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Neighbourhood Watch Latrobe Crimewatch News, Latrobe Police Service Area October 2013Coming Events, Award for Police CO-Ordinator, Barry Sheen Tribute Ride, Hot Spot, Crime Prevention Tips,Safer Communities Group Reports. By Malcolm Lawrence - 17th October 2013 - Back to News Latrobe Crime Watch News
Latrobe Police Service Area
Neighbourhood Watch Creating Safer Communities
October 2013
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Emergency 000, Mobiles 112, State the service you want – Police, Ambulance or Fire.
Police: Boolarra 5169 6222, Churchill 5122 1790, Moe 5127 2222, Morwell 5131 5000 Traralgon 5174 0900
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000
Neighbourhood Watch & Safer Communities
Unit – Latrobe PSA, L/S/C Brett Godden, 5131 5085, 0400 050 749.
brett.godden@police.vic.gov.au
Facebook: Senior Constable Brett
Child Protection 13 12 78, Consumer Affairs 5116 5701, Dept Primary Industry 136186.
Dispute Settlement Centre 1800 658 528, Latrobe City 1300 367 700.
Nurse on Call 1300 606 024, Poisons Information 13 11 26,
VicRoads 131170
COMING EVENTS: OPEN INVITATION TO ALL LATROBE VALLEY RESIDENTS
Thursday 17th October – Barry Sheen Tribute Ride passes through the Latrobe Valley at approx. 11 am
Saturday 19th October – Emergency Services Fun Day – MERA Park Morwell – free entry – 11am-2pm
Sunday 27th October – Hazelwood Car Show with NHW display – Gaskin Park, Churchill
Monday 28th October - Free Community Safety Forum – Alcohol – Tackling the Issues of the Night - Premier Function Centre, Grey St, Traralgon - 2.00pm – 4.30pm (Doors open from 1.30pm)
Monday 28th October - Free Community Safety Forum – Breaking the Ice – Understanding the Impacts of ICE - Premier Function Centre, Grey St, Traralgon - 6.00pm (Doors open from 5.30pm)
Monday 4th November - Moe/Newborough Town Meeting - Moe RSL – Albert Street, Moe – 7pm
Tuesday 5th November - Traralgon Town Meeting - Traralgon Police Station, Kay St, Traralgon – 7pm
Wednesday 6th November - Morwell Town Meeting – Morwell RSL – Elgin Street, Morwell – 7pm
Tues 19th Nov - Churchill District and Community Assoc Meeting - Churchill Community Hall – 5.30 pm
Wednes 11th December - Yallourn North Town Meeting - Monash Hall Reserve St, Yallourn North –7 pm
STATE AWARD FOR OUR POLICE CO-ORDINATOR
Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden, was named as a recipient of the highest NHW award available, the State Awards of Honour.
On Thursday 10th October 2013, the Honours' Committee of Neighbourhood Watch Victoria presented its 2013 Award winners at the State Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Annual General Meeting held at the Caulfield RSL in Elsternwick.
Each year the NHW Victoria Board of Management calls for members to nominate colleagues worthy of recognition for their outstanding contributions to the NHW program. Nominees can be either civilians or police members.
Eastern Region Division Five Neighbourhood Watch is proud to report our Police Community Liaison Officer and Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator, Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden, was named as a recipient of the highest NHW award available, the State Awards of Honour.
On what turned out to be one of the busiest days in Victoria Police History with 70 raids conducted on Hells Angels Motor Cycle Club clubhouses across the state, NHW Victoria was pleased and honoured Chief Commissioner of Police, Ken Lay, was able to fulfil his commitment to attend the awards ceremony and present the State Awards of Honour and the State Appreciation Award to the recipients, including LSC Godden.
When he presented the award, Mr Lay, who hails from Korumburra, commented to Brett with a smile, "We’re not doing too bad for boys from Gippsland."
Brett was nominated for his honour by a number of Neighbourhood Watchers for amongst other things, the instigation of our division’s electronic Crime Watch Newsletters (Latrobe, Bass Coast, Baw Baw and South Gippsland) and most recently for the administration of the Eyewatch Latrobe Police Service Area Facebook Page.
The State Award of Honour is awarded "for service of an outstanding and exemplary nature to the Neighbourhood Watch Program."
The award acknowledges the outstanding service by an actively involved individual in the pursuit of the aims and objectives of the Neighbourhood Watch Program.
