Announcement

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An inclusive and caring community that respects and celebrates diversity.

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Active ageing

The ask

Ongoing funding to implement programs to improve physical and mental wellbeing strategies, support services that encourage participation and raise awareness about housing (older women and homelessness), respect and social inclusion (ageism, volunteers, carers), and communication and information (digital literacy, access to lifelong learning).

Funding details

The ask: $1.5 million annually

Project cost: TBC

Victorian Government contribution: $500,000 annually ($500,000 Council funded)

Federal contribution: $500,000

Project status: Further scoping to be informed by Stage 2 of East Gippsland’s home care funding service review

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Homelessness

The ask

Immediate action to address the lack of housing in the region in the short to medium term through the provision of temporary housing, pending reconstruction of housing lost during the Black Summer Bushfires. Also the replacement of and provision expanded social and affordable housing opportunities for longer term residents and generally, an increase in social housing in the region.

Funding details

The ask: $25m minimum Big Build investment (benchmarked against the minimum investment for other similar municipalities), including immediate investment in Mallacoota to address short to medium term needs.

Victorian Government contribution: $25m

Project status: Various

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Long-term bushfire recovery and community resilience

The ask

Victorian and Commonwealth Governments commit to supporting bushfire recovery services at least until year five, with a particular focus on wellbeing related services such as mental health support, community recovery and resilience and economic recovery.

Funding details

The ask: Victorian and Commonwealth Governments to commit to supporting bushfire recovery services at least until year five.

Victorian Government contribution: Yes

Federal Government contribution: Yes

Project status: Commitment announced

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Youth services

The ask

We are seeking support to lead a partnership to positively impact the delivery of a range of youth-led services, activities and programs for young people in East Gippsland and Wellington shires.

Funding details

The ask: $3m total ($1.5m for East Gippsland and $1.5m for Wellington Shire Council)

Project cost: TBC (anticipated to approximately align with funding amount sought)

Victorian Government contribution: $3m across East Gippsland and Wellington shires as above.

Federal Government: Black Summer Grants

Project status: Project partnerships have been identified, scope defined and funding committed.

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If you would like more information or wish to speak with Council about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au

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Planning and infrastructure that enriches the environment, lifestyle, and character of our communities.

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Asset management

The ask

Commitment is sought for a policy change that allows funding to be allocated to asset renewal that is linked to need and regional characteristics, rather than funding be allocated based on competitive allocations; and for this funding to be provided annually for the term of government.

Funding details

The ask: $3-5 million

Project cost: $3-5m

Federal Government contribution: Yes

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Bairnsdale Aerodrome upgrade

The ask

That $9 million be committed to the widening, lengthening and strengthening of the Bairnsdale Airport runway to meet new CASA standards, recognising the importance of this runway in the emergency management and air patient transfers and for the region and to prepare for future commercial service opportunities.

Funding details

The ask: $9m

Project cost: $9.4m

Victorian Government contribution: Yes

Federal Government contribution: Yes

Project status: Underway

$9.9 million in Federal Government funding committed in February 2022.

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Benambra-Corryong Road sealing

The ask

Commit $4m for detailed design and planning to ensure that the project is ‘shovel ready’ for future investment.

Funding details

The ask: $4m

Project cost: $40m

Victorian Government contribution: Yes

Project status: Concept design only

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Bullumwaal Road upgrade

The ask

Council is seeking funding to realign seven roads to intersect at a 90-degree angle with Bullumwaal Road at a cost of $250,000 per intersection.

Funding details

The ask: $1.75m

Project cost: $1.75m

Victorian Government contribution: Yes

Project status: Not commenced

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Great Alpine Road widening

The ask

That the Victorian Government supports budget requests put forward by the Department of Transport to invest in significant upgrades to this strategically important road to connect communities and industries and ensure uninterrupted access to the high country from East Gippsland.

Funding details

As this is a Victorian Government asset, Council has not costed the improvements but understand that the Department of Transport has provided a detailed funding submission to Treasury and Finance. We therefore seek a commitment to this submitted budget bid.

The ask: $2m

Project cost: TBC

Victorian Government contribution: Yes

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Industrial land supply - Lakes Entrance

The ask

To overcome market failure, the Victorian Government provides direct intervention and sufficient funding for Council to facilitate planning for and rezoning of industrial land in Lakes Entrance.

Funding details

The ask: State Government financial contribution towards planning for and rezoning of industrial land in Lakes Entrance

Project cost: $250,000

Victorian Government contribution: $100,000 ($50,000 Council contribution + in kind)

Federal contribution: $100,000

Project status: Earlier reports have identified investigation areas, including site constraints and opportunities areas as a basis for the project.

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Marlo Road upgrade

The ask

Commitment is sought for two phases of this project:

Phase 1: Detailed design and route development - $700,000

Phase two: Widening of road to meet current safety standards and installation of a safe cycling route between Marlo and Orbost - uncosted but estimated at $10 million.

Funding details

The ask: $10.7m

Project cost: $10.7m

Victorian Government contribution: Yes

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Mitchell River Bridge duplication

The ask

That funding is committed for all planning studies and the detailed design for the duplication of the Mitchell River Bridge, in recognition of its importance to regional connectivity and interstate freight routes.

Funding details

The ask: $40m

Project cost: $40m

Victorian Government contribution: Funding commitments are being sought

Federal contribution: Funding commitments are being sought

Project status: Not commenced

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National disaster recovery funding

The ask

Review Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) policy and application in Victoria to streamline access to funding, enable appropriate betterment, broaden the coverage of essential infrastructure and ensure appropriate consideration of hazardous trees and other hazards that emerge over time.

