Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has asked the Minister for Roads and Road Safety to review the speed limit signage adjacent to the Bruthen Primary School.

Parents of students at the school have requested signage upgrades to make the speed limits more apparent to motorists passing through the area.

“This is an issue that has been raised before by the school community,” said Mr Bull.

“The issue is it seems the current signage is just not being seen by motorists and there is an opportunity to have it upgraded, so motorist can’t miss it.

“You will see around other areas where school zone speed limits exist, the vast majority of motorists are keen to do the right thing, but the feedback is that in this particular location, the signage is not prominent enough to be seen.

“On behalf of the school community, I have asked the Minister to have a look at this area specifically and would hope we will not only see it reviewed, but some positive action being taken.

“There is no more important issue that road safety and when we have students getting in and out of cars and drop off and pick up time, that is when we need to be most vigilant,” he said.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, outside the Bruthen Primary School, where he is seeking more prominent speed limit signage on behalf of the school community.

Monday, 6 June 2022

The Victorian Government has confirmed that it plans to eradicate our brumby population, a move strongly opposed by Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

Under questioning in a recent Parliamentary committee hearing, the government admitted that 400 of the estimated 500 brumbies at Barmah Forest will be shot, commented its plan is to eradicate the entire Barmah population “over the forward years” and admitted to similar plans for the Alpine National Park brumby population.

“The clear feedback I have had from my community is that while brumby numbers need to be controlled, the government’s estimate of numbers is inflated and shooting these wild horses is not the answer. I agree entirely, I think it’s a disgrace,” Mr Bull said.

“What is equally disturbing is Departmental tender documents, which implement the eradication plan, further highlight the gruesome strategy adopted by Labor.

“The tender calls for the use of dogs to hunt the horses, that contractors will need to supply chainsaws, and hunted horse carcasses must be cut up and removed from view.”

Mr Bull said there are businesses in East Gippsland that promote brumby sightseeing tours and they bring artists and photographers to our region – they are an attraction.

“Our tourism businesses have suffered enough over recent years without the government coming in and shooting one of our spectacles.

“The Australian brumby population also has a strong connection to our heritage. On top of the Man from Snowy River connection, these horses carry the Waler blood of the Australian Light Horse that carried our soldiers into battle in WWI.

“The eradication plan is horrific in how they intend to do it. It is an inner-city driven assault on our history and culture. There are better and more humane ways to control numbers if it is required, but the first thing to do is properly assess numbers.

“I’ve been advised they achieved the figure they did by surveying some areas, then extrapolating the figure out. The problem is, you don’t do a population count of Victoria by counting numbers in the city and extrapolating it out over the entire area of the state.

“If we do need to control numbers, we should be looking at capture and rehoming and fertility controls, which are used in the United States with the wild mustang population – not eradication and certainly not eradication by shooting,” he said.

Caption: A brumby family local to the Barmah Forest, photographed by Felicity Clay.

Monday, 6 June 2022

Tenders for the new Cape Conran boat ramp were issued last week and work should commence by late June / early August, according to Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.
“Last week I was joined on site with the Minister for Fishing and Boating, Melissa Horne, who came to inspect the existing boat ramp and receive a first-hand view of the works to be completed.
“I discussed the need for this to be completed before the Christmas school holidays and that is certainly the expectation,” said Mr Bull.
“Locals who want to keep track of the works later this year, should be able to do so via the livestream camera at Cape Conran.
“The ramp will be out of action for the general public for some time, but the end result will be a good one, in that it will improve the area considerably.”
Minor improvement works are also being planned for the boat ramp in Marlo adjacent to the main jetty.
“The small platform that runs from the jetty to the ramp will be replaced as it is falling into disrepair,” said Mr Bull.
“On top of this, it was also pleasing to hear the first of the new cabins has arrived at Cape Conran Coastal Park. I am advised there will be 11 new cabins, but still await the fate of the five that survived the fire.
“We were initially told all of these would remain, but I am now hearing only the large lodge will be retained.
“If there are plans to destroy the other four, for seemingly no good reason, the community needs an explanation and this is what I am seeking,” said Mr Bull.
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull and Minister for Fishing and Boating, Melissa Horne at the Cape Conran boat ramp.

Monday, 6 June 2022