To be selected as the award winner, it must be demonstrated the recipient contributed to minimise the incidence of preventable crime; deter criminal activity by increasing the probability of apprehension; reduce the fear of crime; increase the reporting of crime and suspicious behaviour; improve the degree of personal and household security through education; and expand the program's involvement in wider community safety and crime prevention initiatives.
Mr Lay also presented State Awards of Honour to Tony Aldridge from Manningham, Margaret Handte - Maroondah, Bruce Ripper - Monash, Noel Simpson from Greater Geelong, Allison Summers from Whitehorse, and the Neighbourhood Watch Casey Committee.
The State Appreciation Award went to Bruce Worcester from Melbourne for the work he does with Mildura NHW.
The Minister for Crime Prevention, Edward O’Donohue, presented the State Communication Award to joint winners Whitehorse NHW for its Newsletter and to Casey NHW for the Casey Report and Facebook. Casey NHW also won the David Lentin Award for services to NHW for its Casey Fun Day, which attracted more than 6,000 to the Cranbourne Racecourse.
BARRY SHEENE TRIBUTE RIDE PASSING THROUGH THE LATROBE VALLEY THIS THURSDAY - LOOK LEFT, LOOK RIGHT, LOOK BIKE
Motor Cycle enthusiasts will be well aware that this weekend is the Australian Motor Cycle Grand Prix. This is one of the biggest operations for police in our Eastern Region Division 5 and affects three of our Local Government Area's Latrobe, South Gippsland and of course Bass Coast. The actual event, held on Phillip Island, runs from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 October.
For us in Latrobe, it is the Barry Sheene Tribute Ride that will affect us the most. Latrobe Valley residents should be aware of the vast increase of motor cyclists on our roads this week heading for the Grand Prix and next week on the return ride.
All Latrobe Valley Police will be mobilised this Thursday 17th October and intersections, including those at traffic lights, will be under the control of police members on foot. Traffic lights will be placed on flashing so remember a police officer's hand signals must be obeyed.
With our road fatalities in Latrobe already sitting at seven and our serious injuries at 52 for the year, motorists, including riders, must exercise extreme care this week and remember to LOOK LEFT, LOOK RIGHT, LOOK BIKE.
Also remember to pay attention to the increased number of pedestrians on our roads who take up position to view the riders as they pass through.
Each year for the past 13 years 1,000 motor cyclist (the maximum allowed) join the ride at Bairnsdale from where it departs for Phillip Island. This year the ride departs on Thursday the 17th October at 9.30 a.m. The riders then travel along the Princes Highway and cross into the City of Latrobe at around 11 a.m.
Once in Latrobe the riders head to Kernot Lake in Morwell where they have a lunchtime stopover from 11.30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
The ride then continues and riders proceed along Princes Drive to the McDonald Street Bridge where they turn left and head through the Morwell Central Business District, down Commercial Road to the Strezelecki Highway.
The ride follows the Strezelecki Highway through the South Gippsland towns of Mirboo North and Leongatha until it joins the Bass Highway and continues through Inverloch and Wonthaggi to San Remo.
In San Remo the ride regroups and concludes with a lap around the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit at about 3.50 p.m.
SEPTEMBER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTS
BOOLARRA/YINNAR DISTRICT CRIME REPORT
ASSAULTS - 1 for September (Nil August) - Two offenders charged with unlawful assault during September.
ARSON - Nil for September (Nil August)
PROPERTY DAMAGE - Nil for September (1 August)
BURGLARY - 1 for September (1 August) - Overnight 11th September unknown offenders broke into the Boolarra Primary School stealing cash and cash tins. The tins were later recovered empty.
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for September (August)
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for September (Nil August) - XXM960 1994 a blue Holden sedan was stolen on 27/09/13 from Wicks St, Yinnar and remains outstanding.
CHURCHILL and DISTRICT MEETING and CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES JEERALANG)
ASSAULTS - 3 for September (4 August) - Three offenders charged with assault related offences with one facing two counts of making threats to kill.
ARSON - Nil for September (Nil August)
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 5 for September (6 August) - Two offenders charged whilst police are following up an identified suspect in relation to an incident in Dunbar Gr. Between 6th and 9th September unknown offenders sprayed offensive graffiti tags on walls of a primary school in Williams Ave.
