Local families in Paynesville will benefit from a $43,770 funding boost after the Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre (PNC) was successful in Round Two of the VicHealth Growing Communities Grant Fund.

The funding will support PNC’s Fresh Futures Project: Growing Food, Growing Community, a practical initiative focused on improving access to affordable fresh food while bringing families together.

The project will be delivered in partnership with the Paynesville Country Women’s Association and will include eight food sustainability and gardening workshops, along with hands-on resources such as an Early Years Health Eating Book healthy eating for families with children aged up to 14.

Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, a former VicHealth Board Member, welcomed the funding outcome and said the project reflects the value of community-led approaches to health and wellbeing.

Mr Bull said the program will help families take part in community gardens and food pantry programs, build practical skills, and strengthen social connection.

“The project will focus on learning through doing, with children and parents gaining confidence in cooking, gardening and making healthy food choices together,” he said.

“Early exposure to these skills supports lifelong healthy habits and encourages young people to understand where food comes from.”

PNC co-ordinator Julia Fitz-Gerald said the project will help bring families together and strengthen links with early years services and Paynesville Primary School.

She said the initiative creates more opportunities for families to learn, share knowledge and participate in their local community.

The VicHealth Growing Communities Grant Fund supports initiatives across Victoria that promote healthy eating, sustainability and practical life skills, helping communities support children and families to thrive.

Other local recipients include Yoowinna Wurnalung Aboriginal Healing Service and Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland who will both establish community gardens to promote healthy eating and sustainable gardening practices, while Regen Gippsland will deliver active nature programs to support healthy activities for young people and their families.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, with Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre’s Manager, Julie, and Fresh Futures Project Coordinator, Rachel, congratulating them on their funding success.

Monday, 4 May 2026

The Victorian Government’s 2022 investment in the Fenning Intermodal Freight Terminal was intended to restore rail freight to Bairnsdale for the first time since 2009.

However, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull said the required investment in the line to allow heavy haulage had not followed up in the four years since.

“At the time this government promoted the upgrade as a key project for improving freight efficiency and reducing pressure on local roads, the terminal was opened with significant fanfare.

“However, it soon became clear the rail line servicing the terminal cannot accommodate heavy haulage G-class locomotives without further upgrades.

“I have raised this time and time again with the Minister, Gabby Williams, but there is no commitment to have the work done after four years and no clear explanation of their plans.

“This is a government that has racked up debt expected to hit $190 billion, with interest repayments alone of $28m per day (more than $1m per hour).

“It is ridiculous the government supports freight upgrade but does not provide the infrastructure to have the heavy freight locomotives to access it – it beggars belief really.

“I have had to make multiple approaches to different Ministers to establish why the G-class has not been approved for use and, while the government has known for some time, we now know the reason.

“No wonder the Minister was reticent to make it public, it’s just embarrassing,” Mr Bull said.

“The government needed to focus on practical outcomes rather than announcements.

“This is about making sure projects are delivered in a way that actually works for local industries and communities,” he said.

He called on the Minister to prioritise Gippsland line upgrades to support freight, while ensuring no further unnecessary disruption to passenger services occurs.

Caption: The Nationals’ Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is calling for key infrastructure upgrades that will support freight movements from East Gippsland. Mr Bull is pictured at the Fenning Intermodal Freight Terminal in Bairnsdale.

Monday, 4 May 2026