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Council seeks Labor commitment to expansion of RAAF East SaleWellington Shire Council will be calling on the Labor Party to publicly commit to the expansion of RAAF East Sale, in the event that it becomes the next Government, during a meeting with Shadow Minister for Defence Kim Beazley on Monday 6 September. By Wellington Shire Council - 3rd September 2004 - Back to News A council delegation, led by Mayor Jeff Amos and Chief Executive Officer Lyndon Webb, will take the opportunity to discuss the issue with Mr Beazley as part of his visit to the shire.
The reassurance being sought over the base’s future follows commitment provided already by the Federal Government to expand the facility, by transferring the Officer Training College from Point Cook to East Sale. Preliminary work has already started on the move, with construction work earmarked to commence by the end of 2005 and completion expected in 2008.
The Wellington Shire Council-led push for the base has been greatly assisted by the invaluable support provided by a committee of leading local community representatives – formed to lobby for its expansion.
Said Mayor Jeff Amos: "It’s vitally important that we get the Labor Party to commit to the project in the same way as the present Government, so that whatever the outcome of the coming federal election the expansion of RAAF East Sale is assured and secure.
"Whilst we have received private, verbal assurance from the previous shadow minister that the project is safe, now is the ideal time for Mr Beazley to make the Labor Party’s commitment public.
"The base brings substantial economic benefit to Wellington Shire and Gippsland, currently representing around $20 million a year. The transfer of the Officer Training College will help further enhance the prosperity of the region long into the future and we will be emphasising this to the shadow minister. It will also assist the Government, by building on the excellent training skills already provided by RAAF East Sale."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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East Gippsland Jobs Expo on October 8 will connect job seekers with employers, training providers and employment services, showcasing local career pathways and workforce opportunities across the region. - East Gippsland communities transform emergency water tanks into vibrant murals celebrating resilience, recovery and local stories
East Gippsland communities have transformed emergency water tanks into vibrant murals celebrating resilience and recovery, with artworks completed at four locations and three more projects planned for Gipsy Point, South Buchan and Benambra. - East Gippsland Landcare Groups secure funding for environmental projects and community conservation across the region
East Gippsland Landcare groups received 22 project and 11 support grants under the 2026 Victorian program, funding habitat restoration, weed management, biodiversity, education and volunteer activities. - East Gippsland welcomes 27 new Australians from 13 countries at citizenship ceremony on Australian Citizenship Day
East Gippsland welcomed 27 new Australians from 13 countries at a citizenship ceremony in Lucknow, celebrating Australian Citizenship Day and the diversity new citizens bring to the community. - Bass Coast and South Gippsland businesses invited to connect, collaborate and network at upcoming Meet the Makers event in Meeniyan on 13 October 2026
Local producers, makers and hospitality businesses across Bass Coast and South Gippsland are invited to Meet the Makers in Meeniyan on October 13, offering networking, collaboration and showcasing opportunities. - Sale residents urged to safely dispose of hazardous household chemicals at free Detox Your Home event on 10 October 2026
Wellington Shire residents can safely dispose of unwanted hazardous household chemicals at a free Detox Your Home event in Sale, helping protect waterways, people, animals and the environment. - Sale coffee cup campaign spreads strong community message against domestic and family violence across local businesses
Sale's Rotary Club has launched a coffee cup awareness campaign against domestic and family violence, with MPs Darren Chester and Danny O'Brien urging businesses and residents to support the initiative. - Free green waste disposal helps East Gippsland residents prepare properties for upcoming bushfire season from 1 to 30 November 2026
East Gippsland residents can dispose of eligible green waste free throughout November to reduce bushfire risks. Council also encourages safe gas bottle disposal and separating green waste from general rubbish to save fees. - Gippsland families face rising cost pressures as Nationals criticise Labor government over interest rates, spending and inflation
The Nationals say rising interest rates are increasing pressure on Gippsland families, criticising Labor’s spending and inflation while outlining plans for budget discipline, tax cuts and productivity. - Working together to secure East Gippsland's water future through integrated water management
East Gippsland CMA and regional partners are collaborating through Integrated Water Management to address climate, flooding, population growth, stormwater, recycled water and wetland protection challenges while planning sustainable projects. - Marlo named sole East Gippsland finalist in Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, celebrating community spirit
