With the announcement in the past two days that the State Government will spend $34 million in the west of the state on tourism infrastructure, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said East Gippsland can expect a massive boost announced this week.

“Given the west of the state never lost it’s summer tourism season to fires, I would be anticipating the Government will be announcing significantly more for this region,” he said.

“The focus of any funding needs to be on new infrastructure, projects like the Bullock Island upgrade at Lakes Entrance and the Slip Road (Squatter’s Row) redevelopment at Paynesville – developments that will either provide a tourist attraction or make the experience more friendly.

“Our money should not be going into rebuilds of existing infrastructure destroyed in the fires – that should be done anyway. To spend it on rebuilding what was burned is short changing the region.

“The government has been presented with a range of projects that will be game changers for our area and the two above and just two of many that could benefit our area.

“Bullock Island, for example, could become a jewel in the crown of the region rather than an eye sore as you drive down Jemmy’s Point.

“After years of work between agencies and sorting our ownership of the land, we now finally have a detailed plan to bring this area into a modern tourist friendly location and the funds should be made available to finish these works.

“I would be expecting it will be somewhere near the top of the list,” said Mr Bull.

Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, on Bullock Island, an area that will benefit from investment and development, making the most of the natural beauty of the island.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) offices in rural areas should now be open.

“Here we are entering holiday season, people wanting to book campsites, check if roads are open, renew fishing and hunting licences, discuss pest control and obtain general information, but the doors remain shut.

“Other departmental offices are open, retail is open, cafes are open, but DELWP offices are not – it is a disgrace,” he told Parliament last week.

“I am not having a go at the staff, I direct this to the Government. These people are public servants – they are meant to serve the public, but the word is there is no intention to open them before Christmas.

“The DELWP office in Bairnsdale would be bustling at this time of year as it is home to Forest Fire Management, the Catchment Management Authority, Parks Victoria and Department of Agriculture.

“Country people - and most visitors for that matter - also like to speak to a person face to face, who can help them with their enquiry.

“As we enter peak holiday season, these offices should be open. We haven’t had a COVID case for months, so there is no reason for them not to be open.

“The Minister needs to lift her game and make sure these offices are open. The government was quick to say they would help us recover from fires and COVID and something as simple as being accessible to the public in a tourist area is a no brainer,” Mr Bull said.

Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, standing in an empty DELWP Bairnsdale carpark, which ordinarily would be filled with cars this time of year.

Monday, November 16, 2020

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said the announcement by the Minister today that irrigators will have first rights to only two gigalitres - of a six gigalitre Mitchell River winter flow allocation to be released - is not what they were promised.

“We have known for some time that there was six gigalitres of winter flow available to be allocated and the understanding has always been across previous governments that when this was released, the irrigators would have first opportunity to secure as much of this right as they sought.

“I have no issue over Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation receiving an allocation, my concern sits with the irrigators only having first option on just two gigalitres, rather than the six they have been anticipating,” said Mr Bull.

“What has not been made clear by the Minister, but I have since had confirmed, is that in the two gigalitres that will be released to the market soon will be part of an auction process for irrigators only; however the remaining two gigalitres to be released next year will not be confined to irrigators only, but for the highest bidder in the wider marketplace.

“The intention all along has been the irrigators would have first access and then any surplus will go to the open market – this was a stance I supported - but the Minister seems to have abandoned this.

“What I would have liked to have seen was the full balance of the allocation outside what has been made available to GLaWAC to have been first offered to irrigators before any remaining allocation was to be offered to the open market,” said Mr Bull.

Friday, November 13, 2020

Farmers, hunters, fishers and those who live in rural communities should be aware the Victorian Government is seeking feedback on a new animal welfare act, says Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

The new Act would replace the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act) and submissions are being received until December 14.

“While we all want to see sensible improvements to animal welfare - not one person would argue against that – it needs to be reasonable and workable.

“What I would not like to see is more protections for those activists who illegally invade farms, unnecessary restrictions on our hunting fraternity, or measures that impact on farmers going about their business.

“We have recently had situations where the Greens and Animal Justice Party have voted with the Government on contentious Bills to get them over the line in the Upper House, including the unpopular CFA reforms.

“This would not be going without return favours and Animal Justice MP, Andy Meddick has in the past championed those who have been involved in farm invasions.

“Rural communities need to be aware this Act is being revisited, changes will be made and they need to be having their say.

“It is important that East Gippsland farmers and those who work in animal-based industries take this opportunity to protect both their animals and their livelihoods from the agenda of the Animal Justice Party,” said Mr Bull.

Information on the new Act and feedback can be provided by completing a survey or making a submission at engage.vic.gov.au

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, says rural communities need to be aware a new animal welfare act is being prepared and currently receiving submissions.

Monday, November 9, 2020

The Andrews Labor Government’s Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans program is shaping up to be a complete failure because of the penny-pinching way it is being administered and Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has this week asked in parliament for an explanation.

“Reliable sources have told me that the Victorian government has approved just over 9% of the bushfire concessional loan applications that have been submitted to it so far, said Mr Bull.

“But in other States, up to 80% of applications have been approved.

“It appears that the government’s lending agency, Rural Finance, is being unreasonably risk averse in comparison to other jurisdictions and in some cases is even ignoring its own guidelines regarding what it terms ‘adequate security’.

“Other criticisms that have been reported include that there has been no allowance made for the impact of drought on the applicant’s previous three years income results. For most applicants, these drought years have been the toughest in living memory.

“With the improved seasonal conditions, we are experiencing in East Gippsland they are now viably positioned for a successful recovery, but Rural Finance remains stubbornly wedded to its crushing rules.

“These concessional loans are supposed to assist primary producers, who have endured three years of drought and then been hammered by the bushfires, to quickly get back on their feet.

“From its record to date, the Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans program appears to be doing nothing of the sort.

“I have asked the government to make full disclosure of its operation so that we can have some level of confidence that it is operating under nationally consistent terms and eligibility criteria,” said Mr Bull.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, says Rural Finance must be more understanding with Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loan applications, understanding the figures of recent years that are being used for assessment were drought years and current seasonal conditions are much better. He says some East Gippsland locations have had just 9% of all applicants to date, when NSW locations have had 80% approval rates.

Monday, November 2, 2020