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New Skills, Good Jobs, More Schools, Better Roads in GippslandThe Andrews Labor Government is getting things done. By Portal Admin - 27th May 2018 - Back to News The Andrews Labor Government is getting things done, investing in the big projects that Gippsland needs and the people we need to deliver them.
The Victorian Budget 2018/19 delivers $4.3 billion for regional Victoria, making sure regional communities have reliable roads and rail, good schools and quality healthcare.
As we build our state, thousands of new jobs are being created. We want to make sure Victorians are first in line for these good new jobs.
Skilled workers are in demand across regional Victoria and more than ever, the skills required for these high-demand jobs are learned at TAFE. To ensure that cost never stops people from getting the right skills, it includes $172 million to make priority TAFE and pre-apprenticeship courses free – helping us fill skills gaps and get Victorians into work.
More students will be able to access this training and get these good jobs, with $304 million to open new classes and fund more than 30,000 new training places and TAFE campuses in regional Victoria will be upgraded to give Victorians the best facilities to learn their trade, with $25 million for a new Federation Training campus at Port of Sale and $35.5 million to transform Federation Training’s Morwell campus.
More young people will be able to get a trade and go straight into a job with new Head Start Apprenticeships and Traineeships giving students the option to undertake an additional year of high school, and graduate with an apprenticeship or traineeship, ready to work in a high demand or high growth industry.
An extra $44 million will also update learning materials, introduce independent assessments and bring back trade papers to make sure our apprentices are trained to the same high standards with recognised qualifications.
Because every family, in every community, should have a good school close to home, this Budget includes $181 million to build, plan and upgrade 60 regional schools.
Local schools to benefit include Boisdale Consolidated School, Orbost North Primary, Orbost Secondary, Kongwak Primary and Tarwin Valley Primary. There is also $6 million for Stage 1 of the Traralgon Education Regeneration Project to deliver modern infrastructure for Latrobe Special Developmental School and Traralgon College.
This comes on top of the recently announced funding of $32.5 million for the rebuilding of Wonthaggi Secondary College to create a state of the art new campus with specialist facilities for visual arts, graphics, materials technology and science.
Right now, mental illness is hurting communities and leaving families heartbroken, so the Budget invests a record $705 million to give Victorians the treatment they need.
It includes more rehab beds, more mental health support workers, new and upgraded specialist facilities across the state. This investment will also see additional rehabilitation facilities established in Geelong, Gippsland and Hume.
We’re also making sure that every Victorian patient gets the care they deserve, with $115 million to expand the Wonthaggi Hospital with a new operating theatre, upgraded inpatient rooms and modern emergency department.
A further $50 million will boost the Labor Government’s flagship Regional Health Infrastructure Fund – a fund that is upgrading hospitals and health centres in towns such as Bairnsdale and Sale – to make sure regional Victorians can get the best healthcare, in the best facilities, wherever they live.
And because our regional roads are not up to scratch, $941 million will get on with the job of fixing our regional road network. This will enable the biggest road maintenance blitz our state has ever seen with $66 million set to be spent in Gippsland and a dedicated country roads body, Regional Roads Victoria.
As part of the unprecedented road work blitz, urgently needed repairs will be carried out on sections of the Princes Highway East and the South Gippsland Highway as well as dozens of other roads in need of repair.
Gippsland will also see important upgrades to vital connections including a new dual lane roundabout to be built at the intersection of Phillip Island Road and Back Beach Road on Phillip Island to improve safety and traffic flow.
This year’s Budget also includes $704 million to give Victorians in regional areas more reliable public transport, including funds to provide extra stabling and maintenance, alongside the important design work and pre-procurement for the next generation of VLocity trains.
Businesses in Gippsland will benefit from additional payroll tax cuts. The regional payroll tax rate will be 2.425 per cent – half the metropolitan tax rate and the lowest rate in the nation – helping local businesses expand and growing local jobs.
The Budget includes $102.7 million for the Hydrogen energy supply chain pilot that seeks to demonstrate a viable low-cost, low-emission supply chain for exporting hydrogen energy to Japan using the Latrobe Valley’s brown coal. This pilot is being undertaken with the support of the Victorian, Commonwealth and Japanese Governments.
The Labor Government is also listening to regional Victorians, delivering almost $760 million for local priorities identified by our Regional Partnerships. This includes $700,000 to implement a Gippsland food and fibre taskforce.
Local sporting clubs also benefit with $3 million for Moe and District Netball Association to kickstart the development of a new netball precinct and $600,000 for Drouin Netball Club to update their courts.
