October 2014
Tuesday, 14 October 2014 11:59

$95,000 investment in youth programs

The Victorian Coalition Government is investing $95,000 in East Gippsland to help young people develop skills, build confidence and make new connections for life after school.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has announced Workways Bairnsdale will receive the $95,000 funding to support a range of local initiatives for young people

“Mr Bull said Workways’ program, ‘Gippsland East Mentoring’ (GEM), recruits community mentors to assist disengaged and ‘at risk’ young people who are identified as needing a person in their lives who can assist them to improve their self-confidence, their relationships with peers and family, school attendance and help them feel connected to the community.”

A further $130,000 has been allocated to Game Changers Australia for its ‘Captains Camp’ which combines sport, leadership and personal development into a program.  ‘Captains Camp’ is open to young people who display leadership within their sporting club and reside in the Gippsland area.

“These programs build on the Napthine Government’s commitment to give young people in East Gippsland more opportunities to get involved in their local community and to develop skills that will help them in education and along employment pathways,” Mr Bull said.

Minister for Youth Affairs, Ryan Smith, said this investment in East Gippsland forms part of the Napthine Government’s $12 million Engage program.
 
“Through the Engage program, more than 100 Victorian organisations are assisting young people to make the most of volunteering and mentoring opportunities, helping them to develop wide-ranging skills for education, training and employment,” Mr Smith said.

“The Engage program is another example of how the Coalition Government is working with the community to give young people more opportunities to follow their dreams and achieve their best,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Bull welcomed the funding from the Napthine Government’s Engage program that will help more young people in East Gippsland live active, healthy and fulfilling lives.

For more information visit www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au

Published in Media
Monday, 13 October 2014 11:57

Funding for Lakes Entrance Landcare

The efforts of local community groups in Gippsland have been acknowledged by the Victorian Coalition Government, with the latest round of Victorian Landcare Grants announced.

Lakes Entrance Community Landcare will receive $4,380 to engage more women and encourage new people into Landcare with the aim to improve physical and mental health through involvement in activities including educational events, weed control and revegetation works.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said these grants were one of the ways the government was supporting practical action at a local level.

“The Victorian Landcare grants support local community groups by providing grants to complete on-ground works to conserve and enhance their local environment.

“In Gippsland East, over $196,000 has been allocated to target environmental projects that maintain and support our native plants and animals and support local Landcare groups.

“It is great to see local environmental groups and community organisations receiving grants to fund environmental projects close to home.

“To strengthen and support the Landcare movement in the region, we will also provide groups access to a share of $24,000 in maintenance/start up grants to ensure a strong Landcare base and enable volunteers to focus on their hands-on environment role,” Mr Bull said.

Recipients of maintenance grants included Lakes Entrance and Community Landcare, Nungurner Landcare and Tambo Bluff Landcare/Coastcare.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith, said the Victorian Coalition Government’s Victorian Landcare program highlights the partnerships between government, community and environmental groups.

“Our environment will benefit from the Victorian Landcare Grants program, which has a strong focus on providing local community groups with the support they need to deliver environmental benefits at a local level,” Mr Smith said.

“These grants are another example of the Napthine Government’s ability to deliver real and tangible support to local communities, while contributing to their local environment.

For more information on these grants, visit www.wgcma.vic.gov.au

Published in Media
Friday, 10 October 2014 11:56

Bairnsdale to be better informed this fire season

new state-of-the-art digital bushfire rating warning sign has recently been installed at Howitt Park to better inform East Gippslanders of the pending fire danger, with information updated directly from the CFA website.  The State Government has invested $2.86 million in the program which will see 20 signs rolled out across the State.

State-of-the-art digital technology is being rolled out to provide up-to-date information on fire risk in Bairnsdale.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said drivers would have noticed the new automated fire danger rating (AFDR) sign that has recently been installed on the Princes Highway at Howitt Park.

“It is one of 20 new signs to be rolled out across the state as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s overall $2.86 million investment to make Victoria fire ready.

