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Timber Towns Victoria Annual General Meeting to take place in Baw Baw

The Local Government Association Timber Towns Victoria will tour Baw Baw Shire this week for their AGM. They'll visit local businesses on Thursday and hold their meeting on Friday at the West Gippsland Arts Centre.

By news@gippsland - 6th August 2024 - Back to News

Local Government Association Timber Towns Victoria will tour the Baw Baw Shire region as part of their Annual General Meeting to be held this week. The Association, which represents the interests of municipal Councils in relation to forestry on both public and private land, will on Thursday visit several local businesses across Baw Baw as part of their activities for the week. The AGM will be held the following day on Friday 9 August at the West Gippsland Arts Centre in Warragul.

Noojee received a grant to support its community and local economy, fostering innovation and development through a Local Development Strategy

Transitioning Noojee's future

Following the Victorian government's announcement in 2023 to cease native timber harvesting in state forests, Baw Baw Shire Council is committed to supporting the area's transition away from native timber harvesting and creating new economic and social opportunities in the towns most impacted by this change. The Shaping the Future of Noojee project forms a key part of this work.

Noojee was one of 11 towns that received a grant through the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to support the community and develop the local economy through a Local Development Strategy. The grant provides an opportunity for the Noojee community to identify local strengths and explore opportunities for innovation and diversification to ensure a thriving community and successful future.

Councillor Michael Leaney, Deputy Chair of Timber Towns Victoria, said the site visits will help the group members to better understand how local businesses are transitioning and creating new opportunities in the wake of the cessation of native timber harvesting in state forests.

Supporting timber transition

Cr Leaney said he was proud of the work Council and Timber Towns Victoria was doing to help the affected regions refocus. "Timbers Town Victoria will continue to advocate for the economic viability and ongoing sustainability of the towns and regions significantly impacted by the closure of native timber harvesting in state forests, and the state government's Forestry Transition Program has provided valuable assistance to affected communities and businesses," Cr Leaney said.

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe said it was positive to see Timber Towns Victoria touring the region and reiterated the importance of the state government's grants program in supporting the timber industry's transition. "The funding provided by the state government is vital to help our region continue to navigate through a time of intense change, and will help to generate much needed economic activity and ensure ongoing prosperity," she said.

To find out more about Shaping the Future of Noojee, visit Baw Baw Connect website or to find out more about the Forest Transition Program, head to Victoria State Government website.

Pictures from Baw Baw Connect website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  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.
• Martin Cameron slams fresh Bank Street traffic light delays as environmental studies push project back again
  The Nationals have criticised the Victorian government after environmental studies and cultural heritage approvals were blamed for fresh delays to long-promised traffic lights at Traralgon Bank Street intersection, despite years of funding.
• 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.
• Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
  The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment.
• Labor announces four new regional early learning centres for 2029, expanding access to kindergarten and long daycare places
  Labor will open four new Early Learning Victoria centres in Alexandra, Drouin, Hamilton and Seymour from 2029, providing more than 400 childcare and kindergarten places across regional Victoria.
• Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
  New nurse-to-patient ratios have passed Parliament, with Gippsland hospitals reclassified, but workforce shortages and funding pressures raise concerns over implementation and patient care.
• Wilsons Promontory whale watching offers front-row seats to annual migration
  Wanderer Adventures offers seasonal whale watching cruises from Tidal River at Wilsons Promontory, bringing passengers close to migrating humpback and southern right whales, fur seals and spectacular coastal scenery aboard eco-tourism vessels.
• Melina Bath accuses Labor of failing to curb illicit tobacco crime and escalating violence across regional Victoria
  The Nationals have criticised Labor over ongoing illicit tobacco crime, citing alleged abductions, violence, intimidation and suspected illegal stores, while questioning Victoria’s tobacco licensing scheme effectiveness.
• Paynesville Maritime Precinct officially opens following $13M investment to boost boating, tourism, jobs and local business growth
  Paynesville’s $13 million Slip Road Maritime Precinct officially opened, delivering improved waterfront access, jetties and boating facilities to boost tourism, local businesses, jobs and Gippsland Lakes recreation.
• Visa delays threaten regional harvest workforce as farmers and tourism employers demand urgent federal government action before summer
  Farmers, tourism operators and regional employers warn visa delays could cause critical workforce shortages during summer harvest and tourism periods, urging the Federal government to restore timely visa processing.
• The Nationals pledge weekly rubbish collection for Gippsland households to ease costs and improve waste services
  The Nationals have pledged weekly general rubbish collections across Gippsland, promising to review landfill levies and waste charges to reduce costs and ease pressure on families.
• Tourism industry warns visa delays threaten jobs and revenue ahead of Australia's critical Christmas holiday season this year
  Australia's tourism sector warns visa delays, rising living costs and fuel prices could put $3 billion revenue and 20,000 jobs at risk this Christmas, urging government action.
• Liberals and Nationals pledge forest restoration, fuel reduction, bushfire preparedness and regional job support across Victoria
  The Liberals and Nationals propose restoring active forest management, doubling planned burns, treating more public land, expanding firebreaks and restoring 5,000 hectares annually to reduce bushfire risks and support regional timber jobs.
• East Gippsland Shire Council consults service street businesses on proposed Bairnsdale taxi rank relocation and Nicholson street mall improvements
  East Gippsland Shire Council is consulting Service Street businesses on a proposed Bairnsdale taxi rank relocation, while Nicholson Street Mall upgrades aim to improve safety and amenity.
• Farmers denied refunds despite biosecurity overcharging and government cost recovery surplus
  DAFF will not refund farmers despite collecting $26 million in excess biosecurity fees between 2024 and 2026. An Auditor-General report identified cost recovery management failures, prompting calls for greater transparency and fairer charges.
• 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.
• 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.
• East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth thanks community members, reflects on achievements and highlights upcoming projects in final annual mayoral column
  East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth thanks residents for their contributions, highlights upcoming projects and community celebrations, and encourages feedback on the Bairnsdale 2050 Strategy before concluding her annual mayoral column.
• Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
  Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere.