Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said he was pleased some projects he had strongly advocated for bushfire fund support had been successful in the latest round of grants, but questioned why some of the other ‘no brainer’ projects missed out.
“I wrote letters of support and advocated strongly for a number of these projects, including the Mallacoota Abalone Cooperative, Slipway redevelopment at Lakes Entrance, Buchan and Bruthen streetscape enhancements and the Metung Hot Springs proposal and it is terrific they were funded.
“However, we were banking on getting other key tourist projects supported like the East Gippsland Rail Trail upgrade and the Paynesville-Raymond Island Koala project. I also strongly supported the e-vehicle recharging stations at Mallacoota, Cann River, Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale, as put forth by the shire.”
Mr Bull said there was still more bushfire funds to be distributed and while there was a cap of
$2 million for the next round, was hopeful these projects would be supported.
“Of more importance, I just want to make sure we get our fair share of the pie as the most fire impacted local government area community in Victoria and quite possibly the country.”
Projects funded under the Regional Economic Stimulus and Resilience Grants program were:
• $3 million to help rebuild the Mallacoota Abalone processing facility, which was impacted by fire
• $2.8 million to revitalise and improve the Buchan streetscape
• $2.35 million for Sailors Grave Brewing to develop agri-tourism through relocation and expansion
• $1.5 million to support the first stage of the Metung Hot Springs tourism development
• $1 million to enhance the Bruthen streetscape
• $850,000 for Envite Environment to create trainee opportunities for young Aboriginal people to pursue careers in natural resource management
• $562,000 for the redevelopment of the iconic Old Slipway in Lakes Entrance.
• $400,000 for Tambo Valley Honey to develop an agri-tourism experience and destination honey shop
• $267,000 for Destination Gippsland to develop tourism through a Gippsland Dark Skies Visitor Trail
• $190,000 to help redevelop and expand the Riviera Nautic jetty infrastructure.
Caption: Mallacoota Abalone Cooperative is one of the projects that has attracted bushfire recovery funding through the Regional Economic Stimulus and Resilience Grant. Pictured is National MP’s Tim Bull (Member for Gippsland East), Peter Walsh (State Leader of the Nationals), Melina Bath (Member for Eastern Victoria Region) with Mark Touzeau, from Mallacoota Abalone Cooperative, when the MP’s visited the facility last year.
Monday, February 8, 2020
