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Strong Support For Continuation Of Night RiderThe Night Rider bus service has received a temporary reprieve while a permanent source of funding to continue the service is sought. By Latrobe City Council - 1st July 2009 - Back to News The strong support for the service by way of a recent financial contribution from Road Safe Latrobe and the Linking Latrobe Transport Connections has ensured the Night Rider bus service can continue for another five weeks.
Road Safe Latrobe develops local community road safety initiatives that support state and local government programs.
The Linking Latrobe Transport Connections program involves partnerships between members of the community, including state and local government, the community and voluntary transport sector, existing community or health networks and public and private transport providers.
Latrobe City councillor and chair of the Traralgon CBD Safety Committee, Cr Rohan Fitzgerald, said Road Safe Latrobe and the Linking Latrobe Transport Connections had expressed strong support for the continuation of the Nightrider bus service.
"That support has recently been translated into generous donations that will provide a temporary reprieve to keep this important service running.
"The Traralgon CBD Safety Committee welcomes this temporary funding initiative and urges a speedy resolution from the state government to find a permanent funding solution to keep this valuable service operating," Cr Fitzgerald said.
The Night Rider bus has been very popular and to date has transported 535 patrons safety from the Traralgon CBD to their home towns.
Support for a continuation of the service and for in support of applications for a permanent funding solution is coming from many stakeholders in a safer Traralgon CBD.
Senior Sergeant Brendon Scully, Traralgon Police, stated in a recent support letter that the Night Rider service had a positive effect upon community safety in two aspects.
"Firstly, it removes people who may be affected by alcohol from crowd situations and therefore alleviates or minimises the opportunity for them to become either perpetrators or victims of crime. Secondly, it provides an alternative means of transportation for such people, therefore reducing the incidence of drink driving and its horrendous consequences," Senior Sergeant Scully said.
Latrobe City Mayor Cr Lisa Price has already written to the Hon Lynne Kosky, MP Minister for Public Transport for the Night Rider to be funded and continue on an ongoing basis.
Jillian Hanley, acting coordinator community development is Latrobe City’s representative on the Traralgon Liquor Accord, and will take the issue of ongoing funding to the next Liquor Accord meeting.
In the meantime, the Night Rider bus service will continue to move night owls out of the Traralgon central business district as soon as possible in the early hours of a Sunday morning to increase safety.
The bus will continue to provide three trips. The Night Rider leaving at 2:30am and 4:30am will drop patrons off at MidValley, Gunns Gully, Morwell and Moe Railway Stations; the 3:30am service will take patrons to Churchill.
Coupons to use the service can be purchased for $5 and are available through late night venues and all Latrobe City service centres.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Baw Baw Shire Council adopted a new Customer Service Charter and Complaints Handling Policy to improve responsiveness, transparency and accountability, following community consultation and supporting future customer experience improvements. - Wellington Shire Council to update Community Local Law 2021, ensuring relevance, inclusivity, and strong legal compliance
The Safer Communities Plan includes Jack's Law to clear weapons from streets, Restart for repeat offenders, and Youthstart to support at-risk youth. Mr Cameron says Labor lacks a plan to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, leaving regions vulnerable. - Baw Baw Shire seeks community feedback on draft art policies to protect collections, enrich public spaces and support creativity by 13 May 2026
Baw Baw Shire is seeking community feedback on new draft art policies to protect collections, enhance public spaces, and support creativity, with more than 220 public artworks and 122 civic pieces shaping local culture. - Life Saving Victoria families invited to Emergency Services Foundation Family Day celebrating service and wellbeing on 26 April 2026
Life Saving Victoria families are invited to ESF Family Day at Gumbuya World on April 26, celebrating emergency workers, supporting family wellbeing, and providing mental health resources. - Latrobe excluded from bus funding, prompting renewed calls for better regional transport connectivity, reliability and integrated train-bus services
Latrobe City has been excluded from $100 million bus funding, prompting concerns over poor service coordination, limited connectivity, and calls for urgent regional transport review and investment. - East Gippsland Shire Council thanks Tim Bull MP for 16 years service to Gippsland East community leadership and advocacy
Tim Bull is thanked by East Gippsland Shire Council for 16 years of service, leadership through disasters, and strong advocacy for the region ahead of his retirement from state politics. - Baw Baw Council seeks community feedback on Customer Service Charter and Complaints Handling Policy, consultation closes 22 April 2026
