Darren Chester MP

COMMUNITY SUPPORT CRITICAL TO LRH UPGRADE PROPOSAL

February 15, 2012

Support from the local community will help influence a bid by Latrobe Regional Hospital (LRH) for a $65 million government upgrade, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

LRH has applied for funding to support the building of a new improved emergency department, additional endoscopy facilities and offer more beds for acute care through the Federal Government’s ‘Regional Priority Round of the Health and Hospital’s Fund’.

Mr Chester has launched a local campaign to highlight the importance of the proposal and is inviting residents to sign a petition or send messages to the Minister.

EAST SALE RAAF REDEVELOPMENT A STEP CLOSER

February 15, 2012

The decision by the Parliamentary Public Works Committee to recommend a $185 million upgrade of the East Sale RAAF Base has been welcomed by The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

After a recent public hearing in Sale, the Parliamentary committee has supported the project and its recommendation has been accepted by the House of Representatives.

Formal approval must now be granted in the Senate before the project can proceed.

LABOR INCONSISTENT ON CATTLE GRAZING POLICY

February 13, 2012

Labor Governments have been accused of having an inconsistent policy in relation to cattle grazing by Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

Speaking in Federal Parliament, Mr Chester said a decision by the ACT Labor Government to allow cattle grazing on public land to reduce fuel during bushfire season smacked of hypocrisy.

Federal Labor Environment Minister Tony Burke recently week banned the Victorian Coalition Government from grazing cattle in the high country as part of bushfire fuel reduction research.

RESPECT NEEDED TO SHARE THE ROADS

February 8, 2012

The Victorian Government’s ‘Road User or Abuser’ campaign to bring cyclists and motorists together on road safety has been welcomed by local MPs Darren Chester and Russell Northe.

The campaign will use a Facebook page as a forum for cyclists and drivers to discuss their concerns about sharing Victoria’s roads. It will also focus on addressing a lack of knowledge of cycling related road rules by both cyclists and drivers.

Mr Chester who is the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport, said road safety was the responsibility of all road users and all levels of government.

MINISTER PLEASED WITH IMPROVED CONDITIONS FOR FARMERS

February 8, 2012

Improved seasonal conditions across East Gippsland have pleased State Agriculture, Food Security and Water Minister Peter Walsh who visited East Gippsland last week.

Local issues such as feral animal control, food production, water security, and pest plant management all fall within Minister Walsh’s portfolio.

Minister Walsh said it was pleasing to see improved pasture conditions for farmers after a decade severely affected by low rainfall.

MAFFRA EAGLES REWARDED FOR ON-COURT SUCCESS

February 3, 2012

Victorian Country girls basketball champions the Maffra Eagles have been rewarded with a $3000 Federal Government grant to assist them as they pursue their sporting goals.

After winning the State country championships in 2011, the team ventured to Darwin as one of the best 24 teams in the under 14 age group in the country. The Eagles placed eighth at the championships.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has congratulated the team on its success and for being recognised through the Commonwealth’s Local Sporting Champions program.

NATIONAL PARTY MPs EXPERIENCE EAST GIPPSLAND

February 3, 2012

National Party State MPs have experienced East Gippsland during a strategic planning workshop to further develop policy and set targets for the year ahead.

The group spent two days in East Gippsland focusing on issues affecting local industry.

Time was also spent inspecting local projects, businesses and discussing the potential for further investment in the region.

ALPINE GRAZING BAN NO SURPRISE: CHESTER

February 2, 2012

The Federal Government has been accused of blindly accepting the ideology of inner city Greens with its decision to impose a ban on cattle grazing in the high country.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said he wasn’t surprised by the decision by Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke.

“It doesn’t surprise me because the Labor Party is captive to the inner city Greens who they negotiated with to form government,” Mr Chester said.

MULTI-MILLION AGED CARE UPGRADE TO OPEN

Feburary 2, 2012

A multi-million dollar upgrade at Yallambee Aged Care Services in Traralgon will be officially opened tomorrow.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Federal Government had committed $2 million toward new rooms for 16 aged care beds to replace the old and unsuitable building.