BURGLARY - 3 for September (4 August) - Overnight 1st September unknown offenders entered a factory in Webster St but evidence suggests nothing was stolen whilst on 13th September the door to a church in Maple Cres was forced but again it appears nothing was stolen. Various household items were stolen from a residence in Cutler Cres on 23rd September.
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 7 for September (8 August) - There were three attempted thefts from motor vehicle during September. Various items were stolen from vehicles throughout the residential part of town including keys, wallets, handbags, clothes, an iPod and an iPad.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for September (1 August) - One offender charged.
THEFT - 1 for September (3 August) - A phone which was left behind at the checkout of a supermarket was taken by unknown person on 3rd September. Police remind the community of the offence of theft by finding which is complete when a person does not make reasonable efforts to return property to its owner.
MOE POLICE SERVICE AREA MEETING and CRIME REPORT
ROBBERY - 1 for September (Nil August) - One offender has been charged with armed robbery during September.
ASSAULT - 15 for September (12 August) - Twelve offenders charged with assault related offences whilst police are following up three identified suspects in relation to three other incidents.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 22 for September (17 August) - Eight offenders charged. A number of the damages relate to windows of residences, business or community halls with no apparent attempt to enter the buildings made. Overnight 4th September a number of tags were graffitied on toilets at Lake Narracan.
BURGLARY - 7 for September (7 August) - One offender charged. Apart from a burglary on a butchers in Moore St overnight 19th September where coins were stolen, all other burglaries were on residential premises. Three laptops were stolen between 13th and 17th September from residences in Newark Ave and Boormans St.
THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 4 for September (12 August) - Four hubcaps were stolen from a Mazda parked in a car park in Waterloo Rd on 6th September whilst a number of items were stolen from a ute parked at Lake Narracan on 29th September.
THEFT (OTHER) - 10 for September (17 August) - One offender charged whilst police are following up two identified suspects in relation to two other incidents. A concrete gargoyle statue was stolen from the front yard of a residence in May St overnight 2nd September.
ISSUES RAISED AT THE JOINT EYEWATCH VIRTUAL/PHYSICAL SEPTEMBER MEETING NHW MEETING: Nil issues raised. Discussions on police foot patrols in Moe CBD, Latrobe's road toll of 7 to date, upcoming ICE and alcohol forums and hoon driving.
MORWELL POLICE SERVICE AREA MEETING and CRIME REPORT(INCLUDES TYERS)
ROBBERY - Nil for September (2 August)
ASSAULT - 28 for September (22 August) - In all except four incidents an offender has been charged. Police are following up identified suspects in relation to an incident in Princes Dr on 30th September and in Commercial Rd on 14th September.
ARSON - 1 for September (Nil August) - Police are investigating an intentionally lit fire at a residence in The Avenue on 27th Sept.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 29 for September (25 August) - Thirteen offenders charged whilst police are following up identified suspects in relation to two other incidents.
BURGLARY - 17 for September (5 August) - Two offenders charged whilst police are following up an identified suspect in relation to another burglary. A residence in Heritage Blvd was broken into twice with a large amount of property stolen.
THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 3 for September (11 August) - Coins and fuel were stolen from a vehicle in a residential driveway in The Avenue overnight 7th September whilst two registration plates were stolen from a vehicle in a business car park in Church St overnight 10th September. Unknown offenders stole a CD player from a vehicle in the rear yard of a residence in Franklin St.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 4 for September (Nil August) - Two of the vehicles stolen during September have been recovered. - Still outstanding are: ORE207 – a 1997 Nissan Sedan Green stolen 05/09/13 from Mary St, Morwell and OYQ770 – a 1998 Holden Sedan white stolen 04/09/13 from Butters St, Morwell.
THEFT - 9 for September (11 August) - Police are following up an identified suspect in relation to a theft on 23rd September in Hyland St. A bobcat was stolen overnight from a construction business in Surdex Dr. Evidence suggests a vehicle and trailer would be needed to transport the bobcat from the scene.