Marlo was East Gippsland’s sole finalist in the Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, recognised for its authentic visitor experiences and strong community-driven tourism campaign. - Martin Cameron seeks government answers over delays threatening Latrobe Magnesium's commercial project and regional investment
Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost. - Have your say on Wellington Shire Draft Urban Paths Plan to improve walking and cycling connections by 8 November 2026
Wellington Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its Draft Urban Paths Plan to improve walking and cycling connections. Residents can complete an online survey from October 12 to November 8, 2026. - Latrobe City ratepayers to receive 2026/27 notices as council outlines $90.4M works program
Latrobe City ratepayers will receive 2026/27 rates notices from late August, helping fund $90.4 million in capital works, essential services and community assets across the municipality. - Parliamentary inquiry reveals CFA resource shortfalls after years of Labor neglect, leaving Gippsland communities increasingly vulnerable
A Parliamentary inquiry has highlighted declining CFA volunteer numbers, ageing firefighting vehicles, workforce shortages and poor fuel management, prompting Nationals' Danny O'Brien to demand urgent action to protect Gippsland communities. - Baw Baw Shire endorses revised Community Engagement Policy to strengthen participation and build trust in council decisions
Baw Baw Shire councillors have unanimously endorsed a revised Community Engagement Policy, aiming to strengthen community participation, ensure meaningful feedback and build greater trust in Council’s decision-making processes. - Wellington Shire no-fee green waste disposal returns to support community preparedness on 17 October to 15 November 2026
Wellington Shire free green waste disposal program returns October 17, helping residents reduce bushfire risks before summer, with extended access available at Loch Sport until November 30. - Gippsland secures $288M country roads and bridges commitment under national government
The Nationals will restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program, providing Victoria's 48 regional councils $1.5 million annually for four years to repair roads, bridges and local infrastructure. - Gippsland Landcare champions win Victorian awards for environmental conservation, First Nations collaboration and sustainable agriculture achievements
Two Gippsland Landcare champions have won 2026 Victorian Landcare Awards, with Moogji Aboriginal Council and Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves recognised for environmental stewardship, collaboration and sustainable agriculture. - Cr John White recognised for 10 Years of dedicated service representing East Gippsland communities on council
East Gippsland Councillor John White has been recognised for 10 years of service, including two terms as Mayor, advocating for local priorities and representing communities across government levels. - Darren Chester joined Wellington Shire representatives to welcome 57 new citizens at The Wedge ceremony
Wellington Shire welcomed 57 new Australian citizens at The Wedge, with Federal Member Darren Chester and council representatives celebrating their milestone and contributions to Gippsland communities. - Melbourne Symphony Orchestra returns to Sale after 17 years, bringing acclaimed performances and Australian premieres to The Wedge on 28 October 2026
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will return to Sale on October 28, performing at The Wedge for the first time since 2009, featuring Mozart classics and a world-premiere Australian concerto. - Community groups encouraged to apply for East Gippsland’s 2026-27 grants program before 14 September 20260 deadline
East Gippsland community groups can apply for 2026–27 grants supporting community, environmental, social and wellbeing projects, with funding from $3,000 to $20,000 available until September 14, 2026. - Baw Baw Shire expands environmental rebate to encourage reusable products, cut waste and boost community sustainability
Baw Baw Shire Council has expanded its environmental rebate into three categories, helping residents buy reusable products, reduce landfill waste, improve recycling, and support more sustainable households through partial purchase rebates. - Sailors Grave Brewing celebrates ten years, turning East Gippsland's produce and remote coast into a destination
Sailors Grave Brewing celebrates ten years, growing from an Orbost butter factory brewery into a celebrated Marlo destination showcasing East Gippsland’s produce, landscapes, creativity and community through distinctive beers and local food. - Palm Lake Resort Paynesville welcomes 100th resident, boosting East Gippsland’s retirement living and local economic growth
Palm Lake Resort Paynesville has welcomed its 100th resident, highlighting growing demand for retirement living and investment supporting local businesses and economic activity across East Gippsland. - Become a Great Southern rail trail passport collection point with other updates from the South Gippsland Shire Council
South Gippsland Council seeks Rail Trail Passport collection points, announces a youth bravery award, Toora roadworks, grants, community events, transport updates, tenders, services and opportunities. - New drinking fountains improve free water access across Sale's popular recreation facilities
Sale's major recreation facilities now offer improved free drinking water access, with new fountains at Aqua Energy, Port of Sale and Gippsland Regional Sports Complex, supporting hydration and reusable bottle use. - Nathan Kearsley and Jill Colson appointed as Baw Baw Shire new directors following recent organisational restructure
Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Nathan Kearsley and Jill Colson as new directors following a restructure reducing its executive leadership team from five to three. - Baw Baw Shire opens applications for artists seeking up to $2,000 grant through Arts and Culture Fund Program, apply by 28 October 2026
Baw Baw Shire is inviting local artists and creatives to apply for up to $2,000 through its Arts and Culture Fund, supporting projects that strengthen creative practice and community participation. - Draft Omeo District Place Plan released for after 10 months of consultation for final community feedback until 2 October 2026
East Gippsland Shire Council has released the draft Omeo District Place Plan for feedback, prioritising health, education, housing, employment, social connection, environmental care and emergency preparedness. Submissions close October 2. - Have your say on the Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip - Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (Revised) to unlock growth until 21 September 2026
East Gippsland Shire Council is simplifying planning controls in Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, aiming to unlock housing growth, reduce red tape and support development over the next 30-plus years. - Marlo's Healeys road timber bridge to be replaced with stronger steel structure built for 100 years
East Gippsland Shire Council will replace Marlo’s ageing Healeys Road timber bridge with a $642,780 steel structure, improving safety, access, load capacity and long-term reliability for local users. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks. - Latrobe City extends Phoenix partnership, securing NBL matches and delivering sporting, community and economic benefits
Latrobe City Council has extended its partnership with South East Melbourne Phoenix, securing two NBL matches across the next two seasons, delivering elite sport, community engagement and economic benefits. - Meet the Makers connects local producers, makers and hospitality businesses across Bass Coast and South Gippsland and other council updates
Meet the Makers will connect Bass Coast and South Gippsland producers, makers and hospitality businesses for networking, collaboration and new opportunities. - Baw Baw Australia Day Awards nominations open, recognising local heroes, organisations and events, voting is until 30 October 2026
Baw Baw Shire Council has opened nominations for the 2027 Australia Day Awards, recognising outstanding citizens, young people, organisations and community events making contributions locally. - Supercars Championship returns to Phillip Island in 2027 following Victorian government multi-year contract announcement
Bass Coast Shire Council has welcomed the Supercars Championship return to Phillip Island in 2027 under a Victorian Government multi-year contract, supporting regional tourism and economic transition following MotoGP and World Superbikes departures. - Baw Baw book boxes bring free children’s books and reading opportunities to communities across Drouin, Longwarry and Warragul
Baw Baw Shire Council and Drouin Men’s Shed have installed community book boxes across Drouin, Longwarry and Warragul, offering free children’s books while encouraging literacy, reading and family connections. - Cowes Freedom of Entry Parade marks 125 years of Australia's Commonwealth Naval Forces and naval service tradition parade on 7 August 2026
Bass Coast Shire Council invites the community to Cowes' Freedom of Entry Parade on August 7, celebrating 125 years of Australia's naval heritage with HMAS Cape Woolamai personnel and the Royal Australian Navy Band. - Latrobe City pushes for fair community benefits, transparent water pricing and long-term investment as Yallourn Mine rehabilitation progresses
Latrobe City Council has urged fair community reinvestment, transparent water pricing and long-term funding certainty as EnergyAustralia seeks water entitlement for Yallourn Mine rehabilitation. - Bass Coast offers free green waste disposal from 31 October to 22 November to help residents prepare for bushfire season
Bass Coast Shire Council will accept domestic green waste free at its four waste facilities from 31 October to 22 November 2026, helping residents reduce bushfire hazards before summer. - Coastal erosion forces indefinite closure of Kilcunda Rail Trail section for safety from 26 August 2026
Bass Coast Shire Council will close a Kilcunda Rail Trail section indefinitely from August 26 after severe erosion washed away two metres of dune, threatening trail safety. - Latrobe City encourages community conversations and support during Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2026
Latrobe City Council will host free events from 24 to 31 October for Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2026, helping residents recognise gambling harm, explore support services and start conversations with family, friends and neighbours. - New Lakes Entrance fire station prioritised ahead of 2026 state election
