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Assured funding commitment for Victorian Neighbourhood Houses from Victorian Nationals if elected

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien welcomed the funding commitment which he said would provide certainty for Neighbourhood Houses.

By news@gippsland - 10th August 2022 - Back to News

The future of Victorian Neighbourhood Houses will be assured if The Nationals are elected to government in November this year after a commitment to long-term funding was made last week. The state government had made a limited four-year commitment in 2018 followed by a smaller two-year commitment in May this year, leaving the sector in limbo beyond 2024.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South Danny O'Brien with (l-r) Kaitlin Hill and Sophie Tatterson at Sale Neighbourhood House

Services for the community

Mr O'Brien said, "Neighbourhood Houses are an invaluable asset to local residents. Ongoing funding is crucial to ensure our Neighbourhood Houses can attract high-calibre staff so that they can continue to deliver an incredible range of services to the community.

"Whether it's through small training offerings, material support for those in need or assisting with access to government services, our neighbourhood houses play an important role in the community - particularly for those less well off. In smaller towns the Houses also offer a general place for the community to drop in and socialise." Mr O'Brien said.

Failure concerns

Mr O'Brien continued, "The Nationals recognise the importance of the vital community services our Neighbour Houses provide and that is why we will ensure their future through a commitment to ongoing funding."

"I have been contacted by a number of local Neighbourhood Houses who hold real concern for how the failure to offer long term funding to their sector will impact them."

"Gippsland South simply cannot afford to lose its local Neighbourhood Houses and only The Nationals and Liberals in government will ensure their future." Mr O'Brien concluded.

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• 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.
• Danny O’Brien delivers hundreds of donated nappies to Vinnies, supporting Gippsland families in need across the region
  Danny O’Brien has donated hundreds of unused nappies to Vinnies, collected via The Nappy Collective, helping Gippsland families experiencing "nappy stress" and encouraging ongoing community support.
• 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.
• Martin Cameron criticises Labor’s ensured failure by hastening coal plant closures without planning baseload power replacements
  The Victorian Auditor-General warns a "disorderly energy transition" could cause power shortages, soaring prices, and job losses, with Labor’s accelerated coal closures and mismanaged renewable planning worsening the crisis.
• Danny O'Brien announces finalised Loch Sport groyne designs, Gippsland Ports to seek tenders before Christmas
  Erosion works on Loch Sport foreshore will begin next year, with designs finalised for new groynes. Danny O'Brien praised the community's persistence and vowed to push for further coastal protection.
• Michelle Garvan of Lakes Entrance honoured with national medals for outstanding dedication and service to community safety
  Six Victorian lifesavers have been awarded National Medals, recognising 15-25 years of dedicated volunteer service protecting the community and ensuring public safety in Australian waterways.
• Gippsland students return to classrooms rated poor or below average, exposing Labor’s neglect of regional schools, says Danny O'Brien
  As Gippsland students return to school in 2026, 18 regional schools are rated poor or below average, highlighting Labor’s neglect and urgent need for infrastructure investment, says Danny O’Brien.
• Gippsland Water welcomes five local women into STEM internships, promoting diversity, innovation, and career pathways for students
  Gippsland Water welcomed five local women into STEM internships, providing real-world experience, mentoring, and career pathways while promoting diversity, inclusion, and innovation across multiple departments this summer.
• 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.