Applications are now open for the Men's Shed Funding Program 2023-24, providing grants of up to $100,000.
Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said Men’s Sheds are vital community hubs and encourages not-for-profit groups to make an application.
“These facilities create safe and inclusive spaces where men can come together, foster social connections, and actively participate in their communities,” Mr Bull said.
“Visiting the Men’s Sheds across the electorate, I have seen firsthand the great benefit they provide to not only their members, but also to the broader community.
“I am also well aware that many groups have changing circumstances, are looking to expand or require urgent repairs to facilitate their programs.
Funding can be used for the construction of new sheds, including the conversion of non-shed buildings into welcoming spaces, refurbishments, extensions, or upgrades.
The grant program also encourages projects that:
• Target a reduction in social isolation among men by offering workshop-based male-only environments on some days
• Support the inclusion of women on some days
• Foster a culturally inclusive atmosphere and encourage multicultural participation
• Demonstrate significant value to the social fabric of the local community in proportion to the funds invested.
“There’s tremendous work being done in Men’s Sheds across the region. They are important pillars in our community, actively contributing to men's health, fostering social inclusion, and facilitating vital connections.
“This funding round is a fantastic opportunity to do that or to foster new and improved programs that will benefit our community,” Mr Bull said.
Applications close December 8, 2023. For more information or to apply, please visit: www.vic.gov.au/mens-shed-funding-program
Caption: Nationals MP for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, pictured with members of the Bemm River and Bairnsdale Men’s Sheds, is encouraging local groups to apply for grants of up to $100,000.

A push has commenced for the installation of a permanent disability hoist in Lakes Entrance to support boating recreation for those with a disability.

Gippsland East Nationals MP and Shadow Minister for Disability, Tim Bull, said such a facility was overdue in a tourist town like Lakes Entrance.

“I was recently approached by a disability service provider who has a local wheelchair bound client whose passions are boating and fishing. However, without a hoist in the town, it was problematic.

“Lakes Entrance relies heavily on its booming tourism industry, and it needs to be an attractive destination for all.”

Mr Bull said he had approached both Better Boating Victoria and East Gippsland Shire and was hopeful and optimistic the hoist would be installed in the not-too-distant future.

“I think one of the boat ramps in North Arm would be the ideal location as it would be best located in a launching area for obvious reasons,” he said.

Caption: Nationals MP for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, pictured at North Arm, where a boating disability hoist is needed to improve on-water access for those with a disability.

Monday, 9 October 2023

Concerns over confusing bushfire warning messages was taken up by Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, who is seeking improvements in communications before summer.

“There was considerable confusion on Sunday last week, when warnings with very different advice were received in short proximity,” he said.

At 1.31pm on October 1, an emergency warning was issued for Loch Sport, which stated, “Shelter indoors now. You are in danger, act now to protect yourself. It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.”

However, at 1.38pm, seven minutes later, a new alert was issued for Loch Sport which stated, “Leave Now. Don't wait - if you are not prepared to stay, leaving now is the safest option.”

“You really could not get two more contradictory messages so close together and, while I am full of praise for our firefighters, we cannot have this confusing messaging being put out to the public from Emergency Management Victorian (EMV) head office in what can literally be a matter of life and death.

Mr Bull said Finding 6.3 in the Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM) inquiry following the 2019/20 fires was “The community received mixed messages around staying or leaving following the Code Red declaration and as a result they were not clear on evacuation requirements” and it recommended this be addressed.

“Another matter I raised in Parliament last week that I want to see addressed is around the Victorian Fire Rating system classifications.

“On September 19, the temperature exceeded 35 degrees in East Gippsland with hot northerly winds and, by the middle of the day, fires raged in the landscape on the Victorian / NSW border.

“In NSW the fire danger rating was listed as ‘catastrophic’ – the highest rating that can be given, but over the line of the Victorian border, there was no public fire rating at all.

