After three and a half years of inaction, the Andrews Labor Government has failed to provide a timeframe for when the Sydenham Inlet Road fire break will be completed.
This is despite the project being listed as the highest Strategic Fuel Break priority for Gippsland in the Forest Fire Management Victoria’s Strategic Fuel Break Program 2022-2025.
Gippsland East Nationals’ MP, Tim Bull, said the Sydenham Inlet Road fire break is crucial for the protection of the community, with the road being the only access in and out of the town.
“A strategic fuel break is Bemm River’s first line of defence and contributes to the overall fire resilience of the town,” Mr Bull said.
“We don’t want a repeat of the Black Summer Bushfires where inadequate roadside vegetation management closed roads to both Cann River and Mallacoota when large trees fell across the road, blocking access to both towns.”
Mr Bull said, there is confusion surrounding the responsibility of which entity will pick up the tab for maintenance once it is created. He has been asked by East Gippsland Shire Council to seek an understanding of the financial responsibility of the fire mitigation works, which he believes should not be passed on to ratepayers.
“As the road is managed by East Gippsland Shire Council, but the forest management is the responsibility of the State, I asked the Minister for Environment to clarify which entity is responsible for the ongoing maintenance,” Mr Bull said.
“Alarmingly, the Minister refused to answer my question. Instead, she remarked the establishment of this potentially lifesaving fire break, ‘will be considered for future programs’.
“This sounds to me like the Government, not only has no plan to undertake any works before this summer, but that it needs to consider if the project is worthy of implementation.
“With the Minister’s non-committal response and the lack of action currently underway, I am concerned about the project moving forward before this summer.
“For the safety of the community, this project must be prioritised, and I have called on the Minister to work with EGSC, and just get the fire break done.”
Caption: Local MP, Tim Bull, pictured on Sydenham Inlet Road near Bemm River, where a firebreak is needed to create fuel breaks and buffer zones to protect the community against the threat of bushfire.

Monday, 7 August 2023

A re-opening of the domestic firewood collection season has been requested by Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

He has written to the Minister outlining the present shortage of firewood supply, for many in our community, their sole source of heating this winter.

Mr Bull said there was a range of factors causing the shortage, the most profound being the cessation of the timber industry due to legal action.

“This has restricted access to commercial supplies for the many residents who rely on these providers. As a result, commercial operators who can get access to timber are doing so through other avenues, with a number obtaining supply from New South Wales. Our commercial contractors need more support,” Mr Bull said.

“This has driven up costs considerably, putting the resource financially out of reach for even those who can access a supply.

“With many senior residents relying on solid fuel heating, we are hearing of an increasing number of cases where they are shivering through the nights due to firewood either not being accessible at all or being too costly to purchase.

“For those who have an alternate power heating source, electricity prices are making it unaffordable, so pensioners and low-income households are not using this alternative.

“Public firewood collection is closed in winter seasonally due to concerns over damage being caused, but this year has been unseasonably dry in East Gippsland and re-opening the season would provide a solution for many in this predicament.”

Mr Bull said there was precedent for this as seasons have been extended in the past in dry winter periods.

Caption: State Nationals MP, Tim Bull, with firewood contractor Pam Beveridge, is calling for the re-opening of the domestic firewood collection season, to address the supply issues currently encountered due to the closure of Victoria’s Native Timber industry.

Monday, 7 August 2023

The Marlo to Cape Conran shared path, to be delivered through the bushfire recovery funding announced in 2020, is not even at design stage, according to the Minister for Environment, Ingrid Stitt.
Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, is disappointed this project, like so many in the Marlo and Cape Conran region, has not been given the priority status it deserves to support tourism in this beautiful area.
“In 2020, I supported the investment of the Marlo to Cape Conran share bicycle and pedestrian pathway and I have been eagerly awaiting its delivery,” Mr Bull said.
“As it is now August, three years down the track, and I see no visible progression of the pathway’s construction, I sought an update of the project from the Minister, seeking a completion date for the project.
“I was shocked to be informed the project has not progressed at all and remains at the preliminary design and planning stage.
“This is typical of the Andrews Labor Government. Its treatment of critical projects in East Gippsland has been absolutely disgraceful.
“The large-scale bushfire recovery projects at Cape Conran all sit at a standstill. The East Cape Boardwalk is not finished, the cabins are not ready for visitors and this new and exciting link between Marlo and Cape Conran, is not even planned.
“We deserve better. We’ve been smashed by the bushfires, tourism halted due to the pandemic, and most recently, the closure of the timber industry.
“If communities like Orbost are expected to transition from being a timber industry reliant economy to tourism, we need the actual tourism infrastructure available to have any chance of survival.
“The Minister must prioritise these projects like it does for urban greenspace parklands in Melbourne, because if she did, the shared pathway will be delivered in no time,” said Mr Bull.
Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is disappointed the Marlo to Cape Conran shared pathway has not progressed beyond design stage, three years after the project was funded.

Monday, 14 August, 2023

The fourth round of the $250 Power Saving Bonus is almost over, with applications closing on the 31st of August.
Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is encouraging those who have not yet applied for the current round to do so before time runs out.
“People are struggling at the moment, bills are skyrocketing, and the cost-of-living is through the roof,” Mr Bull said.
“I would encourage everyone who hasn’t already applied for this round of funding to get in now while you still can.
“If you need a hand with your online application, the team at my office will be able to help you out.”
The current round has been open since late March.
If you would like assistance applying for the Power Saving Bonus, feel free to visit the electorate office at 143 Main Street, Bairnsdale.
A full copy of a recent power bill is required to apply.

Monday, 14 August, 2023

Daniel Andrews’ decision to ban gas connections to new homes from next year is a decision not backed up by rational thinking, says Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

“When you look at some key data, the decision is premature and appears to have been made due to inner city pressure,” Mr Bull said.

“Emissions wise, using electricity in Victoria is five times more carbon intensive than using gas in your home, so it is counter to their objective of reducing emissions and cost wise, residential electricity in Victoria is currently more than double the price as gas on a per unit of energy basis.

“On top of this, the Essential Services Commission revealed 67,413 residential customers required electricity bill assistance in March, the highest number since the relief scheme began in 2019 and we are taking away an option for new home buyers that is presently cheaper and creates less emissions.

“Gas will continue to be part of our energy mix for some time and removing it as an option for new home builds takes away choice.
“With electricity prices going through the roof thanks to Labor’s mismanagement, the Government’s claims of bill savings by forcing people on to electricity alone just cannot be believed given, electricity is much dearer now,” said Mr Bull, who commented his office had received a number of complaints.
“There is also the prospect of a longer-term switch to hydrogen. Countries are currently trialling that switch, so why would we remove the option to have gas reticulation in homes beyond next year.”
Mr Bull said the government is also hypocritical as it keeps telling Victorians gas is running out and the prices are increasing, but then they have prohibitions on gas exploration and production.
“Labor needs to stop pandering to the Greens and take a measured and sensible approach to transition that doesn’t lock us into one technology or another.”

Friday, 4 August 2023