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Victoria's Disaster Recovery Heritage Grants fund restoration of Stony Creek rail bridge and Omeo WWII trenches

The Allan Labor government's Disaster Recovery Heritage Grants will fund repairs for Nowa Nowa's Stony Creek Rail Bridge and Omeo WWII Tambo Trenches, preserving East Gippsland's history and strengthening local tourism.

By news@gippsland - 5th February 2025 - Back to News

The Allan Labor government is helping revive and restore some of Victoria's most treasured heritage landmarks after they were damaged by natural disasters through a new grants program. Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh announced today that two local heritage sites would be included among the recipients of the first round of Disaster Recovery Heritage Grants for sites damaged by floods, storms and bushfires.

The Victorian government's Disaster Recovery Heritage Grants help restore historic sites damaged by natural disasters, including the 2022 Victorian floods

Heritage disaster recovery

DEECA will receive $230,000 for works on the Stony Creek Rail Bridge at Nowa Nowa, covering vital repairs, a condition assessment, disaster planning, and other works for the bridge, which was impacted by bushfires and floods, and is at risk. The bridge is a popular attraction for tourists, and was constructed by Victorian Railways in 1916, spanning 270 metres.

The Omeo Historical Society is also receiving $50,000 so they can document the Volunteer Defence Tambo Trenches, which were impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires. These funds will allow the Historical Society to guide the long-term management and protection of the site, which was originally built by volunteer defence corps in World War II, in anticipation of an air attack and invasion.

The Disaster Recovery Heritage Grants program was launched last year to help repair heritage sites impacted by extreme weather events, particularly to help small community organisations that needed more support after their insurance and damages were assessed following the October 2022 floods. Victoria's heritage sites contribute approximately $2.4 billion each year towards the state's tourism industry and support around 185,000 jobs. For a full list of successful projects visit Victoria State Government website.

Heritage restoration commitment

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said, "We're not just restoring heritage landmarks - we're ensuring these sites are better equipped to withstand future floods and natural disasters that come their way. By supporting the recovery of these much-loved landmarks, we're making sure they remain a source of pride, identity, and connection for their communities while keeping them alive as part of our state's rich history."

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said, "This work will preserve and strengthen the two sites - not just as part of East Gippsland's history, but also as tourist attractions for years to come."

Nowa Nowa Community Development Group President Bernie Rossi said, "On behalf of the Nowa Nowa community, I would like to thank the state government for their support with regards to the Stony Creek Bridge. These types of initiatives are so important to small towns like ours and can be the difference between a thriving town and one that simply disappears."

Pictures from Victorian Heritage website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticises Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, a proven reform to enhance police powers, remove dangerous weapons, and improve community safety against knife-related violence.
• 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.
• Melina Bath denounces Allan government’s $13M machete amnesty as wasteful, ineffective stunt
  Melina Bath slammed the Allan government’s $13 million machete amnesty as wasteful, ineffective, and politically motivated, criticising costly bins, media stunts, and lack of real impact on knife crime.
• Tim Bull criticises Labor government for mismanagement, volunteer cuts, and inadequate fuel reduction ahead of high-risk summer season
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull warns communities face extreme bushfire risk this summer due to Labor’s volunteer cuts, ageing CFA fleet, inadequate fuel reduction, and failure to implement Royal Commission recommendations.
• Melina Bath condemns Labor for blocking protest bill and failing to protect police, businesses, and public safety
  Labor, backed by the Greens and minor parties, blocked Nationals and Liberals legislation to ban protest face coverings, which Melina Bath said betrayed police, small businesses, and public safety across Victoria.
• Martin Cameron condemns Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, pledges action to combat knife crime
  Martin Cameron condemned the Allan Labor government for blocking Jack’s Law, pledging to introduce it if elected, giving police powers to combat knife crime, following its success in other Australian states.
• Darren Chester warns Labor gun law changes unfairly target regions, distract from government extremism failures
  Gippsland MP Darren Chester says Labor’s firearm law changes unfairly punish regional Australians, distract from failures tackling anti-Semitism and extremism, and won’t prevent terrorism like the Bondi attack tragedy violence.
• 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 condemns Labor for empty social housing amid growing waitlists and rental shortages in Gippsland
  Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for leaving social housing vacant as waitlists grow, citing fewer homes, shrinking rental availability, rising costs, and failed policies driving investment away in Gippsland South.
• Melina Bath criticises Labor for six-year delay restoring Thurra River Campground after 2019-20 bushfires
  Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath criticises Labor’s six-year delay restoring Thurra River Campground, highlighting unsafe facilities, limited capacity, and urgent need for infrastructure replacement to support local families and tourism.
• David Littleproud says farmers won major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds
  Nationals Leader David Littleproud says farmers have won a major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds.
• Danny O'Brien criticises Labor for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, inconveniencing locals
  Danny O'Brien condemns the Labor government for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, restricting public access and causing significant inconvenience for Gippsland communities who rely on local court assistance.
• Danny O’Brien criticises Labor’s $650M Delburn wind farm investment ignoring local community concerns
  Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien criticises Labor’s $650 million Delburn wind farm investment, calling it a waste of taxpayers’ money that ignores local community concerns about fire, noise, and visual impact.
• Melina Bath criticises Labor government, calling Myki's delayed tap-and-go rollout a "mythical unicorn," outdated and incompatible
  Victoria's long-promised tap-and-go public transport system has been delayed until 2028, leaving commuters, especially in regional areas, still reliant on outdated Myki cards and paper tickets
• 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.
• Melina Bath launches e-petition urging Labor to enforce gun laws properly and protect law-abiding firearm owners in Gippsland
  Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath and firearm owner Ryan Weeratunge launch e-petition urging Labor to enforce existing gun laws, avoid rushed changes, and consult law-abiding owners to ensure community safety.
• Yarram - Explore Heesco Town murals, vibrant street art, lush rainforests, coastal walks, local cuisine, and Gippsland heritage
  Yarram, a charming Gippsland town, features over 25 Heesco murals, lush rainforests, coastal walks, local seafood, wineries, heritage sites, and the Great Southern Rail Trail.
• Baw Baw Shire to host community barbecues supporting farmers through 'Look Over the Farm Gate' grants
  Baw Baw Shire Council will host five community barbecues supporting farmers' wellbeing through Look Over the Farm Gate grants, offering connection, resources, and mental health support amid ongoing dry conditions.
• 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.
• 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.