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Darren Chester stresses need for funding Traralgon highway bypass to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion for locals and visitorsDarren Chester urges government funding for Traralgon bypass, emphasising its critical role in improving road safety and supporting the local economy. Collaboration with state counterparts and community consultation emphasised for swift progress. By news@gippsland - 28th February 2024 - Back to News Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has challenged the federal government to commit funding to finalise the planning and design for the proposed Traralgon by-pass. Mr Chester told Federal Parliament the by-pass was the 'highest priority transport infrastructure project east of Melbourne' and money should be allocated in this year's state and federal budgets to accelerate the project. 
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Member for Morwell Martin Cameron believe a Traralgon by-pass would improve safety and reduce congestion for locals and visitors Traralgon bypass advocacyMr Chester said, "With the duplication works between Traralgon and Sale set to conclude, the next major project on the Princes Highway should be the Traralgon by-pass. I was able to secure 80% of the funding for the duplication works from the previous federal government and we need to keep improving our transport links for the benefit of locals and visitors." "The by-pass is strongly supported by Latrobe City and Wellington Shire because it offers road safety and productivity benefits to the transport sector. I have written to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Catherine King and urged her to commit funding for planning and design to keep the pressure on the state government which has ultimate responsibility for the highway. "Local residents, business owners and the broader Gippsland community needed greater certainty around the project which would create jobs in construction, reduce congestion in Traralgon, improve road safety, support the visitor economy and boost productivity," Mr Chester said. Traralgon bypass collaborationMr Chester said he was working with his State Parliamentary colleagues to gather support for the Traralgon by-pass and would seek feedback from interested locals. "Member for Morwell Martin Cameron and Member for Gippsland South Danny O'Brien will be working with me in the coming months as we seek the funding for the planning and design work." "This project has been spoken about for over 30 years, some work has already been done around potential routes, but it's come to a standstill because the state government has over-committed to infrastructure projects in Melbourne. "Although the state government owns the road, the majority of the funding for a project of this scope would come from the federal government and we need to get some numbers in front of the Treasury as soon as possible to progress the by-pass," Mr Chester said. Community feedback collectionMr Cameron said the Latrobe Valley community needed to be fully consulted on any plans for the bypass. "We will be seeking feedback from local residents and passing that on to all levels of government to ensure any concerns can be managed. Investing in better transport infrastructure is good for our community and we need to get this project moving after decades of delays." "With Gippsland and Latrobe Valley heavily impacted by transition in the energy sector and cuts to the timber industry, there is a greater reliance on the visitor economy and growth in the agricultural industry which are dependent on the highway. The local transport sector has also indicated significant productivity and safety benefits would flow from a Traralgon by-pass," Mr Cameron said. Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com

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The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has accused the Albanese government of removing veterans' rights to review bravery awards, warning proposed reforms undermine fairness, independence, and recognition of Australia's war heroes. - Serious crime rises reflect community concerns, worsened by Labor's cuts, weakened bail, reduced youth programs, says Melina Bath
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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. - Melina Bath criticises Labor government shutting public beekeeping, threatening Victoria's food security and horticultural jobs
Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists. - West Gippsland CMA hosts free sustainable farming workshops with local landcare groups from September 2025 to March 2026
West Gippsland CMA is hosting free farm field days September - March, showcasing sustainable agriculture, carbon farming, and local expertise. Workshops cover soil health, biodiversity, biofertilizers, and agribusiness opportunities. - Latrobe City allocates $7.3M surplus to key community infrastructure and improvement projects
Latrobe City Council's $7.3 million surplus will fund key community projects, infrastructure upgrades, and maintenance, with $3.4 million reserved to leverage future State and Federal funding partnerships.
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