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What’s News?East Gippsland Shire Council Newsletter By East Gippsland Shire Council - 12th January 2004 - Back to News NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BEGINS
East Gippsland Shire’s new Chief Executive Officer, Steve Kozlowski, began his new role on Monday, 5 January. Steve was employed previously as Director, Strategic and Corporate Services, Maroondah City Council. He has over 20 years experience in Local Government, has a Bachelor of Business in Local Government, Graduate Diploma in Business Administration and a Masters in Business Administration. Further information: Steve Kozlowski.
RATING OVERVIEW
East Gippsland Shire Council is encouraging the local community to provide feedback into a Rating Overview and Discussion Paper. The review was undertaken after a number of submissions were received from the farming community in relation to the previously existing differential rate. Council welcomes written submissions until 27 February 2004, with consideration of these submissions to be discussed at a Special Council Meeting on 21 April 2004. Further information: Chris Barlow.
KOALA SURVIVAL
East Gippsland Shire Council is joining in the battle to assist the koala plight on Raymond Island. A working group involving various agencies including the Shire has been established to work immediately on the problems of over-population and lack of food. The koalas, which were introduced to Raymond Island in the 1950’s, are a major tourist attraction for thousands of visitors each year. Further information: Shannon Conway.
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY INCREASE
East Gippsland Shire Council Planning Officers processed over 800 planning permit applications in 2003, an increase of almost 20 per cent from 2002. The most significant activity was within coastal townships, although a large number of permits related to the major expansions in Eastwood Estate, Bairnsdale and the Riviera Harbours Estate, Paynesville. Further information: Nick Kearns.
TOURISM / BUSINESS
GREAT ALPINE ROAD MARKETING CAMPAIGN
East Gippsland Shire Council Tourism/Business Support Coordinator, Stephen Kleinitz, is the new Chairman of the Great Alpine Road Marketing Committee. A Great Alpine Road Marketing Plan is in its initial stages at present. It will follow on from the extensive marketing effort initiated by Tourism Victoria, focusing on visiting the high country. This aims to increase the number of visitors to our high country regions and also support tourism operators affected by last summer’s fires, as well as all operators along the Great Alpine Road. Further information: Stephen Kleinitz.
TOWNSHIP FLYERS
East Gippsland Shire Council, along with the local tourism associations and the East Gippsland Tourism Campaign Committee, is developing a series of township flyers for towns across the Shire. Council officers are managing the development stage and printing of the flyers and also contributing towards half of the printing cost. The flyers will be used to promote the visitor centres as a source of information and also to clearly identify the towns within the Shire for visitors to explore and enjoy. Not only will they be used locally but they will be placed in the Federation Square Visitor Information Centre in Melbourne’s CBD, to increase exposure of East Gippsland and also direct people to our local visitor centres for personalised and further information. Further information: Stephen Kleinitz.
SUCCEEDING IN TOURISM
East Gippsland Shire Council is working with six other Gippsland Councils to manage one of two one-day tourism forums in Gippsland, with Lakes Entrance to host an all-day forum on 3 March 2004. Participants will have the opportunity to cover specific topics such as tax, e-commerce, data collection and research, and risk and public liability. Further information: Stephen Kleinitz.
BUSINESS MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Two workshops - a Business Marketing Program and a Business Development Program – have recently been held in East Gippsland. Each program consisted of 10 operators who undertook a group weekend workshop, followed by one-on-one visits to their business from an expert in the field, while ongoing support will be provided for the following six months. The program was supported by the State Government, which funded 75 per cent of the cost to the operators who undertook the program. East Gippsland Shire Council is often applying for these types of grants. Further information: Stephen Kleinitz.
WHAT’S ON?
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION / COUNCIL MEETING
The first East Gippsland Shire Council Meeting for 2004 is scheduled for Wednesday, 14 January beginning at 2.00pm at the Shire Corporate Centre (Bairnsdale). Prior to the Council Meeting, a Community Consultation will be held at 1.15pm. Further information: Maryanne Bennett.
AUSTRALIA DAY IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Several townships in East Gippsland are preparing for their annual Australia Day breakfast ceremony and awards on 26 January. Mayor, Cr Harvey Bates, will announce the East Gippsland Shire Council’s three major awards – Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Community Event of the Year – at the Lakes Entrance ceremony. Further information: Andrea Court.
BUSHFIRES ONE YEAR ON
To mark the first anniversary of the bushfires that devastated parts of East Gippsland last year, the "Omeo Moving On" community event will take place on Australia Day, 26 January 2004, at the Omeo Court House Gardens (next to Shire offices). Cr Ben Buckley will welcome everyone and formally thank the many people who assisted in the bushfire recovery. Further information: Brian Blakeman.
INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE
COMPLETED PROJECTS
A number of projects were completed in time for the Christmas / New Year period, including the following:
- Concrete footpath at the Paynesville Promenade – cost $75,000 - by JW & AG Volk P/L.
- Sealing of a 1km reconstruction of Haydens Bog Road, Bendoc – cost $100,000 - by Orbost Civil & Civic P/L.
- Construction of residential streets Ozone Cres, Andrew St and Bassett Rd, Lakes Entrance – cost $280,000 - by Whelans Earthmoving P/L.
- Reconstruction of Middle Creek Bridge on Brookville Rd, Swifts Creek – cost $35,000 - by Eastern Roads & Bridges P/L.
CURRENT AND UPCOMING PROJECTS
- B & J Wakefield P/L has reached the final stages of construction of Kyle Street in the south Bairnsdale industrial area. Total contract value is $240,000.
- Survey and design will commence shortly by Bairnsdale consulting firm, Crossco Australia, for the $1 million plus South Bairnsdale Drainage Scheme. This project is jointly funded by Council and the State Government’s Regional Infrastructure Development Fund.
- Swan Reach firm, Jarvis Norwood Construction, will this month commence the $90,000 rehabilitation works on the bridge over Cabbage Tree Creek on Healeys Road, Marlo.
- TXU will shortly be installing a temporary power line adjacent to Coxs Bridge on Settlement Rd, Lindenow, to allow Swan Reach firm, Tambo Constructions P/L, to construct a new bridge valued at $185,000.
· Bairnsdale firm, Eastern Roads & Bridges, will shortly commence Council’s last bridge repair after the 2003 bushfires when it installs culverts on the Old Tongio Road at Jones Creek, at a cost of $64,000.
Published by East Gippsland Shire Council
Website: www.egipps.vic.gov.au
Email: feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
Telephone: 5153 9500
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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RACV’s 2026 survey ranks Gippsland highways among Victoria’s most concerning roads, citing potholes, poor surfaces and safety issues. Nationals MP Danny O’Brien has outlined a $5 billion regional roads commitment. - International partners visit Gippsland to explore energy diversification and regional development opportunities firsthand together
One Gippsland hosted European partners for a five-day Gippsland visit, exploring energy diversification, regional development, workforce opportunities, infrastructure, agriculture and collaboration between Australian and European regions. - Wellington Shire Council secures $2M for road safety improvements across five Gippsland towns before mid-2027
Wellington Shire Council has secured $2 million for road safety upgrades across Maffra, Stratford, Sale, Wurruk and Heyfield, with works beginning before Christmas and completion expected by mid-2027. - Southern Rural Water manages Gippsland storages during rainfall, balancing flood risks, water supplies and community safety
Southern Rural Water managed Gippsland water storages during significant weekend rainfall, using controlled releases to create capacity, reduce flood risks and protect community safety and water supplies. - Darren Chester congratulates Gippsland Agricultural Group on successful Gippsland Red Meat Conference in Sale
Darren Chester has praised the successful Gippsland Red Meat Conference in Sale, highlighting industry collaboration, innovation, productivity and the need to reduce red tape for farming families. - Melina Bath seeks Labor explanation on Gippsland children face specialist dental service cuts, longer waits and costly travel for treatment
Melina Bath says Gippsland children face longer waits after regional pediatric dental services were cut, forcing families to travel to Melbourne for specialist treatment. - Martin Cameron and Melina Bath heard Gippsland builders’ concerns, pledge reforms to improve housing affordability and supply
Martin Cameron and Melina Bath met Gippsland builders to discuss housing affordability challenges, citing rising taxes, fees and planning delays. The Nationals and Liberals propose faster approvals, increased land supply and tax relief. - Major GRISS upgrade strengthens Gippsland’s premier indoor sports and events venue for future growth
The upgraded Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium was officially opened, delivering modern facilities, supporting local jobs, and strengthening its role as Gippsland's leading venue for community sport and major events. - Darren Chester and Matt Canavan to tour Gippsland industries, meeting local employers and workers across seven regional towns
Nationals Leader Matt Canavan will tour Gippsland for two days, visiting major energy, forestry, manufacturing and agricultural businesses to discuss regional jobs, investment and industry challenges. - Danny O’Brien urges premier to delay Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November state election
Danny O’Brien urges the Premier to delay VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November’s election, allowing community input and addressing landholder and environmental concerns. - Danny O’Brien urges Premier to delay Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November state election
Danny O’Brien is urging the Premier to delay awarding VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November’s state election, citing landholder concerns and unresolved environmental, financial and property impacts. - Five additional VLocity train sets to boost Gippsland Line capacity and ease crowding as the Nationals commitment
The Nationals will add five VLocity train sets to Gippsland services, providing 1,110 extra seats and enabling longer trains during peak periods to ease overcrowding on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services. - Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment.
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