“People rightfully asked, how can it be catastrophic in one state and just over the border with the exact same temperature and strong wind, there is no rating.

“On making enquiry, I was astounded to be told the difference was the contract arrangements between the Weather Bureau and Emergency Management Victoria with the Bureau not contracted to assessing this rating until October in Victoria, but NSW has an arrangement that kicks in earlier.

“It is a matter I want addressed for future fire seasons,” he said.

Caption: Nationals State MP, Tim Bull, says it is imperative the emergency warning communication messages and is calling on the Government must be improved before this summer.

Photo: The Loch Sport firegrounds. (Photo Credit: Karen Fraser)

Labor’s Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes, has in effect this week admitted that Gippsland is not prepared for the upcoming season and the State Government has left us vulnerable.

Despite the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission (VBRC) recommending an annual five per cent burn target, the Minister conceded in Parliament this week the entire Gippsland region had only 100,000ha fuel reduction treated in the past three years.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, who put on the record months ago State Government policy had again left us vulnerable, said the VBRC stated:

The Commission proposes that the State make a commitment to fund a long-term program of prescribed burning, with an annual rolling target of a minimum of five per cent of public land each year, and that the State be held accountable for meeting this target. DSE (now DEECA) should modify its Code of Practice for Fire management on Public Land so that it is clear that protecting human life is given highest priority, and should report annually on prescribed-burning outcomes.

“Given Gippsland has 1.6 million hectares of public land, this means we should be burning 80,000ha per year, but this government has only burned 100,000ha in three years.

“This is what has left us vulnerable, you can only ever see one outcome from this, when hot weather and lightning storms arrive.

“There are three elements of the fire triangle – fuel, oxygen and ignition – and we can only control one of those, fuel. Hence, when you allow the fuel loads to get out of control, it can only end one way, there are no other options,” he said.

“The warming climate will become more of an issue in the years to come, so it could be argued you need an even higher level of protection, but we are doing less.

“Why would you have a Bushfires Royal Commission and then ignore their recommendations around safety?

“In addition to lack of burning, the government has overseen a reduction of 6,500 operational CFA volunteers since 2015 and is removing the timber industry, our first defence in times of fire,” Mr Bull said.

Thursday, 5 October 2023

Caption: State Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, says the five per cent burn target recommended by the Bushfires Royal Commission is not being met, leaving Gippsland residents vulnerable to wildfire threat.

The State Labor Government has misled the East Gippsland community in relation to a new mental health hub being open in Bairnsdale.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said the government issued a media release (that was reported on locally) on September 6 saying the new mental health and wellbeing centre promised for Bairnsdale was “officially open”, when in fact it isn’t.

“Knowing it was a service I have been advocating for, a number of enquiries were made to my office from constituents seeking information about its location. It has only been this week we have been able to receive an answer from the government that the service won’t be operational at least until December.

“Given the government will not correct its statement, I simply wanted the people of East Gippsland to know it is still some months away,” said Mr Bull.

“Having raised the need for additional services with outreach capacity since the bushfires nearly four years ago, I was pleased we received a commitment to have two hubs established in this region at Bairnsdale and Orbost.

“They were meant to be in place by ‘mid 2023’ but were delayed and hence I was pleasantly surprised to read the state-wide media release that the Bairnsdale facility was open - the only problem being no-one could find it!

“This week the government came clean that we are still some months away, with a procurement process currently being negotiated to select a service provider.

“The Minister also said, ‘outcomes of this procurement process are anticipated to be announced later this year with initial service commencement expected in December 2023’.

“This timeline, which I received Thursday, only allows 11 weeks for all this to happen before Christmas and, while I am hopeful the government can meet this date, I have grave doubts given their track record.

“I cannot see how they have not yet arrived at determining a service provider and expect to be operational that soon. However, the important factor here is that things are advancing and the new services both here and at Orbost should be operational before too long,” Mr Bull said.

Monday, 2 October 2023