Gippsland › Latest news › Darren Chester MP

Major funding, cost-of-living relief and community investment at stake for Gippslanders this federal election

Gippslanders face a critical choice this federal election, with major Coalition funding promises for roads, community projects, and cost-of-living relief, alongside a commitment to keep delivering jobs, infrastructure, and services.

By news@gippsland - 25th April 2025 - Back to News

There's a lot at stake for Gippslanders as they go to the polls at this federal election. A successful Coalition Government has made major funding commitments that will help Gippslanders with the cost of living and also invest in our communities with more than $40 million for local priority projects.

Darren Chester's community work has secured record funding for major projects, vital service upgrades, and strong regional advocacy nationwide

Backing local infrastructure

After three years of being ignored by the Albanese Government, I have secured funding commitments from my Coalition colleagues to deliver better roads and community facilities across our region.

Firstly, there's more than $17 million in additional funding for Latrobe City, Wellington Shire and East Gippsland Shire through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. This successful program allows Councils to work with communities to fund priority projects like playgrounds, walking trails, road improvements and hall upgrades.

Funding local priorities

We have also secured funding commitments for specific projects, including:

• $5 million for final planning and design of Traralgon by-pass on the Princes Highway
• $5 million for Krauatungalung Walk final stage in Lakes Entrance
• $2.7 million for Orbost Snowy River Rail Trestle Bridge
• $2 million for Sale Common Wetlands Boardwalk
• $2.5 million for Traralgon Men's Shed
• $3 million for Lakes Entrance Fishermen's Co-operative redevelopment
• $1.5 million for Stretton Park Aged Care refurbishment
• $2.5 million for Gaskin Park Churchill change rooms
• $400,000 for Cameron Park in Maffra
• $1 million for Maffra Vehicle Collection roof replacement

In addition to funding for community facilities, the Coalition has released a detailed policy plan to help with the cost of living, including cutting fuel excise by 25 cents per litre, a $1200 tax offset for people earning up to $144,000 per year, and additional support for first home buyers.

Proven local leadership

As the only candidate with a proven track record of delivering for our community, I'm asking all Gippslanders to consider giving me their number one vote at the election. I love Gippsland and I'm proud to have raised my family in our beautiful part of the world.

By working with the community, I've been able to deliver record funding for large and small projects, major improvements to local services, and give our region a strong voice on local and national issues.

Projects like $400 million for the duplication of the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale; $385 million to redevelop East Sale RAAF Base into the home of pilot training; $500 million for Gippsland rail upgrades; and $50 million for the modernisation of Macalister Irrigation District didn't just happen.

Delivering for Gippsland

It took experience, determination and commitment from my team to advocate on behalf of our community and deliver the results we needed. I have the passion and energy to keep getting results for Gippsland.

We need to keep putting locals first, supporting one another, and building an even better Gippsland. My plan is to keep working, to make our community the best place in regional Australia to live, work, visit and raise a family. If I'm successful at the Federal election, you can trust me to keep working hard to deliver:

• More jobs for local people
• Government policies to protect our national security and keep Australians safe in a changing world
• Lower cost of living for Gippsland families
• Funding for recovery from fires, floods and droughts
• Better schools, hospitals, aged care, disability and childcare services
• Better, safer roads and rail services
• Improved mobile phone and telecommunication services
• Practical and sustainable policies to protect our rivers, lakes, coast and unique natural environment
• Investment in tracks, trails, bike paths and facilities for locals and the visitor economy
• Local sporting and community projects to improve our lifestyle

In this job, there's always more to be done, and I would be honoured to continue as your representative in Federal Parliament.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com