Baw Baw Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Customer Service Charter and Complaints Handling Policy. Consultation is open until 5pm, Wednesday 22 April 2026, online or at Farm World. - Cape Paterson Indoor Bowls Group celebrates second anniversary with community spirit and strong local connections
The Cape Paterson Indoor Bowls Group celebrated its second anniversary, with Melina Bath praising members for fostering community connection, friendship, wellbeing and active social participation. - Latrobe City Council takes over maintenance of five rural recreation reserves supporting volunteers
Latrobe City Council will manage maintenance for five rural recreation reserves, easing volunteer workloads, improving public spaces, and providing consistent services, supported by additional budget funding and a new pressure-washing program. - Latrobe City Council takes over maintenance of five rural recreation reserves supporting volunteers
Latrobe City Council will manage maintenance for five rural recreation reserves, easing volunteer workloads, improving public spaces, and providing consistent services, supported by additional budget funding and a new pressure-washing program. - Victorian Agency for Health Information data shows ambulance services declining due to Labor's under‑resourcing, mismanagement and denial
The latest data shows Victoria’s ambulance service declining, with fewer than 64% of Code 1 responses within 15 minutes, highlighting regional delays, under‑resourcing, and mismanagement under the Allan Labor government. - East Gippsland community impact grants fund projects strengthening communities and supporting environment
East Gippsland’s 2025 Community Impact Grants received 36 applications, funding 15 projects focused on community strengthening, environmental sustainability, facilities, and open space, supporting local growth, inclusion and creative initiatives. - Gippsland Water begins $10.5M Traralgon pipeline project to strengthen supply and support future growth
Gippsland Water will begin constructing the $10.5 million Traralgon Western Distribution Main, improving water security, network reliability and pressure while supporting future population growth, with completion expected in late 2027. - Mayor Rochelle Halstead honoured with MAV 10-year Service Award for her dedication to local government
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead has received the MAV 10-Year Service Award, recognising her decade of dedicated leadership, advocacy, and commitment to strengthening local government and the Bass Coast community. - Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades boost tourism, safety, and local businesses with $3.8M government support
Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades, supported by $3.8 million government funding, improve safety, accessibility, tourism, and local business, while celebrating Indigenous culture and supporting bushfire-affected communities. - Latrobe City Council to negotiate Old Methodist Church sale following community consultation and support heritage reuse
Following community consultation, Latrobe City Council will negotiate the Old Methodist Church sale to Traralgon Historical Society, supporting heritage reuse and allocating $86,000 funding contingent on securing a VicTrack lease. - South Gippsland Council ends sharps program June 2026, transitioning service to health providers with NSP locations and public toilet units remaining
South Gippsland Shire Council will end its Community Sharps Program on 30 June 2026, transitioning services to health providers, with NSP locations available and public toilet sharps units remaining. - Mallacoota’s new purpose-built Respite Care Centre opens, providing local residents high-quality recovery support close to home
The new Mallacoota Respite Care Centre provides local residents with high-quality, home-like recovery support, keeping them connected to the community while enhancing safety and healthcare services for years to come. - East Gippsland Libraries launches free Kanopy streaming service with films, documentaries, educational content for members statewide
East Gippsland Libraries members can now stream thousands of films, documentaries and educational programs free through Kanopy, receiving 15 monthly viewing tickets with library membership from 9 July 2026. - Leongatha worker housing project delivers 14 apartments to attract essential staff and support regional growth
Construction has begun on 14 worker apartments at Woorayl Lodge in Leongatha, providing accommodation for essential workers and families, boosting regional liveability and addressing workforce shortages through the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund. - Melina Bath encourages increased funding for regional palliative care, ensuring dignity and support statewide
Melina Bath warned underfunded regional palliative care forces terminally ill Victorians into hospitals instead of home, calling for urgent investment to ensure dignity, support, and equal access across eastern Victoria. - East Gippsland Shire Council celebrates Volunteer Week, honouring volunteers dedicated services to the community
Volunteering is part of everyday life across East Gippsland, with council staff and community members supporting emergency services, sporting clubs and local organisations, reflecting a strong culture of community service and connection. - East Gippsland Council launches pool and spa safety inspection service to ensure compliance and protect residents