“The new digital sign will display the fire danger rating, and provides the local community with the latest ratings forecast on how dangerous a fire would be if one started. It will be automatically updated from the CFA website as conditions change,” Mr Bull said.

Victoria has led the way with this technology, becoming the first Australian state to roll it out.

“These new signs will bring the total number of AFDR signs to 85, and provide Victorians with another way to access information they need to make informed decisions about their own safety.

“The sign can also display an alert message that lets drivers know about changing conditions,” Mr Bull said.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Kim Wells, said that this is another example of how the Napthine Government is building a safer and fire ready Victoria.

“The Coalition Government delivered the initial rollout of 65 automated fire danger rating signs in time for the last fire season which has provided an increase to community safety in rural and regional Victoria.

“While these signs are a highly visible way to get the latest Fire Danger Rating information, residents living in Bairnsdale should ensure they continue to seek fire information from a variety of sources,” Mr Wells said.

The automated system is in addition to 350 static fire danger rating signs that CFA brigades manually update every day during the summer fire season.

Fire Danger Ratings are also available on CFA’s website www.cfa.vic.gov.au or by calling the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

Published in Media
Friday, 10 October 2014 11:55

$105,439 Landcare funding for Bairnsdale District

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, and Andrea Savage from Nagle College discuss the $5,335 in Landcare funding the college received to continue with its Mitchell River Rainforest Restoration project.

The efforts of a number of local community groups in Bairnsdale and District have been acknowledged by the Victorian Coalition Government, with the latest round of Victorian Landcare Grants announced.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said with $2.1 million available, these grants were one of the ways the Government was supporting practical action at a local level.

“The Victorian Landcare grants support local community groups by providing funds to complete on-ground works to conserve and enhance their local environment, Mr Bull said.

“In Bairnsdale and District, $105,439 has been allocated to target environmental projects that maintain and support our native plants and animals and support local Landcare groups.

“It is great to see local environmental groups and community organisations receiving grants to fund environmental projects close to home, including:
•    $5,335    Nagle College
•    $4,643    Raymond Island Landcare
•    $9,082    Gippsland Plains Conservation Management Network
•    $9,500    Eagle Point Landcare/Coastcare
•    $57,070    East Gippsland Landcare Network
•    $4,888    Bruthen and District Landcare
•    $9,421    Nicholson River Landcare

“To strengthen and support the Landcare movement in the region, we will also provide groups access to a share of $24,000 in maintenance/start up grants to ensure a strong Landcare base and enable volunteers to focus on their hands-on environment role,” he said.  

Recipients included: Bruthen and District Landcare, Bairnsdale Urban Landcare Group, Eagle Point Landcare/Coastcare, Eastwood Landcare, Flaggy Creek Landcare, Glenaladale Landcare, Nicholson River  Landcare, Friends of Picnic Point  Reserve Landcare, Raymond Island  Landcare, Romawi  Landcare and Swifts Creek/Ensay Landcare.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith, said the Victorian Coalition Government’s Victorian Landcare program highlights the partnerships between government, community and environmental groups.

“Our environment will benefit from the Victorian Landcare Grants program, which has a strong focus on providing local community groups with the support they need to deliver environmental benefits at a local level,” Mr Smith said.

For more information on these grants, visit www.wgcma.vic.gov.au

Published in Media
Friday, 10 October 2014 11:53

New tow vehicle for Marlo Coast Guard

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced $55,792 in State funding for the purchase of a new tow vehicle for the Marlo Coast Guard.  He is pictured with members of the Marlo Volunteer Coast Guard, Judy Van der Vlugt, Harry Ferrier (Commander), Gavan McDonald (Deputy Commander), Cr Mark Reeves (East Gippsland Shire Mayor) and Chris Newman (Gippsland Squadron Commodore).

Marlo Coast Guard will receive a new tow vehicle to support its flotilla thanks to $55,972 in Victorian Coalition Government funding, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced this week.