ISSUES RAISED AT THE JOINT EYEWATCH VIRTUAL/PHYSICAL SEPTEMBER NHW MEETING: Security at the new Morwell skate park – being monitored by both police and Latrobe City; Speed limit stickers for wheelie bins – taken to Divisional Area Meeting and letter to be written to Latrobe City to garner support; Unsightly houses – please report to Latrobe City. Burnouts at Firmin Lane Roundabout – passed to Latrobe Highway Patrol; 24 hour police station for Churchill – Churchill covered by Morwell after hours. Discussions on Emergency Fun Day at MERA Park 19 October; Hazelwood Car Show at Gaskin Park Churchill 27 October;
TRARALGON POLICE SERVICE AREA MEETING and CRIME REPORT
(INCLUDES GLENGARRY, TOONGABBIE, HAZELWOOD NORTH, TRARALGON SOUTH)
ROBBERY - 2 for September (1 August) - Two offenders charged with robbery whilst police are investigating a robbery which occurred in Victory Park on 14th September.
ASSAULT - 29 for September (23 August) - In all incidents an offender or offenders have been charged with assault related offences with some facing multiple charges.
ARSON - 2 for September (1 August) - Two offenders charged with criminal damage by fire whilst police are investigating a small grass fire in Craigburn Pl on 24th September.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 32 for September (39 August) - Fourteen offenders charged. Two young males were seen in the grounds of Flinders College around the time two glass doors were damaged on 23rd September. Overnight 10th September two vehicles in the Clift Crt/Osborne St area were damaged.
BURGLARY - 12 for September (13 August) - Burglaries during September were evenly spread between business premises and residential premises. Windows and rear doors were the main points of entry with cash the main item stolen. A large amount of copper was stolen from a factory in Janette St around 15th September.
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 20 for September (23 August) - Three offenders charged. Thirteen of the thefts occurred in the residential area with seven of the vehicles being unlocked at the time. Cash/coins (4), wallets (3) and GPS Units (3) were amongst the items stolen.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for September (Nil August)
THEFT - 13 for September (15 August) - Three offenders charged. Garden tools were stolen from the rear of a residence in Hyde Park Rd overnight 9th September whilst a three piece outdoor setting was stolen from a residence in Ellavale Dr on 17th September.
ISSUES RAISED AT THE JOINT EYEWATCH VIRTUAL/PHYSICAL SEPTEMBER NHW MEETING: Noisy neighbours who do not comply – Police have powers to seize under the EPA so discuss with local police; Lack of counter service at Traralgon Police Station – Reported to the duty sergeant; Security at CBD taxi rank – to be raised at the next CBD Safety Committee Meeting; Discussions on CCTV cameras in the CBD; VicRoads no longer issuing registration labels; NHW area for Glengarry – Brett has been invited to the next Glengarry Community Meeting and may incorporate at NHW report into future meetings. If so, we will start providing separate Glengarry Crime Report as we do for all other active NHW areas.
YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORT
The next Yallourn North Neighbourhood Watch Town Meeting will be on Wednesday 11th December at the Monash Hall Reserve St, Yallourn North, commencing at 7pm. All members of the public are invited. Please note the new venue.
ASSAULT - 1 for September (Nil August) - One offender was charged with recklessly cause injury during September.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - Nil for September (1 August)
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for September (2 August)
CRIME PREVENTION TIPS – LOCK IT, REMOVE IT OR LOSE IT.
Leaving cars unlocked in car parks, on the nature strip, in the street and even in your own driveway makes the vehicle more vulnerable to theft. Sadly, this now rings true even in our small towns and rural areas.
The majority of the vehicles entered are left unlocked making it extremely easy for offenders to remove items such as GPS units, handbags, purses and wallets containing credit cards and cash, mobile phones, laptops and iPods and iPad tablets.
The community can take responsibility by following these simple rules for the security of cars.
- Always lock your car before leaving it, even when you are parked in your own driveway or a car park.
- Do not leave loose change in the centre console of your car. It adds up very quickly.
- Never leave valuables where they can be seen. Items such as CDs, wallets, mobile phones, iPods, laptops or personal identification sitting out in the open in a car are a temptation to thieves.
- If you need to leave these items in your car place them somewhere they cannot be seen.
- Surreptitiously hide your property before you get out of the car because thieves may be monitoring the car park and be watching you.
POLICE LIFE
Police Life is Victoria Police's official magazine.
In each edition you will find articles about police across the state, true crime stories, tales of good arrests as well as police station profiles and the latest policing initiatives.
It is published quarterly and distributed across the state and interstate to serving and former Victoria Police members, other law enforcement agencies, schools, parliamentarians, libraries, legal firms, the media, community members with an interest in policing or those looking to pursue a career in policing.