The Labor Government is also investing a further $11 million to reduce the digital divide and better connect regional and rural communities – another key priority from our Regional Partnerships.
This is a Labor Budget that delivers on the things that matter in regional Victoria. This is a Budget that gets things done.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
"Wherever you live, this is a Labor Budget that delivers on the things that matter – new skills, good jobs, more schools and better roads."
"It’s an investment in the big projects that regional Victoria needs and the people we need to deliver them."
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
"This budget continues our record investment in Gippsland’s future – upgraded schools, roads fixed and the funds our TAFE system needs as we rebuild it after it was decimated by the Coalition. This is getting things done."
"We are also investing in local health including the rebuilding of Wonthaggi Hospital and a record investment in mental health services - all of these initiatives will support Gippsland communities to grow and thrive."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: support@gippsland.com
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One Gippsland is calling for urgent government action, investment and policy reform to strengthen disaster resilience, improve planning, and protect coastal communities facing increasing climate-related risks and rising economic costs. - Gippslander Scott Morris joins national bowel cancer advocacy push at Parliament House in Canberra
Bairnsdale Scott Morris joined Bowel Cancer Australia's Call on Canberra, sharing his stage four diagnosis to advocate for earlier screening, better treatment pathways, and urgent national action on rising early-onset bowel cancer rates. - Kurnai College supports young Gippslanders completing Year 12 while balancing parenting and education challenges
Kurnai College’s Young Parents Program helps Gippsland students complete Year 12, gain VET qualifications, and build confidence, resilience, and life skills while providing onsite childcare and strong community support. - Danny O’Brien congratulates Gippsland Volunteer Emergency Services on VESEP funding support
Danny O’Brien praised Gippsland volunteer emergency services for VESEP funding, supporting vital equipment, facility upgrades, and ongoing advocacy for a new Port Welshpool Coast Guard vessel to ensure community safety. - Danny O'Brien urges Gippslanders to donate early to Giving Trees and help bring Christmas joy to foster children
Gippslanders are encouraged to donate early to A Better Life for Foster Kids' Giving Trees, helping ensure every child in out-of-home care receives a Christmas gift this festive season. - Tim Bull encourages Gippsland East communities to apply for Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund Grants until 4 February 2026
Tim Bull urges Gippsland East communities to apply for the Tiny Towns Fund, offering $5,000-$50,000 grants to support tourism, liveability, and local projects for towns under 5,000 residents. - East Gippsland Council adopts 2024-25 Annual Report, highlighting achievements, advocacy, investment, and community-focused service delivery
East Gippsland Shire Council has adopted its 2024-25 Annual Report, highlighting achievements in service delivery, infrastructure, advocacy, bushfire recovery, and community resilience while addressing cost-of-living and housing challenges. - West Gippsland CMA celebrates 25 years of sustainable irrigation, transforming Gippsland farms, saving water and protecting local waterways
West Gippsland CMA's Sustainable Irrigation Program celebrates 25 years, with 1,200 projects saving 47 gigalitres annually, enhancing farm productivity, protecting waterways, and expanding beyond the Macalister Irrigation District. - East Gippsland Council celebrates staff contributions with annual Living Our Values Awards announcement
East Gippsland Council honoured staff contributions with the annual Living Our Values Awards, recognising individuals and teams demonstrating respect, collaboration, Integrity, Accountability, and excellence across council services and communities. - East Gippsland residents invited to provide input on 2026‑27 Council budget, shaping services, projects, and community priorities
East Gippsland residents can provide feedback on the 2026‑27 Council budget, helping shape priorities, services, projects, and capital works through surveys, community sessions, and ongoing consultations with councillors. - East Gippsland Shire backs $15M Bairnsdale Airport upgrade to boost emergency response and healthcare services regionally
East Gippsland Shire Council has backed a $15 million Bairnsdale Airport upgrade, extending the runway to boost emergency response, healthcare services, and regional aviation, supported by government funding and health agencies. - East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth urges vigilance, community support and preparedness during recent extreme heat and bushfire risks
East Gippsland Mayor acknowledges recent extreme heat, commends community responses, urges vigilance, bushfire preparedness, checking on vulnerable people, accessing support services, and using Vic Emergency app and Emergency Dashboard. - East Gippsland Council confirms compliance with 2025-26 rate cap, maintaining responsible financial management and community support
East Gippsland Council has confirmed compliance with the 2025–26 Victorian rate cap, keeping increases below the 3% limit to ease cost-of-living pressures while maintaining essential services. - East Gippsland Shire adopts fairer Raymond Island Ferry pass system, replacing portable passes with vehicle stickers from 2026/27