Stage one of the project, which is new rooms for 10 dementia beds, will be officially opened tomorrow, February 3, 2012.

CHESTER CONVEYS SUPPORT FOR YARRAM CHILDCARE CENTRE

February 1, 2012

The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has registered his support for funding to build a children’s hub with childcare in Yarram.

Mr Chester has written to the Hon Wendy Lovell, Minister for Children and Early Learning Childhood Development, to extend his “whole-hearted support” for the Yarram District Hub – Childcare Services application being prepared by Wellington Shire Council.

Below is an extract from Mr Chester’s letter to Minister Lovell:

CGHS TO HOST ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS WALK

February 1, 2012

Central Gippsland Health Service (CGHS) and the community will come together on February 22, in an awareness walk around Lake Guthridge to highlight the importance of organ donation.

Local residents are being asked to join in the CGHS DonateLife Awareness Walk which will run from 7:30-10:30am and will be followed by a sausage sizzle and drinks.

DonateLife is the Australian Government’s body behind the campaign to increase organ donation. According to DonateLife over 75 per cent of Australians are willing to become organ donors but 40 per cent of Australians do not know the wishes of their loved ones.

FISHING INDUSTRY CRUNCHED BY INCREASED LICENCE FEES

January 30, 2012

The decision to impose massive increases in fishing licence fees will undermine the viability of the Lakes Entrance commercial fishing industry according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

Mr Chester said he had been approached by several local fishermen concerned for their future after the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) increased annual licence fees by several thousand dollars.

“At a time when fishermen are facing increased fuel costs and competing with cheap imports, increased licence fees will make it harder to survive in the industry,” Mr Chester said.

 COALITION TO SUPPORT SURF LIFE SAVING CLUBS

January 30, 2012

Surf life saving volunteers would benefit from a $10 million fund to assist clubs to purchase much needed equipment under a Coalition Government according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

The fund would also allow the Coalition Government to extend the Beach Drowning Black Spot Reduction Program.

Mr Chester is a member of the Parliamentary Friends of Surf Lifesaving and also volunteers as a water safety officer at junior surf life saving carnivals during summer months.

COMMUNITY INVITED TO HEARING ON RAAF UPGRADE

January 25, 2011

A public hearing on the proposed $185 million upgrade at the East Sale RAAF Base will be held in Sale next week.

The public hearing is a result of the Public Works Committee inquiry into the Department of Defence’s proposal to redevelop the primary officer training base. The Department is seeking approval from the Committee to proceed with redeveloping East Sale.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 31 from 12:30pm to 2pm at the Wellington Shire Council offices, Foster St, Sale.

WORK TO START ON OMEO HIGHWAY SEALING

January 25, 2012

Work is starting on sealing of the unsealed sections of the Omeo Highway, delivering on another election commitment, says Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.

“It is one of only four routes between the North East and Gippsland and the sealing of the unsealed sections will not only serve the general public, but also provide support to industries, including timber and tourism.

“Providing a safe bitumen surface will also mean that the road will be more accessible and safer in wet weather and snowy conditions,” Mr Bull said.

YARRAM CHILDCARE TAKES A FURTHER STEP FORWARD

January 23, 2012

Childcare in Yarram is another step closer following the announcement of $900,000 to progress the project.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has commended Wellington Shire Council for making childcare in Yarram a priority and allocating $900,000 of its recent Local Government Infrastructure Program allocation to the proposed community hub to be built in Grant Street.

Mr Chester said the Shire had completed a feasibility study to determine what services should be included in the community hub but would need additional funding before construction could begin.

HIGHWAY SAFETY NEEDS MORE FUNDING: CHESTER

January 20, 2012

Increased government funding is required to improve safety levels on the Princes Highway throughout Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

The local MP’s campaign for increased funding has been given a boost with the latest safety data indicating that the highway in Gippsland poses a greater risk than many other parts of the state.

AusRAP’s (Australian Road Assessment Program) Rating Australia’s National Network for Risk report has identified the Princes Highway east between Warragul and Sale as having a high collective risk rating. The Rosedale to Sale section was also recognised in the report as one of the worst links in the state.

