Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, today launched the new Bairnsdale CCTV cameras with members of the Bairnsdale community including East Gippsland Shire Council, Bairnsdale Chamber of Commerce, Bairnsdale Police Force, ATR Communications (installers) and Business and Tourism – East Gippsland.

Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance will now benefit from CCTV systems in their central business districts after they were launched today by State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull and Deputy Mayor, Peter Neal.
 
Mr Bull said the State Government contributed $110,000 to the project and the Shire Council $47,000.

"The upgrade and expansion of the camera network in both towns will increase the safety of the commercial and entertainment precincts in Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance through acting as a deterrent to any person who wishes to engage in anti-social behaviour.

“The new cameras across Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance will make a real difference by assisting police in preventing, detecting and investigating crimes in identified hot spots.

“These projects have been very well supported by the local residents and the local Bairnsdale Chamber of Commerce and Lakes Entrance Development and Action Group, who have advocated strongly for the introduction of CCTV cameras.

“The Victorian Coalition Government has invested in community safety, delivering funding and support for CCTV technology across regional Victoria,” Mr Bull said.

“It will help create a safer environment for the Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance communities, especially those who are looking for a night out.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to supporting communities to come up with local crime prevention initiatives that address local problems.

“Councils, working in partnership with community groups and individuals, are best placed to identify issues and come up with solutions. This latest CCTV initiative in Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance, which was the result of extensive community consultation, is a great example of that.

"It is another great project we have been able to deliver to the regions through working with the East Gippsland Shire Council," Mr Bull said.

For further information on go to www.crimeprevention.vic.gov.au

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull toured the Maffra Community House recently with members, Freda Bick - Chairperson, Leahn Bulmer - Coordinator, Clare Adams - Vice Chairperson, Jenny Toma - Committee Member and Kim Simon – Volunteer and Wellington Shire Council Mayor, Cr Scott Rossetti. The Community House has received an additional $25,412.

Maffra Community House will receive $25,412 additional funding from the Victorian Coalition Government, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced today.

Mr Bull said the funding would boost existing support and allow for 10 additional coordination hours at the Community House.

“Neighbourhood Houses are great community assets welcoming people together from all walks of life, to connect, learn and contribute in their local community.

“This inclusive approach creates opportunities for individuals and groups to enrich their lives through connections they might not otherwise make,” he said.

Minister for Community Services, Mary Wooldridge, said 35 Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria will benefit from an extra $2.9 million in funding from the Coalition Government.

“Additional funding has gone to Neighbourhood Houses that have demonstrated a strong community need and capacity to deliver increased activities,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“Under the previous Labor Government many Neighbourhood Houses were not funded at a level that was sustainable.

“The Coalition Government has invested in Neighbourhood Houses so that all houses open for less than 20 hours a week can apply for additional funding to expand their hours of operation in order to enhance their capacity to serve the community.

“It will allow the houses to boost their services and for their communities to continue to grow with the help of this wonderful organisation,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Each year the Victorian Coalition Government provides $25 million to support more than 370 Neighbourhood Houses and the Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, pictured with members of LEADA – Alison Brewer, Tony Fredericks and Dale Sumner, East Gippsland Shire Deputy Mayor – Peter Neal and Mayor – Cr Mark Reeves and Gippsland Ports CEO – Nick Murray, at today’s announcement that a new $443,000 destination jetty will be built to service the Myer Street end of Lakes Entrance for recreational boaters.

Recreational boating facilities in Lakes Entrance received a massive boost today with a new jetty will be constructed near the footbridge at a total cost of $443,000.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, made the announcement today with representatives from Gippsland Ports, East Gippsland Shire and Lakes Entrance Action and Development Association (LEADA), who all had input into the project.

“It is essential we continue to improve facilities to cater for our visiting and local boating fraternity,” Mr Bull said.

“At present the majority of public boating facilities are located centrally along the Esplanade, but this new facility will provide improved access to the Esplanade/Myer Street traders, the footbridge and public toilets and picnic areas.

“Gippsland Ports will project manage the construction and have been very proactive in securing funding for projects like this and also the expansion of the main jetty at Metung and new on water re-fuelling facilities at Paynesville.

“Boating generates a significant amount for our local economy and all of these projects are very essential.

“On top of the renovated Visitor Information Centre, natural gas reticulation, entrance board walk, CCTV, sporting upgrades, men’s shed and North Arm on water refuelling facilities to name a few projects, this Government has invested heavily into Lakes Entrance infrastructure in this term.”

“This year’s Boating Safety and Facilities Program include the biggest amount invested in the program’s history, the Gippsland East district is receiving the largest investment with over $1.7 million being provided for seven initiatives,” said Mr Bull.

“There are several big infrastructure projects receiving grants this year in the Gippsland East area, as well as vital equipment upgrades for the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard.  

Minister for Ports David Hodgett said I’m proud to say that over the past four years the Victorian Coalition Government has invested over $40 million in total on around 250 recreational boating projects to address safety and improve accessibility across the State’s waterways.  
 