Read the Spring 2013 issue of Police Life online at http://issuu.com/policelife or visit your local police station to pick up a copy.
FOR POLICE ASSISTANCE OR TO REPORT A CRIME
Police remind the community if they see something suspicious they should ring 000 or if they have information in relation to an offence contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au.
CRIME PREVENTION TIPS – HOLIDAY HOME SECURITY
An empty home is a prime target for intruders because they have less chance of being disturbed and the offence can go undetected for days or even weeks. Intruders always look for signs that a home is unoccupied. The longer the home is unoccupied, the more vulnerable it becomes. If you rent your home out remember to:
- Check all doors and windows are securely locked after every tenancy is completed;
- Install electrical timers that automatically switch on lights and tune the radio to a talk-back
- program during the day so your house looks and sounds "normal" and install external sensor lights;
- Disconnect the electrical pad on radio controlled or electronic garage doors and use a strong auxiliary key lock instead;
- Do not leave keys concealed outside the house. Arrange for them to be picked up away from the home.
- If you must advertise the availability of your home for rent on social media, limit the photos you publish so as not to show valuable items such as flat screen televisions.
- Remember, if you advertise on social media, including the internet and Facebook, you are advertising the date when your home will be empty. This is a treasure trove of information for burglars. Remember, they search the net too!
LIKE US ON FACE BOOK
EYEWATCH - LATROBE POLICE SERVICE AREA
Creating Safer Communities
You can 'Like' the Latrobe Police Service Area Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/eyewatchlatrobepsa
Eyewatch is aiming for 5000 likes. Thank You For Your Support
HOT SPOT – POLICE NEEDS THE PUBLIC'S HELP
POLICE CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR PAROLE BREAKER, WHEREABOUTS REQUIRED FOR WAYNE LESLIE NORRIS
Detectives from the Fugitive Taskforce continue to appeal for the public's assistance to locate parole breaker Wayne Leslie Norris, who it is believed may be in the Latrobe Valley or Baw Baw areas.
Norris was convicted at the Melbourne Supreme Court in 2006 for manslaughter, aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle following the death of Lee Bridge in Warragul in 2005.
Norris breached his parole on 22 August by not complying with his release conditions and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
Norris is described as being 30 years of age, medium build, 175cm tall with brown hair and hazel eyes.
Members of the public are urged not to approach him but to report any sightings of him immediately on 000.
Police urge anyone who may have information related to Norris’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers on: 1800 333 000 or visit: https://vic.crimestoppers.com.au/help-solve-crime/report-crime-information-here
HOT SPOT- POLICE NEEDS THE PUBLIC'S HELP
30 THEFTS FROM CARS SO FAR IN TRARALGON
Police continue to be frustrated as they investigate the never-ending stream of avoidable thefts from motor vehicles. They are at a loss as to how to get the message through to people they need to lock their cars to deter the opportunistic thief.
Since the 1st of October there have been 30 incidents of thefts from cars reported in Traralgon. Nearly all incidents are occurring overnight, in residential areas with vehicles unlocked or no signs of forced entry. Most of the items stolen were wallets, purses, cash and GPS units.
Latrobe Police are appealing for the public's assistance in three ways. Firstly, ensure you lock your car at all times including when it is parked in your own driveway.
For crime prevention tips to prevent becoming a victim of theft from motor vehicle incident visit the Victoria Police web site at http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=9562
Secondly, if you see any suspicious behaviour around cars, no matter how minor, report it immediately on 000.