“When the Marlo Coast Guard receives its new tow vehicle it will be even better equipped to respond to emergency situations on the surrounding coastline.

Mr Bull said the State Government would contribute the $55,972 from the Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).

“This is an important vehicle for the flotilla as Marlo is a mobile coast guard who, at times, are required to travel to launch the vessel at nearby Cape Conran or further afield at places like Tamboon Inlet when responding to an emergency call out,” he said.

Mr Bull said Marlo Coast Guard has been well supported by local people and local companies including Dwyers in Bairnsdale which helped the flotilla with its purchase of the original tow-vehicle and was once again supporting the purchase of the replacement vehicle.

Marlo Volunteer Coast Guard Commander, Harry Ferrier, said members were delighted funding had been received to allow the flotilla to add the new tow vehicle to its emergency response capabilities.

“We are looking forward to receiving our new tow vehicle as the recently commissioned rescue vessel is heavier than our previous vessel and requires a bigger vehicle to tow with.” Mr Ferrier said.

Mr Bull said the Victorian Coalition Government is committed to providing our emergency services with the resources and equipment they need to keep Victorians safe and support stronger local communities.

Mr Bull said that the government had delivered $12.23 million for the 2014-15 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment program (VESEP).

“The VESEP is a partnership between the State Government and communities that allow emergency services volunteers to purchase the latest equipment that will support the ongoing protection of all Victorians.

“In recognition of the significant contribution made by emergency services, the government has invested more than $48 million in the VESEP program since 2010,” he said.

Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced $55,792 in State funding for the purchase of a new tow vehicle for the Marlo Coast Guard.  He is pictured with members of the Marlo Volunteer Coast Guard, Judy Van der Vlugt, Harry Ferrier (Commander), Gavan McDonald (Deputy Commander), Cr Mark Reeves (East Gippsland Shire Mayor) and Chris Newman (Gippsland Squadron Commodore).

Published in Media
Friday, 10 October 2014 11:52

New Coast Guard vessel for Mallacoota

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced $80,000 in State funding for the purchase of a new vessel and tow vehicle for the Mallacoota Coast Guard.

Mallacoota Coast Guard will receive a new vessel and tow vehicle to support the flotilla in the lead up to the opening of Bastion Point boat ramp thanks to $80,000 in Victorian Coalition Government funding, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced this week.

In making the announcement, Mr Bull said the Coast Guard makes a significant contribution to the local community and it is important it has the appropriate equipment to respond in emergency situations.

Mr Bull said the State Government would contribute $40,000 from the Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) and $40,000 from the Boating Safety and Facilities program towards the vessel with the Mallacoota Coast Guard contributing $20,000.

Mallacoota Volunteer Coast Guard Commander, John Rudge, said members were delighted funding had been received to allow the flotilla to add the new vessel and tow vehicle to its emergency response capabilities.

“We are looking forward to our new fully-equipped vessel's presence so we can begin training and improve our ocean rescue capabilities,” Mr Rudge said.

Mr Bull said the Victorian Coalition Government is committed to providing our emergency services with the resources and equipment they need to keep Victorians safe and support stronger local communities.

Mr Bull said that the government had delivered $12.23 million for the 2014-15 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment program (VESEP).

“The VESEP is a partnership between the State Government and communities that allow emergency services volunteers to purchase the latest equipment that will support the ongoing protection of all Victorians.

“In recognition of the significant contribution made by emergency services, the government has invested more than $48 million in the VESEP program since 2010,” he said.

Minister for Ports, David Hodgett, said the Victorian Coalition Government is spending more than ever before on the Boating Safety and Facilities Program.  
 
“This record funding will allow even more local councils, agencies and community groups to undertake upgrades to jetties and boat ramps, as well as delivering navigational aids, signage and assistance for search and rescue groups.

“The extra funding and the establishment of the Recreational Boating Working Group is proof that the Napthine Government is identifying and funding ways to improve Victoria’s boating infrastructure.

Published in Media
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