The final 11.46-kilometre section of the East Gippsland Rail Trail between Simpsons Creek and Prestons Road has now been resurfaced and officially opened, completing the upgrade of the full 96-kilometre trail.

Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the works were an outstanding achievement for the small volunteer Committee of Management, who delivered the project on time and on budget, an outcome the government could well take notice of.

Mr Bull said the Regional Tourism Investment Fund grant concluded more than $5.5 million in upgrades to the trail since the Black Summer Bushfires.

“Out of disaster, the committee has renovated an asset that delivers significant economic and social benefits across the region.

“The Committee of Management engaged local contractors, used local materials and kept the funding in our region, which is exactly what we want to see.”

Mr Bull said the trail was now in the best condition it had ever been and would continue to grow as a major tourism asset for East Gippsland.

“The East Gippsland Rail Trail draws visitors to our towns, supports local businesses and encourages people to stay longer and explore more of what we have to offer,” he said.

Mr Bull noted the ongoing challenge of maintenance, with East Gippsland Shire Council contributing less than $600 annually despite the trail requiring a minimum of $600 per kilometre to maintain to current standards. In comparison, Wellington and Latrobe City Councils contribute a combined $1,200 per kilometre towards rail trail maintenance.

“With the trail now fully resurfaced, it’s vital that we secure the ongoing support needed to protect this investment,” Mr Bull said.

He encouraged locals and visitors to get out and enjoy the trail.

“Whether you want to ride the whole trail or just take on a popular section like Bairnsdale to Nicholson, now is the perfect time to experience it.”

Caption: State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, with East Gippsland Rail Trail Committee of Management at its official opening of the newly upgraded section east of Simpsons Creek.
Pictured L-R: Tim Bull MP, Michael Oxer (former EGRT Chair) and current committee members Frank McShane, Trish Fox, Gaynor Rettino and Al Campbell.

Monday, 1 December 2025

As the global campaign marking sixteen days of activism against gender-based violence has begun, Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull is urging the community to stand together to prevent harm and support change.

Running from November 25 to December 10, the campaign calls for collective community action to stop gender-based violence, which is predominantly perpetrated by men against women and girls and to challenge the attitudes that allow it to continue.

Mr Bull said the issue demands urgent attention, particularly in East Gippsland where breaches of family violence intervention orders now represent the region’s most commonly reported offence, rising by almost 19 per cent over the past year.

“Every woman has the right to feel safe, no matter where she is or what she is doing. Safety should never be conditional,” Mr Bull said.

“Violence against women is not confined to private spaces. It can occur in workplaces, in public, online and within our community. A problem this widespread requires all of us to play a role in challenging harmful behaviours and supporting those at risk.

“By promoting respect and equal opportunity in every part of life, we help create a safer future for everyone.”

Mr Bull encouraged community members, local organisations and workplaces to engage in the campaign and support efforts to build a culture of respect and accountability.

“Reducing violence is not only about responding when harm occurs, it is about preventing it in the first place. We can all contribute towards this change,” he said.

Caption: The Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull stands with Jelena Dokic during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Jelena’s bravery in sharing her story inspires us all, and Tim proudly supports efforts to end gendered violence.

Monday, 1 December 2025

The Allan Labor Government has been accused of severely cutting back on work given to contractors engaged in fire mitigation in East Gippsland.
Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said the contractors who rely on this work for their income, had also been misled by the Environment Minister, Steve Diomopoulos.
Mr Bull told Parliament that when Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) contracts were granted to former timber industry harvest and haulage contractors when that sector was closed, concerns were raised they may take work from the existing external plant panel workers.
“When I raised this, in the Minister’s response on June 6 last year, he attempted to allay those concerns, stating “similar volumes of forest and fire management work as previous years will be made available to the panel.”
“He also said the funding to the harvest and haulage contractors was “new funding”, indicating it would not impact on the external plant panel. However, despite this, we saw a major reduction in work being awarded to the panel.”
Mr Bull said he raised it again in December and the Minister responded, saying the reduction in work was a “temporary variation” and “the volume of work will increase for the balance of the financial year and will align with previous volumes of work.”
“Again, this did not eventuate as promised with little - and in some cases no work offered.
“Then last week at an information session for external plant contractors, a slide was shown saying ‘(former harvest and haulage) contractor assets are considered internal assets and must be considered before external plant are engaged’. This flies in the face of the ‘new money’ claim and that there was to be no competition.
“Hence, I have asked the Minister to both restore the same levels of work to the external plant panel and provide me with the budget of works they have received over each of the past five years, so we can see the level of reduction.
“It’s quite clear there should be plenty of work for all with the bush desperately needing high levels of management,” he said.

