Gippsland Vehicle Collection in Maffra is in urgent need of State Government support to replace the dilapidated roof over the complex, which threatens its operations.

Nationals Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, who has regularly visited the site, said the members had made it very clear “crunch time was approaching”.

“Both the committee and I have made approaches to Minister Dimopoulos as this is one of the town’s premier tourist attractions.

“It seems this government can always find money for major city attractions, but when it comes to supporting these smaller community-based projects there is scant support,” said Mr Bull.

“What makes this one different is the local committee has raised just on $400,000, which is an incredible effort in itself, towards a total cost of $1.2 million.

“It also has the capacity to secure a loan, but needs a cash injection from the State,” said Mr Bull.

“Wellington Shire completed an economic benefit study that showed this facility brings in $2.753 million per annum to the region. If the facility is forced to close because the roof collapses, that money will be lost to the area.

“This entity is run by a dedicated band of volunteers, and I would hope Minister Dimopoulos will recognise this and reward them with the outcome they deserve.”

Caption: The roof of the Maffra Vehicle Collection needs replacing. Both the committee and local MP, Tim Bull, have written to the Minister seeking funding assistance. Mr Bull is pictured with committee member, Sue Lawrence, on a recent visit.

Monday, 14 July 2025

With work finally progressing on the Thurra River Bridge, Gippsland East Nationals’ MP, Tim Bull, is seeking confirmation both it and the adjacent Thurra River campground will be open for the summer school holidays.

“It is an absolute disgrace that this structure has taken five years to rebuild and the incompetence that has been shown is staggering, after the then Parks Victoria CEO, said four years ago it was a ‘project of high importance.’

“On a follow up question, he said the reason it was a priority was to restore access to ‘the island’. Trouble is there is no island, it is a bridge over a river to a campground, so in reality it was not a project of high importance at all as they did not know the first thing about it.

“Those familiar with the area know this bridge provides access to the Thurra River campground, the second biggest in the area and important to the economy of the Cann River community, as this is where campers purchase their bait, fuel and supplies.

“For five years this community, which was also heavily bushfire impacted, has not had the benefit of this income for any of the yearly school holiday periods.

“The campground itself still has vehicles and debris from the fire strewn across the landscape as there has been no access to retrieve these items since the fire. This will also need to be cleared up and the basic camp area infrastructure reinstated.

“The bridge also provides access to the iconic Point Hicks Lighthouse, which was the first part of the Australian mainland sighted by Captain Cook, so is an important part of our colonial history,” said Mr Bull.

Caption: Work on the Thurra River Bridge is progressing and Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull wants confirmation both it, and the Thurra River campground will be open this year.

Monday, 14 July 2025

The State Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, has been asked to provide a bus shelter at the stop outside Coles, Bairnsdale.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said this is one of the busiest stops in the town and it beggars belief Public Transport Victoria (PTV) recently moved the stop (which had shelter), around a hundred metres up the road and did not provide shelter, or seating.

“If it is raining, there is simply nowhere for people to get out of the weather, which is not ideal for anyone, but especially our senior citizens or families with young children.

“While it is not the biggest issue in the electorate, it is annoying that when a change like this is made, we have to accept lesser outcomes, remembering this is a government that touts it will ‘build back better’ – but they’ve certainly not done that on this occasion.”

Mr Bull said he is hopeful the new stop can be brought up to the standard of the previous location, just a short distance away.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has asked for shelter and seating to be provided at the relocated PTV bus stop near Coles Bairnsdale.

Monday, 7 July 2025

Mallacoota and Cann River P-12 Colleges now have new Victorian flags after a visit by local State Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

Mr Bull spent two days in the far east recently and dropped into both schools to present the flags and chat to students.

“At Mallacoota, it was for many a post-Parliament catch up after I met members of the senior school there as part of their recent Melbourne excursion, where we recapped some of the content we discussed when in the chambers.

“Students at the small Cann River school were on top of their game also, like Mallacoota, showing a good knowledge of the political system.

“One of the most pleasing things was to see both schools have a strong culture. The students are happy and confident and look out for each other and I think you get that a lot more in a country town than you do in a metropolitan environment,” he said.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals’ MP, Tim Bull, speaks with students at Cann River P-12 College, and recently met with Mallacoota students both in Parliament and at the school.

Monday, 7 July 2025

The popular Parks Victoria Junior Ranger program is not running any activities in the entire east of the State due to “ranger availability and capacity”.

Gippsland East Nationals’ MP, Tim Bull, said this was clearly a result of the Parks Victoria cuts to front line staff.

“There is a lot of time and effort going into making our region a winter tourism destination, including the amazing East Gippsland Winter Festival, that runs for a month and has an incredible level of volunteer contribution.

“A lot of time and effort goes into making our region a winter tourism destination, largely driven by the East Gippsland Winter Festival, a month-long event that showcases the community’s creativity and relies heavily on volunteer effort.

“But as we work through the recovery from the fires and Covid, which takes several years, Parks Victoria is cutting one of the more popular activities for children,” Mr Bull said.

“I have been contacted by parents who were looking forward to having their children participate in the program.

Disappointingly, the excuse Parks Victoria puts up is that it has a “reduced program due to ranger availability in the field” and the program is implemented only in the areas Parks has capacity to do so.

“This of course is not the fault of the Parks’ employees on the ground, it is a result of budget cuts to front line staff that removes the capacity for this to occur, and we all know the reason is that every dollar is being sucked into paying down state debt and the Suburban Rail Loop,” Mr Bull said.

“When you are paying $28 million per day in interest alone on your debt, this is the result. Labor cannot manage money, and families are paying the price."

Friday, 4 July 2025