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Paving the way to better market access for farmers in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley

Program funding for road improvements for better access and faster delivery of produce from the valley.

By news@gippsland - 4th June 2021 - Back to News

Farmers in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley can look forward to a smoother journey from their farm gate to market thanks to a $20 million Andrews Labor Government investment. Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing welcomed the funding which is being delivered through the AgriLinks Upgrade Program to improve Victorian’s vital network of local roads, including $1.174 million for road upgrades in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley.

Upgrading and making roads accessible to improve will increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the agriculture sector

Funding for local road infrastructures

The funding will be used to undertake important local road infrastructure upgrades that will increase agriculture productivity and reduce travel times, better connecting country roads to major transport routes and connecting people in rural, regional and peri-urban areas to local markets and jobs.

Road reconstruction awarded

Baw Baw Shire Council and Latrobe City Council were among 38 rural, regional and peri-urban councils across the state to receive AgriLinks funding. Baw Baw Shire Council has been awarded $824,000 for the reconstruction of Jacksons Track Road while Latrobe City Council has received $350,000 for Stage 3 of the Flynns Creek Road Shoulder Widening Project.

Delivering productivity and safety

The program complements funding provided through the previous Local Roads to Market Program, which supported 78 local projects along Victoria’s rural and regional agricultural freight routes, delivering productivity and safety improvements for farmers and businesses.

Government’s commitment to agriculture

The AgriLinks Upgrade Program is part of the Labor government’s $2.7 billion Building Works package that is getting thousands of Victorians back to work on crucial infrastructure projects around Victoria.

AgriLinks is also another demonstration of the Government’s commitment to deliver on its new Agriculture Strategy. The Agrilinks program is helping to build a Victorian agriculture sector that is strong, innovative and sustainable for many years to come, by supporting producers to be more profitable and ensuring products can be delivered to markets more often.

Reduced travel time

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said, "Time is money, and primary producers, processors and other agri-food supply chain businesses all benefit from being better connected to markets and communities with reduced travel times."

"Improvements to roads and infrastructure all help to grow businesses in this sector and will work alongside other investments such as the Latrobe Valley Food Manufacturing Precinct to get more of our world-class products to customers more quickly."

A full list of councils awarded funding through the AgriLinks Upgrade Program can be found at: better market access.

Pictures from Harriet Shing MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Latrobe City Council launched the Kindness is Key: Stop Bullying campaign, co-designed with students to promote kindness, upstander training, and community action against bullying across local schools.
• Latrobe City Council endorses submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn declared mine rehabilitation plans
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn mine rehabilitation plans, promoting sustainable restoration, strong coordination, environmental accountability, community benefits, and long-term regional resilience.
• Latrobe City events drive tourism, economic growth and community engagement across the region
  Latrobe City hosted major sporting and cultural events in 2024 - 25, attracting over 27,000 attendees and generating $23.5 million in economic impact, reinforcing the region's growing reputation as an events hub.
• Latrobe unites to tackle gambling harm during awareness week: 'Set Before You Bet' 2025
  Latrobe City Council is urging residents to take part in Gambling Harm Awareness Week (27 Oct - 2 Nov) and "Set before you bet" by learning to recognise signs and reduce gambling harm.
• Latrobe Health Assembly to continue, thanks to strong community support and new independent, community-owned future
  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.
• Danny O'Brien urges Allan Labor government to fix online rebate issues affecting CFA and SES volunteers' access to support
  Danny O'Brien has urged the Allan Labor Government to fix the online-only rebate system, saying CFA and SES volunteers struggle to access support and deserve easier, paper-based application options.
• David Littleproud urges Labor to deliver interest-free loans as farmers voice urgent drought forum concerns
  Nationals leader David Littleproud says the Drought Forum reinforced urgent calls for interest-free farm loans, urging Labor to act swiftly as farmers face worsening hardship, particularly in South Australia's dairy industry.
• Entries close for Darren Chester's 14th #lovegippsland Calendar showcasing iconic scenes across Gippsland
  Entries have closed for Darren Chester's 14th #lovegippsland Calendar, with 344 stunning photos submitted capturing Gippsland's iconic landscapes. Winners will feature in the free 2026 calendar, distributed later this year.
• Lightfoot Wines combines tradition, creativity, and Gippsland flavours with award-winning wines, regional platters, and scenic views
  Perched on a limestone bluff above the Mitchell River, Lightfoot Wines blends tradition and innovation, offering tastings, regional platters, and acclaimed wines, cementing its role in Gippsland's food and drink scene.
• Two weeks left to join Darren Chester's 2026 #lovegippsland Calendar Competition celebrating iconic Gippsland
  Two weeks remain to enter Darren Chester's 2026 #lovegippsland calendar competition, celebrating Gippsland's landscapes and talent. Entries close October 3, with winners featured among 30,000 distributed calendars showcasing 'Iconic Gippsland'.
• Danny O'Brien warns Bayside Health merger threatens Gippsland communities, confirming hidden health service consolidation
  Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's Bayside Health merger, warning it will reduce local hospital autonomy, limit community input, and risk services for Gippsland residents, prioritising bureaucratic cost-saving over patient care.
• Tim Bull slammed labor for $13M machete amnesty waste, penalising Gippslanders while failing to target urban crime effectively
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticized Labor's $13 million machete amnesty, calling it wasteful, ineffective, and unfairly punishing rural Victorians while targeting areas with no machete problem.
• Darren Chester and Martin Cameron launch petition urging action on long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass project
  Darren Chester and Martin Cameron have launched a community petition urging state and federal governments to prioritise funding and design work for the long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass to ease congestion.
• Southern Rural Water upgrades over meters across Gippsland to improve accuracy and fair water management
  Southern Rural Water is replacing 1,000+ outdated meters across southern Victoria by 2026, boosting accuracy, compliance, and fair water management under national standards - with no cost to customers.
• Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving, preventing East Gippsland ratepayers covering government shortfalls
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving Victoria, warning councils face doubled contributions while new Emergency Services levy strains East Gippsland and Wellington budgets.
• Have your say on key council plans, policies, and the future direction of South Gippsland through current engagement opportunities
  South Gippsland Shire Council invites community feedback on key draft plans, policies, and the 2026/27 Budget, with in-person engagement opportunities and "Coffee with a Councillor" sessions in October.
• Spring flows planned to support native fish migration and river health across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland CMA's Environmental Water team is planning Spring river flows to support native fish migration, enhance river health, and balance environmental care with community enjoyment of waterways.
• Baw Baw Shire Council secures funding for four key road safety projects through TAC and federal Blackspot Programs
  Baw Baw Shire Council secured TAC and Federal Blackspot funding for four key road safety projects in Warragul and Drouin, targeting high-risk areas with upgrades to improve safety for all road users.