Gippsland › Latest news › Darren Chester MP
Delays on commitment to assist with bushfire impacted Ensay and Sarsfield Recreation Reserves from Andrews Labor government
Concerns on the delayed government commitment to the bushfire impacted communities.
I rise to raise my concerns in relation to delays by the current government in honouring a commitment to bushfire impacted communities made prior to the May federal budget. I refer specifically to the $2.3 million for the Ensay Recreation Reserve and the $3.6 million for the Sarsfield Recreation Reserve.
Bushfire impacted communities shouldn't need to fight again to secure much-needed funding for their facilities
Provide value for taxpayers' money
I have provided the new minister, Minister McBride, with a copy of a letter from former minister Joyce which clearly stated that the 2022-23 budget would provide funding under the Community Development Grants Program to these communities.
To be clear, these commitments were not contingent upon the May election result. It is my understanding that they were both assessed to have merit and provide value for taxpayers' money well before the government entered caretaker mode.
Honouring the commitment
A failure by this new government to support both these projects would amount to an enormous breach of trust with two communities that were directly impacted by the Black Summer bushfires. The people in my community are fatigued.
They shouldn't need to fight again to secure much-needed funding for community facilities. Many of these people have had to rebuild their own homes. They've had to fix burnt assets on their own properties. They've already suffered emotionally and mentally from the devastating fires.
This ongoing uncertainty four months after we believed we'd already won the fight to secure the funding is simply retraumatising residents in my region. I urge the new minister to do the decent thing and honour the commitment of $5.9 million for Sarsfield and Ensay immediately.
Pictures from East Gippsland Shire Council Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Darren Chester promotes Mobile Service Centres that offer essential government services like Centrelink and Medicare across Gippsland
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Gippsland Water adds customer care pop-ups for in-person payment support in Sale, Drouin, Warragul for July and Moe in August 2024
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Latrobe River Bridge at Tyers had completion delayed to August 2024 frustrating residents with safety concerns
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Baw Baw Shire attends 2024 Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly in Canberra advocating peri urban areas
Enjoy free chicken parma while listening to inspiring story of Warren Davies South Gippsland Farmer on 22 July 2024 at Mirboo North Hotel
Join Latrobe City Council and Planet Ark for National Tree Day 2024 at W H Burrage Reserve in Newborough on 28 July 2024
Latrobe City Council requests Planning Panel for Amendment C144 for Traralgon West Precinct on 9 September 2024
Latrobe Valley clubs excelled at 2024 Community Clubs Victoria awards with Morwell and Moe clubs earning top honours
Warragul Leisure Centre $11M expansion of community sports facilities opens 28 July 2024