Bushfire recovery kits commenced distribution into East Gippsland today after being generously sponsored by individuals, business and community organisations. The Bushfire Recovery Kits contain replacement equipment to assist East Gippsland bushfire victims who lost their homes and sheds during summer. The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath and Andrew Graham of H Hardware…
Firewood collection areas and limits must be reviewed in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina said she has called on the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio to review and loosen firewood restrictions on behalf of Gippslanders. “Many Gippsland households are dependent on wood…
Local media outlets have never been more important and deserve support from State and Federal Governments. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien has welcomed a Federal Government commitment amounting to more than $91 million to help Australian media companies survive through the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The package will assist both TV and…
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath is encouraging Gippslanders to give blood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms Bath said blood donations have been declared an essential service throughout Australia during the pandemic. “Despite the pandemic, it is important we continue to support the Australian Red Cross and meet the demand for blood…
Minister for Environment, Lily D’Ambrosio has failed to answer a question in State Parliament on whether she will support the uncompleted roadside clearing on the Princes Highway East. Nationals State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, asked the Minister the following question on February 6: As a result of the recent bushfires in…
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said Gippsland businesses are already suffering the effects of the coronavirus crisis and need state government support now. Mr O’Brien said the Liberal and Nationals Opposition has this week pressed the Government in Parliament daily on the need for a state-based stimulus or business support program.…
Bush users have been left hanging by the Andrews Labor Government as it continues to delay its response to a report that recommended locking up state forests in national parks. The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council’s (VEAC) Central West investigation recommended locking up more than 77,000 hectares of forest at Mount Cole, Wombat and Wellsford state…
Native roadside vegetation laws must be lifted to allow farmers to utilise rural roadsides. Shadow Assistant Minister for Public Land and The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath is calling for vegetation protection laws which prevent roadside grazing to be lifted. Ms Bath said when fodder for stock is limited and fuel reduction…
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, is encouraging young Gippsland farmers to apply for a spot on the Young Farmers Advisory Council. Mr O’Brien said applications were welcome from young people (under 35) in the agriculture sector with experience in farm management, agribusiness, finance, education, international markets and regional development. “The…
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, has raised concerns in State Parliament about the double standards that apply to wind farm planning in Victoria, to the detriment of communities in Gippsland. Speaking in Parliament last week, Mr O’Brien highlighted that under Labor Government planning guidelines, wind farms were specifically excluded from certain areas…
No end to VLine’s poor performance The crisis in VLine has hit rock bottom. February performance data for the VLine network reveals a worsening trend of unreliable and late trains. Every short distance service – Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour and Gippsland lines – failed to meet reliability and punctuality targets. Four of the six long…
Logging contractors have had a rare win with the announcement that they will be paid by Vic Forests in line with both their contractual obligations and the Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Act 2005. “The impetus for this came from timber industry businesses that were being threatened with penalties under a new State law that…