An elected Liberal Nationals government will reinstate the Country Roads and Bridges program, providing approximately $1 million in grants to Victoria’s rural shires each year for four years, State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced today.

 

“The popular program was axed by Daniel Andrews in 2014, leaving councils struggling to meet the cost of maintaining local roads. This included both the East Gippsland and Wellington Shires,” Mr Bull said.

 

“Some of the council projects that are awaiting this funding in my electorate that it will address, include new bridges at Mount Taylor, Johnsonville and Dargo and reconstruction of Willis Avenue in Marlo, Soldiers Road at Lindenow, Birrells Road and Lake Victoria Road intersection and Moroney and McMillan Streets in Bairnsdale.

 

“The grants will help restore and rehabilitate council-maintained roads and bridges, which have deteriorated further since Labor scrapped the program.

 

“The Country Roads and Bridges Program will help give rural Victorians the safe and reliable infrastructure they deserve.

 

“Our local roads and infrastructure are the critical link for parents taking the kids to school, for freight operators bringing goods and services into our towns and for the jobs that keep our communities moving.

 

“Restoring this program will be a shot in the arm for East Gippsland and Wellington Shires and make our communities, like Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance and Mallacoota more liveable and support jobs in our region.”

 

Leader of the Nationals, Peter Walsh, said while Daniel Andrews is reducing speed limits on country roads, the Nationals have a plan for the safe, reliable infrastructure regional and rural Victorians deserve.

 

“If you fix country roads, you save country lives – and that’s exactly what this program will do,” he said.

 

Caption: Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, inspects the Boyds Road Bridge at Mount Taylor, which could be replaced by East Gippsland Shire thanks to the Country Roads and Bridges Program, if the Liberal Nationals are elected in November.

 

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

A timeframe on when operational and capital works issues will be addressed at Omeo Early Childhood Development Centre has been sought in State Parliament by Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

 

While the facility opened at the start of the year, Mr Bull said concerned parents were disappointed with what they say has been a complete lack of consultation and communication from above on the works that were required for completion.

 

“There are strong concerns this is now interfering with the services provided at this centre,” Mr Bull said.

 

“Most critically, I have been informed the operator, UnitingCare Gippsland, is still waiting on the finalisation of its funding and service agreement with the Department of Education and Training,” he told Parliament.

 

“I am told the centre would not have opened if it were not for three parents and one community member, who spent the day before resumption of kinder mowing, whipper-snipping and clearing lawn clippings.”

 

Mr Bull said the new building was also incomplete, with landscaping works required on top of small, but important, structural jobs staff had identified.

 

“Early childhood educators should not be burdened with these distractions, as they need to concentrate on their important work.

 

“Concerns reported to me suggest there has been complete lack of transparency and accountability towards the project, with this ultimately affecting the education and care of children who attend this facility.

 

“While parents have raised these matters with the powers above, I understand they cannot get answers when this work will be attended to, which is the reason why I am seeking a timeframe on when this will be completed,” he said.

 

Friday, April 6, 2018

Support for the proposed mountain bike park development in Omeo was recognised in State Parliament last week, with Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, tabling a petition urging the Government to fund the project.

 

“It is pleasing to have 385 locals sign their name in support of this proposal,” Mr Bull said.

 

“It is clearly something the community wants and thinks will be of benefit to the town and its surrounds.

 

“I know the Minister has been made aware of this project and this is why I recently urged him in Parliament to give it strong consideration for funding in next month’s State Budget.

 

“This will promote East Gippsland, and the Omeo region in particular, as an all-year-round tourist location, so this it warrants strong consideration as far as I’m concerned.

 

“On top of visitors, there has been a significant number of local cyclists who have signalled their intention of riding at this attraction.

 

“We can also expect to see a number of construction and ongoing jobs created by the development of such a proposal so I urge the Minister now to strongly consider the petition that has been presented to the Parliament and include funding in the upcoming budget.”

 

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, in State Parliament last week before tabling a petition containing 385 signatories in support of the proposed Omeo mountain bike park development.

