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Hospitality businesses across Victoria suffer losses from worsening post-pandemic staff shortagesMore hospitality businesses across Victoria are today reporting losses due to the worsening post-pandemic staffing shortages in the industry. By news@gippsland - 12th November 2021 - Back to News Pubs, cafes and bakeries in Bendigo have had to cut back their opening hours because they can't find enough workers. It follows similar reports from well-known Melbourne eateries Ladro and Entrecote. Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Steph Ryan said it reinforced the need for incentives to attract Victorians into hospitality and accommodation. 
The past 18 months have been tough for the hospitality industry who have suffered through extended lockdowns and restrictions, the released grants and programs to support small businesses as they reopen are needed Thousands of workers forced to leaveMs Ryan said, "Lockdown after lockdown saw thousands of workers forced to leave the industry in search of more certain work, but not enough have returned. Who can blame workers for leaving the industry when Labor's lockdowns and yo-yoing restrictions left them unable to pay the bills?" "This is why the Liberals and Nationals are calling on the Government to fund a sign-on bonus for new staff to take up jobs that desperately need to be filled. Unless the Victorian Government adopts new ideas to attract and retain workers, we'll continue to see venues cut back their opening hours at a time when so many Victorians are eager to support local businesses to recover." Ms Ryan said. Sign-on bonuses to new staffThe Liberals and Nationals have listened to the sector and developed a plan to offer sign-on bonuses to new staff until June 30, 2022. In metropolitan Melbourne, new employees would receive $250 after 10 days of work within a 30-day period and a further $250 after another 30 days work within a 90-day period. In regional Victoria, $500 should be paid after 10 days of work within a 30-day period and a further $500 after another 30 days of work within a 90-day period. Pictures from Business Victoria Facebook page.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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A $4 million upgrade of the Rokeby to Noojee Trail has officially opened, delivering improved surfaces, facilities, signage and lookouts, with $3 million Victorian government funding and strong community contributions celebrated. - Council urges transparent, community-focused approach for battery energy storage systems across Baw Baw
Baw Baw Council raises concerns over proposed BESS projects, urging transparency, protection of prime agricultural land, community input, and stronger oversight of sites outside designated renewable energy zones. - 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 introduces centralised kindergarten registration, simplifying enrolment and ensuring fair access across the region
East Gippsland Shire Council introduces a Kindergarten Central Registration Service, providing families a simple, fair, and streamlined way to register for funded 3- and 4-year-old kindergarten programs. - East Gippsland Council cuts planning approval times, boosting efficiency for residents, landowners, and businesses
East Gippsland Council has nearly halved planning permit approval times to 43 days, improving efficiency, reducing red tape, and supporting residents, landowners, and businesses with faster project approvals. - Gippsland’s Great Southern Rail Trail passes charming villages, rolling hills, murals, waterfalls, and welcoming country hospitality
The Great Southern Rail Trail stretches 146 km through Gippsland, linking rolling hills, charming villages, art-filled streets, cider tastings, waterfalls, scenic lookouts, and unforgettable cycling and walking experiences. - East Gippsland Shire Council celebrates National Volunteer Week recognising local volunteers and community service across region
East Gippsland Shire Council celebrates National Volunteer Week by recognising more than 300 Honour Roll volunteers whose collective service exceeds 469 years across diverse community organisations. - Danny O’Brien says retail theft in Gippsland South has risen over 70 percent recently, threatening local businesses
Retail theft in Gippsland has soared over 70%, hitting Wellington hardest, with Nationals MP Danny O’Brien calling for stronger law enforcement to protect small businesses from rising crime. - Latrobe City Council endorsed applications for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, targeting high-risk crash sites across the shire
Latrobe City Council has applied for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, proposing safety upgrades at Traralgon, Morwell, and Newborough crash sites. Successful projects will involve community consultation during the design phase. - Tim Bull states that the Parliament Prize will help students learn democracy and share fresh community ideas
Students across Gippsland are encouraged to enter the 2026 Parliament Prize by sharing ideas on community issues in a 90-second video, promoting civic engagement and understanding of Victoria’s democratic process. - East Gippsland Shire Mayor, Cr Jodie Ashworth's Christmas message
A Christmas message celebrating East Gippsland’s community spirit, kindness and connection, encouraging care for one another, support for local businesses, warm hospitality for visitors, gratitude for workers this season together. - East Gippsland Shire Council celebrates Volunteer Week, honouring volunteers dedicated services to the community
Volunteering is part of everyday life across East Gippsland, with council staff and community members supporting emergency services, sporting clubs and local organisations, reflecting a strong culture of community service and connection. - East Gippsland expands Whelans Group road maintenance contract, ensuring service continuity and local job retention across shire