Thirdly, police urge any other person who may have information related to these incidents to contact Crime Stoppers on: 1800 333 000 or visit: www.crimestoppers.com.au or ring Latrobe Criminal Investigation Unit on 5131 7028.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au
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Defunded in the 2025 State Budget, the Latrobe Health Assembly will continue as a leaner, community-owned organisation tackling local health and wellbeing challenges through collaboration and grassroots leadership. - Latrobe City Council endorses community engagement on draft financial, asset, and road management plans
Council endorsed community engagement on key draft plans, including the Financial, Asset, and Road Management Plans, ensuring alignment with the Community Vision, Council Plan, and long-term strategic planning framework. - Victoria’s crime crisis worsens as police numbers fall, offences rise, and station hours are reduced under Labor government
Victoria’s crime crisis worsens under Labor with 368 fewer police, rising offences, unsolved cases, reduced station hours, and retail theft surging, prompting calls for proper resourcing and crime prevention. - Gippsland New Energy Conference showcases Latrobe City as Australia's leading hub for renewable energy innovation
Latrobe City hosted the 2025 Gippsland New Energy Conference, attracting 1,000 attendees and showcasing the region's renewable energy leadership, delivering major economic benefits and fostering industry, government, and community collaboration. - Martin Cameron urges Labor government funding commitment on Latrobe Valley mental health unit urgently needing expansion
The Nationals’ Martin Cameron urges Allan Labor Government to urgently expand Latrobe Regional Health’s mental health unit, citing critically limited beds and growing demand for timely care in Gippsland. - 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. - Martin Cameron urges Labor government to enforce tobacco licensing, protect Latrobe Valley businesses from organised crime threats
Martin Cameron urges Allan Labor Government to increase tobacco inspector numbers, enforce licensing, and protect Latrobe Valley businesses from organised crime threatening local shops and operators. - Serious crime rises reflect community concerns, worsened by Labor's cuts, weakened bail, reduced youth programs, says Melina Bath
Crime in Eastern Victoria has reached a 20-year high, with Melina Bath condemning Labor's soft approach, police under-resourced, and The Nationals vowing stronger laws, prevention programs, and community safety reforms. - Sale’s burnt police station must be cleared and redeveloped after 11 years of government inaction, says Danny O’Brien
Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urges Allan Labor Government to clear and redevelop Sale’s old police station site after 11 years of inaction, following its recent deliberate burning. - Martin Cameron says Labor fails on crime, wasting millions on machete bins instead of protecting Gippsland
Crime in Latrobe has surged under Labor, with Moe incidents up 26% and retail theft 65%. Nationals' Martin Cameron says only their Safer Communities Plan will restore safety. - Danny O’Brien says Crime Statistics Agency figures reveal rising serious assaults and theft across Gippsland communities
Crime is rising across Gippsland, with assaults, thefts, and burglaries increasing sharply, prompting Nationals’ Danny O’Brien to call for stronger police resourcing, law reforms, and preventative measures. - Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's police station maintenance cuts despite backflip restoring partial funding for grounds upkeep
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor's partial backflip on police station maintenance cuts, saying Gippsland officers deserve safe, clean workplaces and stronger government support amid rising regional crime rates. - Danny O’Brien warns 33 percent crime rise highlights Gippsland commuters’ safety concerns, lacking adequate PSO protection
Crime on Gippsland public transport has risen nearly 33% in 12 months, raising concerns about PSO coverage and regional commuter safety under the Allan Labor government. - Labor government slammed as Gippsland crime soars, Danny O'Brien warns communities are failed by weak laws
Danny O'Brien says Gippsland crime is surging under Labor, with major increases across all councils. He warns weakened laws, police shortages, and neglect leave communities unsafe, demanding stronger action and real consequences. - Melina Bath urges action on Gippsland youth crime with tougher penalties, stronger policing, and restored diversion funding
Melina Bath has demanded urgent action on Gippsland's escalating youth crime, calling for tougher penalties, stronger police presence, and restored diversion program funding to protect communities and restore safety. - CFMEU corruption report exposes organised crime links, $15B project blowouts, prompting Melina Bath to demand Labor accountability
The ‘Rotting from the Top’ report exposes serious CFMEU corruption, links to organised crime, and $15 billion in project blowouts, prompting Nationals MP Melina Bath to demand Allan Labor government accountability. - Tim Bull says rising retail crime reflects Victoria’s weak approach, despite claims of toughest bail laws
Retail theft is surging in East Gippsland, with repeat offenders emboldened. Tim Bull calls for tougher penalties, accountability, and support for struggling households to protect businesses and local communities. - Tim Bull slams Labor's cuts to 'Youth Crime Prevention', unveils $100M Safer Communities Plan
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticised Labor's youth crime prevention cuts, promoting The Nationals' $100 million Safer Communities Plan combining tougher laws with prevention programs to improve safety and restore community confidence. - Nationals' $100M Safer Communities Plan targets crime crisis with tough laws and prevention programs across Gippsland