Funding details

N/A

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Resilient housing stock

The ask

That the Victorian and Australian governments provide funded programs to support people in bushfire prone areas to retrofit homes to be more resilient to reduce the risk of loss, economic impact and cost to governments following natural disaster.

Funding details

The ask: $10m for East Gippsland

Project cost: $10m

Victorian Government contribution: Yes

Federal contribution: Yes

Project status: Concept

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If you would like more information or wish to speak with Council about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au

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A natural environment that is managed and enhanced.

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Climate change mitigation

The ask

Council invests annually into a local sustainability program that includes climate change mitigation, however this investment alone is not enough. Council is seeking matching funding of $250,000 pa to co-invest in a program that covers 10% of Victoria. This will enable Council to work with the Victorian Government to meet its net zero emissions commitment by 2050.

Funding details

The ask: $250,000

Project cost: $500,00

Council contribution: $250,000

Victorian Government contribution: Yes

Federal contribution: Yes

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Lakes Entrance training walls

The ask

While not a Council asset or responsibility, the importance of this asset to the Gippsland Lakes and its many communities makes this a high priority for East Gippsland Shire Council.

Funding details

The ask: $20 million

Project cost: $20m

Victorian Government contribution: $20 million

Project status: Planning

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Investment in waste management and transition

The ask

That the Victorian Government make a commitment that at least 50% of East Gippsland Shire Council’s landfill levies collected will be provided back to Council, on a non-competitive model, to implement a range of waste management initiatives.

Funding details

The ask: 50% of annual landfill levies

Project cost: 50% of annual landfill levies

Victorian Government contribution: 100%

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Weed and pest management

The ask

Funding to support weed and pest management in Council controlled areas to be increased to $500,000 p.a. and an ongoing commitment made to this funding. In addition to this direct funding increase, further funding is needed for State Government (Department of Agriculture and DELWP) led education and coordination roles and programs for land management groups and the community environment sector, along with funding and support for private land owners. Holistic funding of all components of effective weed management is required in East Gippsland.

Funding details

The ask: $500,000 p.a.

Project cost: $500,000 p.a.

Victorian Government contribution: 100%

Project status: Ongoing program requires increased investment

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If you would like more information or wish to speak with Council about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au

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A thriving and diverse economy that attracts investment and generates inclusive local employment.

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Develop arts and culture precinct

The ask

Council is seeking $300,000 to identify an appropriate site for a regional performing arts centre and undertake the detailed design of the facility.

Funding details

The ask: $300,000

Project cost: Unknown

Victorian Government contribution: Funding opportunities being sought

Federal contribution: Funding opportunities being sought

Project status: Not commenced

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Digital connectivity

The ask

Commitment to funding infrastructure upgrades to increase the resilience of telecommunications infrastructure during disasters, improve the quality and extent of coverage to support regional living, provide equitable access to services and digital technologies to improve productivity in agriculture, and meet demand during holiday periods.

Funding details

The ask: Equity of access and affordability of digital connectivity services for people across East Gippsland, despite their geography or population constraints

Project cost: Ongoing funds required through Federal, State and telecommunications service providers

Victorian Government contribution: Connecting Victoria funding

Federal contribution: Regional Connectivity Funding, Black Spot Funding

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Gippsland Agriculture Group Education Centre

The ask

$1.3 million for the development of an agricultural training/education hub at the Bairnsdale Airport to support learning, growth and training for the region’s largest sector, which can transform to new practices and products.

Funding details

The ask: Funding support to establish the Gippsland Agricultural Group Education Centre

Project cost: $1.3 million

Project status: Planned, shovel ready

$984,650 in Federal Government funding committed in February 2022.

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Local development strategies

The ask

That the Victorian Government extends the development of local development strategies to other communities that have been historically dependent on the native timber sector and have not yet made an effective transition. That the Victorian Government provides funding for specific projects arising out of the local development strategies for Orbost, Nowa Nowa and Swifts Creek.

Funding details

The ask: $500,000 for each additional community, plus project funding

Project cost: TBC

Victorian Government contribution: Yes

Project status: Ready based on work underway in other communities

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If you would like more information or wish to speak with Council about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au

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A transparent organisation that listens and delivers effective, engaging and responsive services

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Environmental Effects Statement process overhaul

The ask

The Victorian Government review the EES framework and that the process takes into account the financial and resource burden on local government in engaging and representing local interests.

That an independent expert group be established and funded by the proponent or Victorian Government to ensure the technical integrity of the EES, ensuring it is accurate and complete before exhibition and providing a technical resource during the inquiry. This will streamline the process by getting the information right up front.

Financial support for local government and community members to participate in the EES process and support from the Municipal Association of Victoria and Rural Councils Victoria to establish a local government working group.

Funding details

The ask: Process review

Victorian Government contribution: Yes

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If you would like more information or wish to speak with Council about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au

East Gippsland Shire Council supports a high quality, low volume native timber harvesting industry where our communities continue to thrive, forests have multiple uses and biodiversity is protected.

While recognising there are a wide range of views in relation to native timber harvesting, Council is concerned about the impact of the Victorian Government’s decision to cease native timber harvesting by 2030 on businesses, workers and the communities of East Gippsland.

Council advocates that the practice of clear-fell native timber harvesting be replaced as soon as practical with a new approach to silviculture (utilising thinning and select harvest) that maintains or improves forest health and reduces vulnerability to the impacts of bushfire, while also providing sawlogs for timber processing and supports the use of forest resources by a range of other forest users, including tourism and recreation.

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Council adopted the position paper on 16 August 2022.

Read the media release.

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