East Gippsland Council reminds residents to ensure pools and spas meet safety regulations and offers a $385 Barrier Compliance Inspection Service, including inspection, report, follow-up, certification, and database lodgement. - Melina Bath criticises Allan government over lack of funding for Kids Helpline mental health support
Melina Bath has criticised the Allan government for not funding Kids Helpline, despite strong Victorian demand, urging greater mental health support for vulnerable young people, particularly in regional areas. - East Gippsland expands Whelans Group road maintenance contract, ensuring service continuity and local job retention across shire
East Gippsland Council has expanded Whelans Group’s road maintenance role, taking over areas previously managed by Cranes Asphalting, ensuring service continuity, high standards, and retention of local jobs across the shire. - Melina Bath warns neighbourhood houses face financial strain, risking essential services due to stagnant government funding
Hundreds rallied at Victoria Parliament urging Allan government to provide funding certainty for neighbourhood houses, protecting essential community services supporting vulnerable residents and preventing closures. - Bairnsdale Visitor Information Centre relocates, expanding flexible tourism and visitor services across East Gippsland
East Gippsland Bairnsdale Visitor Information Centre has relocated to Council’s Corporate Centre, supporting flexible tourism services through in-person, outreach and digital visitor support across the region. - Gippsland Water completes Baw Baw Leak Detection Program, repairing hidden leaks to improve service reliability and reduce water loss
Gippsland Water's Baw Baw leak detection program surveyed 425 km of mains, uncovering 128 leaks. Repairs improve service reliability, reduce water loss, and support proactive network maintenance across the region. - Tim Bull slams delays rebuilding Heyfield bus shelter, urging government to fulfil commitment and restore essential infrastructure
Tim Bull has criticised the Victorian government over delays rebuilding Heyfield’s Mary Street bus shelter, saying the community has waited nine years despite repeated commitments to restore it. - Community invited to join Walhalla project working groups shaping tourism and business opportunities for World Heritage future
Baw Baw Shire Council invites community members to join Tourism, Infrastructure, or Business Support Project Working Groups for Walhalla, helping shape sustainable development linked to the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid. - Melina Bath urges Labor Minister to reinstate Latrobe Valley town bus timetable after changes as commuters report major daily disruptions
The new Latrobe Valley PTV bus timetable has disrupted access to essential services, prompting Nationals’ Melina Bath to request reinstating the previous schedule to better serve commuters, students, and vulnerable residents. - Melina Bath escalates Leongatha–Wonthaggi bus timetable concerns to state parliament after community backlash
Melina Bath has urged the Victorian government to review the Leongatha–Wonthaggi bus timetable, citing community concerns over reduced services, missed connections and longer travel times. - Lakes Entrance's Cameron King awarded with national medal for lifesaving service and dedication to community safety
Lakes Entrance Surf Life Saving Club’s Cameron King has been awarded the National Medal for over 15 years of dedicated volunteer service, recognising his commitment to lifesaving and community water safety. - Nationals pledge to restore Parentline funding, criticise Labor's decision to axe vital family counselling service for Gippslanders
The Nationals vow to reinstate Parentline funding if elected, condemning Labor's cut to the vital family counselling service that supports Victorian parents, particularly in regional communities facing limited access to services. - Danny O’Brien calls for Royal Commission into Big Build corruption, urging petition support
Danny O’Brien is urging Gippslanders to support a petition calling for a Royal Commission into alleged Big Build corruption, claiming $15 billion in lost taxpayer funds and missed regional investment. - Melina Bath criticises politicised VEAC, failing land management, while $1.4M could fund bushfire prevention, environmental services
Melina Bath warns Victorian hunters and anglers against reduced services as Labor pushes VFA-GMA merger, urging proper funding, training, and enforcement to protect compliance, sustainability, and regional outdoor traditions. - Tap and go payment rolls out across Victorian buses, making public transport easier for passengers statewide
Tap and go payments are rolling out across Victoria's myki-enabled buses, allowing passengers to pay with bank cards, smartphones or smart watches while maintaining myki as an alternative option. - Victorian Health Department sets Gippsland priorities, access, workforce, safety, shared services, and mental health expansion
The Victorian Department of Health has set four Gippsland health priorities: access, workforce, safety, and shared services, while highlighting mental health needs and significant workforce investment at Warragul's regional health leaders' forum. - Wellington Shire Council invites open conversations on financial pressures impacting community services, roads, and facilities
Wellington Shire Council faces rising costs, rate caps, and funding pressures, yet remains committed to delivering essential services and urging government reform to better support regional communities into the future.
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