Martin Cameron backed a $100 million Safer Communities Plan, promising tougher laws and prevention programs to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, restore community safety, and support at-risk youth, contrasting Labor's cuts. - Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement. - Martin Cameron demands action as data reveals dangerous one-star safety ratings on Latrobe Valley roads
Nationals MP Martin Cameron has condemned the poor safety of Latrobe Valley roads, after state data revealed many key routes rated one or two stars, demanding urgent government action. - Darren Chester welcomes $6.2M Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment with upgraded facilities for Latrobe Valley sports clubs
Darren Chester welcomed the $6.2 million Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment, providing modern changerooms and upgraded facilities through joint funding to support Latrobe Valley sports and long-term community participation. - Martin Cameron slams Labor’s delayed Loy Yang rehabilitation plan, calling it tone-deaf and ignoring immediate Latrobe Valley job losses
Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Labor’s delayed Loy Yang rehabilitation plan, calling it tone-deaf, failing to provide immediate jobs or industry support for the Latrobe Valley amid coal power closures. - Martin Cameron questions Labor government for denying regional crime crisis and the ongoing failures of 'Bail Laws'
The Nationals' Martin Cameron has accused the Allan Labor government of failing Victorians with weak bail laws, after repeat offenders continue to walk free and regional crime remains out of control. - Darren Chester joins East Gippsland community to honour fallen Victoria police officers on Remembrance Day
Darren Chester joined the East Gippsland community for National Police Remembrance Day in Bairnsdale, honouring Victoria Police officers who lost their lives and recognising those who continue to serve. - Martin Cameron slams Energy Minister D'Ambrosio's false claims on power prices and jobs in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron condemned Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's claims of delivering for Latrobe Valley, citing soaring power prices, weak jobs growth, and neglect of residents during Victoria's energy transition. - Mayor Rochelle Halstead honoured with MAV 10-year Service Award for her dedication to local government
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead has received the MAV 10-Year Service Award, recognising her decade of dedicated leadership, advocacy, and commitment to strengthening local government and the Bass Coast community. - Bass Coast celebrates Victorian Seniors Festival this October with events, workshops, performances and community connection
The Victorian Seniors Festival returns to Bass Coast this October with the theme Connect, Create, Celebrate, offering workshops, performances, games, tours, and free transport for Seniors Card holders. - Victorian Agency for Health Information data shows ambulance services declining due to Labor's under‑resourcing, mismanagement and denial
The latest data shows Victoria’s ambulance service declining, with fewer than 64% of Code 1 responses within 15 minutes, highlighting regional delays, under‑resourcing, and mismanagement under the Allan Labor government. - Wellington Shire Council awards $130,997 to 27 community groups supporting events and volunteer initiatives across the Middle of Everywhere
Wellington Shire Council has awarded $130,997 to 27 community groups supporting arts, events, sports, infrastructure, inclusion, and volunteer initiatives, strengthening participation and connection across the Middle of Everywhere region. - 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. - East Gippsland Australia Day Awards celebrate community spirit, honouring events and initiatives making meaningful impact in 2026
The 2026 East Gippsland Australia Day Awards honoured the Winter Festival and Breast Care Support Fund for fostering connection, generosity, and community spirit across the region. - Carbon Calculator Events for farm emissions, accounting, and carbon farming insights for farmers
Attend the free Carbon Calculator Events on 28 October and 11 November 2025 in Traralgon to learn carbon farming, accounting, and estimate your farm's emissions footprint. Registration required. - East Gippsland Council launches pool and spa safety inspection service to ensure compliance and protect residents
East Gippsland Council reminds residents to ensure pools and spas meet safety regulations and offers a $385 Barrier Compliance Inspection Service, including inspection, report, follow-up, certification, and database lodgement. - Phillip Island gears up for the return of MotoGP and Marquee October events across Bass Coast
Phillip Island hosts a huge October of events, headlined by the 2025 MotoGP, drawing 100,000 fans for racing, music, and entertainment, with free Community Day tickets and Cowes transformed into an entertainment hub. - Darren Chester praises volunteers powering Traralgon International’s global success, showcasing Gippsland worldwide tennis event
Federal MP Darren Chester has praised Latrobe Valley volunteers for driving the success of the Traralgon International, highlighting their dedication, community pride and vital role in showcasing Gippsland globally. - From Job expos to farms and sports awards connecting communities across East Gippsland through events and advocacy
From jobs expos to farm visits, sports awards, and community projects, recent weeks highlighted East Gippsland's talent, resilience, and collaboration, advocacy, and opportunities that strengthen local communities.
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