Council is urging the Victorian government to fund a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, replacing the 90-year-old facility to improve emergency response, safety, capacity and regional resilience. - South Gippsland residents invited to shape future heritage precincts across four townships through community consultation
South Gippsland Shire Council is inviting residents across Loch, Fish Creek, Toora and Korumburra to help shape and protect their townships' unique heritage character. - Latrobe City endorses draft Moe Activity Centre Plan to guide future town centre growth and development
Latrobe City Council endorsed the draft Moe Activity Centre Plan for public exhibition, outlining long-term CBD growth, planning reforms, improved public spaces and transport, with Planning Scheme Amendment C155 exhibition proposed for late 2026. - Live and Loud at GPAC brings AFL Grand Final action, family fun and entertainment to Traralgon on 26 September 2026
Latrobe City Council will host Live and Loud at GPAC on September 26, featuring family activities, entertainment, a ticketed musical-acrobat performance and free live screening of the 2026 AFL Grand Final. - Bass Coast invites community feedback on new decade-long nature positive strategy for environmental protection and restoration until 15 October 2026
Bass Coast Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Nature Positive Strategy, guiding environmental protection, restoration and enhancement across the region over the next decade. - Latrobe City opens nominations for 2027 Australia Day Awards and Sporting Hall of Fame honours, nominate by 11 September 2026
Latrobe City Council has opened nominations for the 2027 Australia Day Awards and Sporting Hall of Fame, recognising outstanding community contributors and sporting achievers. Entries close September 11, 2026. - Latrobe City completes major lighting upgrade across all 10 courts at Agnes Brereton Reserve, boosting netball opportunities
Latrobe City Council has upgraded all 10 courts at Agnes Brereton Reserve with 200-lux lighting, enabling extended evening use, expanded competitions and training for Traralgon Netball Association 1,400 annual participants. - Gippsland Water offers face-to-face bill support through September pop-ups across Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin
Gippsland Water will host September pop-ups across the region, offering customers face-to-face help with bills, payment plans, concessions and government assistance amid cost-of-living pressures, with events in Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin. - Latrobe City launches Forestree platform showcasing 63,000 public trees across urban and rural townships
Latrobe City Council has launched Forestree, an interactive platform showcasing more than 63,000 public trees, 600 species and ongoing tree planting, watering and maintenance efforts. - Latrobe City Children’s Expo offers free family fun, activities and community services at Kernot Hall in Morwell on 27 October 2026
Latrobe City Council will host a free Children’s Expo at Kernot Hall, Morwell, on October 27, featuring entertainment, activities, food vendors and community services for families. - New Bairnsdale worker accommodation nears completion, boosting healthcare workforce capacity across East Gippsland communities
Bairnsdale new 28-apartment healthcare worker accommodation is nearing completion, providing affordable housing for up to 32 staff and strengthening regional health services while supporting local jobs and investment. - Darren Chester congratulates Gippsland Agricultural Group on successful Gippsland Red Meat Conference in Sale
Darren Chester has praised the successful Gippsland Red Meat Conference in Sale, highlighting industry collaboration, innovation, productivity and the need to reduce red tape for farming families. - Westdale Kindergarten flood update on repairs, temporary arrangements and term one 2027 reopening plans for families
Westdale Kindergarten was severely flooded on 3 October 2026. Council and the Department of Education are coordinating repairs, temporary learning arrangements and a safe reopening, prioritising Term One 2027. - Celebrate the Lakes event highlighting Gippsland Lakes diversity and environmental projects protecting vital local ecosystems
The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority will host Celebrate the Lakes at Eagle Point, showcasing Gippsland Lakes biodiversity, environmental projects and community efforts protecting local waterways, wetlands and wildlife. - Five additional VLocity train sets to boost Gippsland Line capacity and ease crowding as the Nationals commitment
The Nationals will add five VLocity train sets to Gippsland services, providing 1,110 extra seats and enabling longer trains during peak periods to ease overcrowding on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services. - Hazelwood North CFA to receive long-awaited new station under Nationals and Liberals' Latrobe Valley infrastructure commitment
The Nationals and Liberals have pledged a new three-bay Hazelwood North CFA station, replacing inadequate facilities and supporting volunteers through increased regional infrastructure funding. - Nationals demand stronger policing as rising Latrobe Valley crime fuels growing community safety concerns and frustration
The Nationals say rising Latrobe Valley crime and fewer police officers demand urgent Labor government action, calling for stronger policing, tougher laws and better resources to restore community safety.
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