For more information about the Boating Safety and Facilities Program, contact the Grants Administration Team on 1800 337 222, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/grants

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, pictured with local Paynesville residents, business owners and agency representatives at today’s announcement of a new refuelling facility for Paynesville recreational boaters.

Paynesville will now provide recreational boaters with 24 hour refuelling facilities thanks to a $485,000 upgrade announced today by State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.

Mr Bull said the new design would also improve safety in the marine precinct where the works will occur.

“The new jetty extension on which the refuelling facilities will be located will provide swipe card access to fuel, meaning recreational boat operators will now be able to access fuel 24 hours a day seven days a week, rather than the facility having to be personally manned for operation.

“We heard today that in peak times the wait can be over an hour to refuel and this should provide a far more streamlined process with two bowsers.

“The jetty on which the facility is currently located is home to a hire fleet vessel and also pump out facilities, so it can be very busy and congested, which is not ideal at a refuelling facility.

“The extension will provide a much safer area and move the refuelling area away from those hiring a boat or using the pump out.

“Gippsland Ports will oversee the project and it was terrific to have representatives from the Paynesville Business and Tourism Association, Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club, Paynesville Motor Cruiser Club, Coast Guard, East Gippsland Marketing Inc and East Gippsland Shire all present today in support of the project.

“Not only does this year’s Boating Safety and Facilities Program include the biggest amount invested in the program’s history, the Gippsland East district is receiving the largest investment with over $1.7 million being provided for seven initiatives,” said Mr Bull.

“There are several big infrastructure projects receiving grants this year in the Gippsland East area, as well as vital equipment upgrades for the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard,” he said.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced to a large gathering of local Metung residents and business owners that an $800,000 extension to the Metung Wharf will be completed before the 2015/16 peak summer period.

The iconic Metung Wharf is about to double in size thanks to an $800,000 project announced today by State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.

“The jetty is a very popular destination over the summer period and everyone who owns a boat would know it can be difficult finding a berth in peak periods, but the doubling in size will certainly assist in alleviating this problem.

“I spent a fair bit of my time growing up swimming and fishing from this jetty and I can recall my grandfather telling me about the crowds that used to gather here in the early years of last century to meet the daily steamer run.

“The old crane that used to unload cargo boats and put masts in yachts was still here when I was a youngster. It is a location that is steeped in history and that is about to enter another phase with this construction to be completed in 2015.

“Gippsland Ports has ensured local community groups have been involved in this process and I thank them for their efforts and the local community that has advocated for this outcome,” Mr Bull said.

Gippsland Ports Chief Executive Officer, Nick Murray, thanked his staff who had worked hard on this project and added the facility would offer a significantly increased number of transient berths.

A number of Metung community members turned out for the announcement today in support of the project.

Minister for Ports, David Hodgett, said the Victorian Coalition Government has a strong record of investing in projects to make recreational boating safer and more accessible for all Victorians.

For more information about the Boating Safety and Facilities Program, contact the Grants Administration Team on 1800 337 222, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/grants

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, pictured with members of the Bundalaguah Hall Committee, John and Elisa Buxton, Noel and Marian Atherstone, John Schroeder, Yvonne Baird and Wellington Shire Council’s Mayor – Cr Scott Rossetti and Coordinator Community Committees – Geoff Hay at a recent announcement that Bundalaguah Hall will receive $47,000 in State funds to modernise the popular community hall.

The Victorian Coalition Government is investing $47,000 from the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund in a project to modernise the Bundalaguah Hall, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced recently.

Mr Bull said the project would replace a leaking roof and install new toilets, kitchen, and fencing.

“The upgraded facility will then be able to satisfy growing demand from local music, arts and community groups,” he said.

Mr Bull said the works would focus on making the facility a safe and functioning community hall able to meet the many varied needs of the community.

“While aspects of the project scope focus upon addressing safety issues, such as the roof and fencing, the addition of a new toilet will bring the hall up to a standard that acknowledges the breadth of community groups using it,” Mr Bull said.

“The addition of a new kitchen acknowledges advances in safe food handling and the many events at the hall that require various levels of catering.

“The overall project is fundamentally about supporting an enthusiastic and strong new Bundalaguah Myrtlebank Hall Committee, which is dedicated to expanding the programming at the hall to be able to deliver its activities.”

Mr Bull said Victorian Coalition Government funding towards the $67,242 Bundalaguah Hall Upgrade project would be provided through the Regional Growth Fund to Bundalaguah Myrtlebank Hall Committee. The Committee will contribute $10,226 along with $2,937 from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, $2,119 from Wellington Shire Council and $4,960 in-kind from the local community.

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

“Since it was established in 2011, the Regional Growth Fund has delivered almost $440 million, generating over $1.8 billion of total investment across 1600 projects.

“In Wellington Shire, the Regional Growth Fund has provided $12 million to 44 projects, leveraging $41.9 million in total investment. Those projects include:
•    $500,000 for the $2.477 million Australian Sustainable Hardwoods expansion project;
•    $300,000 for the Maffra Cheese expansion project; and
•    $200,000 for the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail project (Glengarry to Cowwarr section).

The Bundalaguah Hall Upgrade project is expected to be completed in February 2015.