Monday, 24 November 2025

Monday, 24 November 2025

Fire mitigation workers left high and dry

The Allan Labor Government has been accused of severely cutting back on work given to contractors engaged in fire mitigation in East Gippsland.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said the contractors who rely on this work for their income, had also been misled by the Environment Minister, Steve Diomopoulos.

Mr Bull told Parliament that when Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) contracts were granted to former timber industry harvest and haulage contractors when that sector was closed, concerns were raised they may take work from the existing external plant panel workers.

“When I raised this, in the Minister’s response on June 6 last year, he attempted to allay those concerns, stating “similar volumes of forest and fire management work as previous years will be made available to the panel.”

“He also said the funding to the harvest and haulage contractors was “new funding”, indicating it would not impact on the external plant panel. However, despite this, we saw a major reduction in work being awarded to the panel.”

Mr Bull said he raised it again in December and the Minister responded, saying the reduction in work was a “temporary variation” and “the volume of work will increase for the balance of the financial year and will align with previous volumes of work.”

“Again, this did not eventuate as promised with little - and in some cases no work offered.

“Then last week at an information session for external plant contractors, a slide was shown saying ‘(former harvest and haulage) contractor assets are considered internal assets and must be considered before external plant are engaged’. This flies in the face of the ‘new money’ claim and that there was to be no competition.

“Hence, I have asked the Minister to both restore the same levels of work to the external plant panel and provide me with the budget of works they have received over each of the past five years, so we can see the level of reduction.

“It’s quite clear there should be plenty of work for all with the bush desperately needing high levels of management,” he said.

Monday, 24 November 2025

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has called on the Labor Government to cease its brumby culling program, which is set to continue despite job and funding cuts in Parks Victoria.

“The Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action has seen astronomical cuts to the budget, resulting in job losses locally, contract reductions and devastating blows to the pest plants and animal programs, but it is continuing with its very expensive horse shooting program.

“It beggars belief that when we have all these job losses, the government is continuing with a program in East Gippsland that the vast majority of locals do not want.

“Brumbies make up a very small population of the pest species in our state and national parks.

Feral pigs, which do much more damage and are out of control with massively increased numbers need to be the focus.”

Mr Bull said he supported brumby controls, but not eradication which was the government objective.

“We have brumby sight-seeing tours and photographers and artists travelling to our region to capture the animals on canvas or photographs, but we don’t have that interest in pigs, wild dogs, sambar deer, foxes and rabbits.

“The pigs also pose a much more serious threat to our farming community.

“In Parliament I asked Minister Dimopoulos of the intentions with the brumby culling and he doubled down on the program, stating they ‘will continue to be removed from the Alpine National Park through targeted ground-shooting by professionals’.

“I find it disgraceful that at a time the government is looking for department efficiencies and after driving the state debt toward $196 billion dollars, it would rather shoot horses than preserve local jobs.

“Labor needs a lesson on how to spend the taxpayer’s money wisely and frugally.

Monday, 17 November 2025

The Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is encouraging local communities to apply for the latest round of the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns Fund.

This fund offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to support projects that enhance tourism, liveability, and community pride in towns with populations of 5,000 or fewer residents.

Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations can apply and there is a co-contribution required which can be a combination of financial and in-kind support.

Mr Bull emphasised that this is an invaluable opportunity for small communities within the electorate to access grant funding for key local projects.

“These grants have already made a positive impact on various community-driven initiatives, and I’m eager to see more proposals from the Gippsland East electorate this year,” Mr Bull said.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our towns to secure funding that can make a real difference in their communities.”

For more information go to www.rdv.vic.gov.au/grants/tiny-towns-fund .

Monday, 17 November 2025