gippsland residents should ensure they talk to their household about their plans for a high-risk day.

“If you are unsure, discuss your risk with your local CFA brigade and find out where to go for Fire Danger Ratings and warnings,” Mr Bull said.

“Now is the time to understand your risk – not when a fire starts.

“If you live near bush and it’s a high-risk day, leave and live because leaving early is the safest option to protect you and your family.”

Mr Bull said $61 million was committed in the 2013-14 Victorian Budget to replace run down and ageing rural fire stations across the state.

“The Coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to upgrade 250 CFA stations over our first term, and we will continue to strengthen Victoria’s emergency services,” Mr Bull said.

“We are proud of the vital work performed by CFA, one of the world’s largest volunteer organisations with more than 60,000 members – 98 per cent of them volunteers.”

Published in Media
Wednesday, 20 November 2013 12:10

$1 million boost for road and bridge maintenance

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, today announced East Gippsland Shire will receive a $1 million grant from the Victorian Coalition Government’s Country Roads and Bridges Fund.

“The four year Country Roads and Bridges Program is now in its third year and provides up to $1 million, per council, per year to 40 rural councils.

“This is a total of $160 million of additional funds to improve the condition of roads and bridges in rural Victoria,” Mr Bull said.

East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Cr Mark Reeves, said Council will spend $1 million on significant upgrades to the Wallagaraugh River Bridge at Genoa.

“This grant will allow Council to replace the bridge’s deck and abutments – which are timber – with concrete and steel,” Cr Reeves said.

“This will significantly reduce Council’s maintenance costs for this asset, with construction work set to commence in 2014, following a tender process.”

Wellington Shire Council is also set to receive $1m from the program which will be used to:

•    improve the road surface on sections of Woranga School Road at Yarram; Tip Road at Seaspray and Billy Creek Road at Staceys Bridge; and

•    renewal works on the McLean Street Bridge at Yarram and Pogues Bridge at Carrajung South.

Mr Bull said the 2013-14 Victorian Budget also included $170 million for road maintenance including $90 million which will go towards renewing deteriorated roads by strengthening the pavement and a further $80 million for resurfacing works to make roads more resilient to wet weather.

“The $170 million package will be delivered across three years, and will be a big improvement on the previous system that allocated funds on an annual basis,” Mr Bull said.

Published in Media
Friday, 15 November 2013 12:09

$100,000 for continued health of Gippsland Lakes

The health of the iconic Gippsland Lakes will be further enhanced with the Victorian Coalition Government to provide $100,000 to evaluate the water quality of the lakes and surrounding catchments.

Opening today’s Love Our Lakes Forum in Lakes Entrance, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced the $100,000 funding allocation, sourced from round three of the Coalition Government’s $10 million Gippsland Lakes Environmental Fund.

“Today I’m delighted to announce funding for a study that will enable the Environment Protection Authority to evaluate the water quality of the Gippsland Lakes and its catchments,” Mr Bull said.

“The project will involve a scientific and strategic monitoring and reporting plan, develop appropriate water quality objectives, and gather clear scientific evidence about water quality.”

Mr Bull said today’s Love Our Lakes Forum provided an opportunity discuss the health of the Gippsland Lakes and encouraged participation in the custodianship and care of the Gippsland Lakes and showcased some of projects being undertaken by the Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee (GLMAC).

“The forum has brought together community members, researchers, educators, industry and government representatives to share their knowledge and discuss ways to increase understanding and involvement in the management of the Gippsland Lakes,” Mr Bull said.

“GLMAC plays an important role in advising the Coalition Government on the health of the Gippsland Lakes and recommending action through the $10 million Gippsland Lakes Environment Fund, which was an important Coalition Government election commitment.

Mr Ryan said the Coalition Government was proud to have invested $10 million, over four years, toward practical environmental projects to protect the Gippsland Lakes.

“We have recently announced $3 million for 18 projects to improve the health of the Gippsland Lakes as part of stage three of the funding roll-out,” Mr Ryan said.

“This additional $3 million brings the total amount of funding delivered through to $10 million Gippsland Lakes Environmental Fund  to more than $5.5 million for stages one to three,  delivering projects that improve the health of the lakes and support surrounding communities and the fishing industry.

“The funding will support the work of community organisations, research bodies and government authorities including Landcare groups, Greening Australia, the Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation, the Environment Protection Authority and Parks Victoria.

“Among the projects funded are initiatives that include the restoration of wetlands, planting of native vegetation, protecting threatened species and habitats, reducing inflows of silt and nutrients, and controlling pests.”

Published in Media
Monday, 11 November 2013 12:07

Lucknow Football oval set to light up!

Lucknow football oval is set to light up this season thanks to an $81,000 grant from the State Government to upgrade the recreation reserve light towers to competition standard.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the funding was part of the Victorian Government’s Country Football Netball Program to build better facilities for local people across the State.

“Local sport plays an important role in not only bringing people together, which is why we’re working hard to deliver great venues where residents can play the sports they love,” Mr Bull said.

“Having high quality sporting facilities is central to encouraging more Victorians to get more active, more often, which is a top priority for this government.

“Our investment will deliver important improvements to ensure the Lucknow Recreation Reserve continues to be an important community asset for many years to come,” he said.

East Gippsland Shire CEO, Steve Kozlowski, said East Gippsland Shire appreciates the significant contribution of the State Government to this worthwhile sporting infrastructure.

“The work will provide additional opportunities for further use of the recreation reserve facilities in Lucknow,” Mr Kozlowski said.

Member of the Lucknow Recreation Reserve Committee, Andrew Gibbons, said the existing light tower poles were over 25 years old and in need of an upgrade.

“The project will also include not only new lights for the football oval but new lights and poles to the netball courts, which is a fantastic result for the recreation reserve.

“I’d like to thank East Gippsland Shire Council for their generous funding contributions of $160,000 and all the hard work from the recreation reserve committee who contributed $10,000 to the project.

“I’m sure the club here at Lucknow will look forward to playing at an enhanced home ground, and attracting more members,” Mr Gibbons said.

Mr Bull said regional and outer-metropolitan football and netball clubs looking to replace or redevelop their local facilities could apply for up to $100,000 through their local councils.

For more information about the Country Football Netball Program and other community sporting facility funding programs on offer, please visit www.sport.vic.gov.au

Published in Media