 

Thursday, April 5, 2018

The service of John Armit to the Omeo and Tambo Valley communities will be remembered forever, following today’s official naming of an avenue of trees in memory of the late Bindi resident.

 

Having last year made representations to both East Gippsland Shire Council and VicRoads about the matter, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said he was pleased to see the idea come to fruition.

 

“Mr Armit was a very highly respected member of the community and well-known for his work, along with his late wife Anne, in funding, planting, establishing and maintaining these trees, located between Swifts Creek and Bald Hills Creek Bridge,” Mr Bull said.

 

“After the suggestion was made to me to support the formal recognition of him along this stretch of road, it is great to see this has now occurred.

 

“What is also pleasing is the cooperation between East Gippsland Shire Council and VicRoads in making this happen.

 

“This is a fantastic tribute to a great man,” Mr Bull said.

 

A joint winner of the 2013 East Gippsland Citizen of the Year award, Mr Armit also served on many local committees, including Swifts Creek Racing Club, Omeo Show and Swifts Creek Pony Club.

 

“There aren’t many who can say they have done what John Armit has achieved, which is why it is important he is recognised to this extent,” Mr Bull said.

 

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, at the official unveiling of the Avenue of Trees named in memory of the late John Armit, alongside East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Joe Rettino, and Mr Armit’s children Sally, Penny and Bill.

 

Tuesday, April 3, 2017

A community-led push to develop a drug and alcohol centre on the outskirts of Bairnsdale was strongly supported in State Parliament by Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, last week.

 

“I have been involved in several ‘good faith’ discussions with the Mental Health Minister about the Hope Restart Centre proposal and I am hopeful of achieving State support, as is the community,” Mr Bull told Parliament.

 

The call for funding follows the launch of the Gippsland-wide fundraising campaign Mr Bull attended last week, where he was joined by community leaders, Hope board members and representatives from Odyssey House, including its chief executive officer, Dr Stefan Gruenert.

 

Federal Nationals Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, was also in attendance, with the Commonwealth pledging $3 million towards the $7.5m project, along with local Mayor, Joe Rettino, with East Gippsland Shire Council having already granted a building permit.

 

Mr Bull said Odyssey House could well operate the facility, with a vocational training option being strongly considered.

 

“Last week’s fundraising launch was for community contributions and it was pleasing to see some strong pledges made on the night.

 

“The insights provided by Dr Gruenert were terrific. They spoke of how these facilities are great contributors to the communities in which they exist in a number of ways.”

 

Mr Bull also used his time in the chamber to acknowledge the work of those behind the project.

 

“The amount of work completed by the board, particularly members Peter and Margaret Down, John Glynn and Richard Rijs, is quite amazing and they are to be congratulated on their achievements to date,” he said.

 

 

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

With negotiations underway for the relocation of Bairnsdale Fire Station, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has again asked for funding to build the new facility.

 

Mr Bull told Parliament last week the new building, to be located near the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, should be funded in May’s State Budget after a parcel of land was secured earlier this year.

 

"Being more than 90 years old, the station is well outdated and has a number of associated occupational health and safety issues due to its location on the Princes Highway,” he said.

 

"With the Budget just around the corner, this funding should be provided by the Andrews Labor Government."

 

Mr Bull said despite the announcement the land had been secured, local volunteer firefighters had recently become concerned negotiations had reached a stalemate.

 

“Members contacted me saying they were concerned the proposed relocation had stalled, but after raising this with the CFA directly, I have been advised licence agreements are actually ‘well advanced’,” he said.

 

“This restores confidence within local brigade ranks and I now call on the Andrews Labor Government to commit to funding this relocation in its entirety.

 

“Firefighters have experienced some tough times caused by this Government in recent years and the least it can do for these volunteers is provide the funding required,” Mr Bull said.

 

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, will be running a close eye over this May’s State Budget, looking for funding to relocate the Bairnsdale Fire Station.

 

Monday, April 2, 2018