East Gippsland Shire Council will replace Raymond Island Ferry portable passes with vehicle stickers by 2026/27, introducing fairer allocations for residents and tenants, with interim free pass improvements effective immediately. - East Gippsland Council launches 10-Year Waste and Recycling Plan, advancing circular economy and sustainable resource management
East Gippsland Council has adopted a 10-Year Waste and Recycling Transition Plan, introducing FOGO, expanding kerbside collections, improving recycling, and supporting a circular economy across the region. - West Gippsland Landcare awarded $337,250 to transform landscapes, protect species, and enhance community green spaces statewide
West Gippsland Landcare volunteers received $337,250 from 2025 Victorian Landcare Grants to restore landscapes, protect endangered species, enhance waterways, plant 30,000 trees, and engage communities in conservation projects. - East Gippsland opens nominations for 2026 Australia Day Awards recognising outstanding community contributions and achievements
East Gippsland Shire Council invites nominations for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, recognising individuals, groups, and events for outstanding community contributions in volunteering, sport, arts, environment, and service. - West Gippsland CMA reflects on 2025, planning ahead and celebrating partnerships shaping healthy Gippsland landscapes with CMAs
West Gippsland CMA's final 2025 episode, CEO Marty Fuller reflects on achievements, partnerships and future projects, sharing how CMAs and communities work together to care for Country and healthy landscapes nationwide. - East Gippsland hosts Youth Agritech Expo showcasing farming futures and career pathways for young people on 17 September 2025
East Gippsland will host the Youth Agritech Expo, offering farm tours, hands-on experiences, and showcasing agricultural career pathways, technology, and innovation to inspire the next generation and build a skilled workforce. - East Gippsland Council urges drivers to follow parking limits, protect access and support local businesses this festive season
East Gippsland drivers are urged to follow festive-season parking limits, respecting time restrictions, loading zones, and disabled bays to ensure town accessibility and support local businesses. - East Gippsland opens Lakes Entrance changing places facility, boosting accessibility, inclusion, and community participation
East Gippsland Shire Council and partners opened a Lakes Entrance Changing Places facility, providing fully accessible toilets, changerooms, and showers, enhancing inclusion, dignity, and community participation for people with disabilities. - East Gippsland Water offers free emergency water tokens to bushfire-affected residents, ensuring essential household supply
East Gippsland Water is providing free emergency water tokens to bushfire-affected residents, ensuring safe household water for drinking, hygiene, and essential use, with collection available across multiple regional standpipe locations. - East Gippsland community invited to provide feedback on Lakes Entrance Summer Carnival foreshore location and improvements
East Gippsland Council invites community feedback on continuing the Lakes Entrance Summer Carnival at its foreshore location, seeking ideas on layout, activities, accessibility, and improvements for future planning and safety. - East Gippsland Council warns pets aren’t presents, urges thoughtful, responsible lifelong commitment this Christmas season
East Gippsland Council urges residents to avoid gifting pets impulsively this Christmas, emphasizing lifelong commitment, care, and responsibility, suggesting adoption vouchers or sponsorships as thoughtful alternatives. - East Gippsland unites for 16 Days of Activism, raising awareness and preventing gender-based violence across the community
East Gippsland joins the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, promoting respect, raising awareness of gender-based violence, and hosting community events to foster safety, connection, and inclusion. - East Gippsland Shire Council seeks independent safety audit quotes for Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool to ensure community safety
East Gippsland Shire Council seeks quotes for an independent safety audit of Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool to assess risks, compliance, and required remedial works, ensuring a safe environment for staff and community. - West Gippsland CMA hosts free sustainable farming workshops with local landcare groups from September 2025 to March 2026
West Gippsland CMA is hosting free farm field days September - March, showcasing sustainable agriculture, carbon farming, and local expertise. Workshops cover soil health, biodiversity, biofertilizers, and agribusiness opportunities. - South Gippsland Shire Council celebrates major project milestones and strong financial performance, and achievements in 2024/25 Annual Report
South Gippsland Shire Council's 2024/25 Annual Report highlights major infrastructure projects, strong financial management, expanded community services, and full achievement of Council Plan initiatives across the past 12 months. - South Gippsland Shire Council celebrates major project milestones and strong financial performance, and achievements in 2024/25 Annual Report
South Gippsland Shire Council's 2024/25 Annual Report highlights major infrastructure projects, strong financial management, expanded community services, and full achievement of Council Plan initiatives across the past 12 months.
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