JOBS GROWTH THE KEY FOR 2012: CHESTER

January 20, 2012

Helping to create new opportunities and protecting existing jobs will be the key focus for 2012, according to The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

Mr Chester said he was aiming to build stronger links across the Gippsland and Latrobe Valley business community to encourage more businesses to employ local people and support economic growth in the region.

He will be hosting business forums throughout the year and urging all business owners in Gippsland to suggest ways that governments can assist in helping regional growth.

REGISTER MOBILE PHONE BLACKSPOTS: CHESTER

January 18, 2012

Gippslanders are being urged to register mobile phone blackspots to highlight the need for a Federal Government program to ensure the safety of local communities in times of natural disaster.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester last week raised concerns that the Federal and State Government’s announcement of a Location Based Solution for emergency warnings would not benefit all communities in Gippsland.

He has now urged Gippslanders to register mobile phone blackspots with his office so that he can highlight to the appropriate Ministers the specific local communities where residents and visitors will not be able to receive warnings when the new system comes into operation.

BLACKSPOT PROGRAM MUST ACCOMPANY WARNING SYSTEM

January 13, 2012

The development of a Location Based Solution for emergency warnings should be accompanied by a mobile phone blackspots program to ensure all regional communities can benefit from the technology, according to the Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

Mr Chester said today’s announcement of an agreement between the State and Commonwealth Government and Telstra was a positive move but there were many parts of regional Australia, including the Gippsland region, which wouldn’t benefit unless mobile phone blackspots were addressed.

“I’ve raised my concerns directly with the Gillard Government and spoken in Parliament about the need to eliminate blackspots to ensure all regional communities benefit from the early warning system,” Mr Chester said.

CHESTER THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND ORBOST MEN’S SHED

January 13, 2012

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester attended this week’s meeting as Orbost Men’s Shed members discussed plans to rebuild the facility.

“It’s a terrible blow to the shed organisation but thankfully no one was injured in the fire and the shed was insured,” Mr Chester said.

“I will work closely with Orbost Regional Health and the wider community to make sure that the shed is back on its feet as soon as possible.

DONATE LIFE, DISCUSS IT TODAY, OK?

January 12, 2012

More lives could be saved if Gippsland and Latrobe Valley residents discussed organ donation with their families, according to Latrobe Regional Hospital Senior Nurse Gwenda Dortmans and Federal MP Darren Chester.

Mrs Dortmans said organ donation was critical with over 2000 people currently waiting for suitable organs to be donated. She said 900 donations were carried out over the past 12 months.

“People can choose to donate their organs to help save lives,” Mrs Dortmans said.

NBN ROLLOUT CONCERNING GIPPSLANDERS

January 10, 2012

The Gillard Government has confirmed the $50 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) won’t provide every home in Gippsland with high-speed broadband via its fibre network.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester recently raised the concerns of Gippslanders directly with the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Stephen Conroy.

In a letter responding to Mr Chester’s concerns, Mr Conroy’s office indicated the communities of Longford, Glenmaggie, Fernbank, Marlo and Sarsfield would receive internet via a next-generation fixed wireless. Carrajung, Ensay and Dargo would rely on next-generation satellite.

GARDS PUSHING FOR MOBILE ASBESTOS DISPOSAL FACILITY

January 9, 2011

Providing better support for sufferers of asbestos related disease and ensuring that community members have a means to dispose of the product safely are key priorities for GARDS (Gippsland Asbestos Related Disease Support) according to Chief Executive Officer Vicki Hamilton.

Mrs Hamilton’s comments came during a meeting with Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester at the GARDS office in the Latrobe Valley.

Experts believe the number of people diagnosed with asbestos-related disease will not peak until 2020.

TRIATHLON A GREAT SUCCESS: CHESTER

January 9, 2012

The 21st Marlo Triathlon was a family affair for Federal MP Darren Chester with his wife and daughter also competing in the annual event.

It was the fourth time that Darren had completed the course but the first time for his wife Julie and 13-year-old daughter Jamieson.

“We all did the ‘fun tri’ and all credit must go to the organisers and the volunteers who made the day enjoyable for competitors,” Darren said.