East Gippsland Council has expanded Whelans Group’s road maintenance role, taking over areas previously managed by Cranes Asphalting, ensuring service continuity, high standards, and retention of local jobs across the shire. - Latrobe Regional Gallery Mainstreet Cafe fosters skill development, employment, and community engagement for all abilities
Latrobe Regional Gallery welcomes Mainstreet Cafe, an all-abilities social enterprise providing inclusive hospitality training, employment opportunities, and community engagement, fostering skills development and pathways for people of all abilities. - Danny O’Brien criticises Labor’s road funding, citing Gippsland highways’ ongoing underinvestment and worsening pothole backlog
Danny O’Brien says Labor’s $1.04 billion roads blitz exposes a large pothole backlog, highlighting years of underinvestment and ongoing deterioration of Gippsland’s regional road network. - Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project begins, for safer, more accessible visitor experience from $9.6M shared investment
Work has begun on the $9.6 million Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged upgrades to create a safer, more accessible, pedestrian-friendly destination while supporting businesses and preserving Cowes' vibrant visitor appeal. - Tim Bull criticises sudden last-minute VLine reductions from six to three carriages, causing tension due to limited rolling stock
Victorian country train passengers are forced to stand up to four hours after last-minute carriage cuts, with MP Tim Bull urging PSOs and additional services to protect booked seating. - Latrobe Valley still waiting for Commonwealth Games Legacy Housing, four years after Labor promise
Regional Victorians miss hosting Commonwealth Games athletes as promised Morwell legacy housing remains unbuilt. Nationals MPs Martin Cameron and Melina Bath criticize Allan Labor government’s broken promises amid worsening public housing crisis. - East Gippsland conservation project protects Redgum woodlands and wetlands, restoring critically endangered ecosystems
Conservation projects across East Gippsland are protecting critically endangered Redgum woodlands and wetlands through revegetation, partnerships and long-term ecological restoration across 15 sites. - Bass Coast Shire Council implements speed limit updates to improve road safety and reduce wildlife collisions
Bass Coast Shire Council is updating speed limits across the region, including area-wide and rural roads, to improve driver safety, reduce wildlife collisions, and align with Victoria’s Safe System approach. - Danny O’Brien says July-September 2025 data shows Labor continues failing Gippsland’s critical emergency response
Ambulance Victoria data shows Gippsland response times well below targets, with urgent calls for the Allan Labor government to improve staffing, resources, and performance to protect regional communities. - Committee for Gippsland welcomed Hon David Davis MP to meet local stakeholders and business leaders
Danny O’Brien met residents across nine Gippsland South towns, discussing cost-of-living pressures, infrastructure, farming challenges, and local priorities, committing to ongoing advocacy and future mobile office visits. - Melina Bath warns neighbourhood houses face financial strain, risking essential services due to stagnant government funding
Hundreds rallied at Victoria Parliament urging Allan government to provide funding certainty for neighbourhood houses, protecting essential community services supporting vulnerable residents and preventing closures. - Drouin’s Commercial Place precinct to get $1.1M upgrades, enhancing safety, accessibility, streetscape and supporting local businesses
Construction on Drouin’s $1.1 million Commercial Place precinct upgrade begins October 2025, improving safety, accessibility, streetscape, pedestrian crossings, laneways, lighting, greenery, and community usability, completing mid-2026. - Gippsland faces sobering family violence rates during 16 Days of Activism Campaign, Danny O’Brien warns
Gippsland records some of Victoria’s highest family violence rates, says Danny O’Brien, urging community action during the 16 Days of Activism to promote respect, safety, and awareness across the region. - Melina Bath criticises Labor for six-year delay restoring Thurra River Campground after 2019-20 bushfires
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath criticises Labor’s six-year delay restoring Thurra River Campground, highlighting unsafe facilities, limited capacity, and urgent need for infrastructure replacement to support local families and tourism. - Melina Bath criticises Labor for leaving Gippsland commuters on outdated paper tickets, delaying Myki upgrades until 2028
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath criticises Labor for leaving Gippsland commuters on outdated paper tickets, with Myki upgrades delayed until 2028, causing frustration, inconvenience, and barriers for regional public transport users. - Baw Baw Shire Council hosts Seniors Festival 2025, featuring free events and activities celebrating connection, creativity and positive ageing
Baw Baw Shire celebrates Victorian Seniors Festival October 2025 with free events, workshops, garden tours, and activities, encouraging seniors to connect, create, celebrate, and enjoy free public transport across Victoria. - Melina Bath launches e-petition urging Labor to enforce gun laws properly and protect law-abiding firearm owners in Gippsland
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath and firearm owner Ryan Weeratunge launch e-petition urging Labor to enforce existing gun laws, avoid rushed changes, and consult law-abiding owners to ensure community safety. - Melina Bath warns rising crime under Labor threatens community safety, as offences increase, calling for stronger police support and tougher laws
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath warns crime rose 12.7% to 640,860 under Labor, with reduced police funding and station hours leaving Victorians unsafe, calling for stronger laws and police support.
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