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Labor’s Bushfire Recovery ‘Plan’ Long OverdueRolling old money up in a new press release delivers nothing for families, businesses and communities in East Gippsland and north east Victoria hit by January’s catastrophic bushfires. By Portal Admin - 30th August 2020 - Back to News A bushfire recovery ‘plan’ announced by the Andrews Labor Government today seems to be nothing more than a poor attempt at window dressing.
Rolling old money up in a new press release delivers nothing for families, businesses and communities in East Gippsland and north east Victoria hit by January’s catastrophic bushfires.
It’s eight months since the fires swept through the state – these funds should have flowed through immediately.
Why has it taken Daniel Andrews so long to follow through with a ‘plan’ to support communities to recover?
Even before the coronavirus pandemic hit, these fires left many doing it tough and COVID-19 shutdowns have only made the pressure worse.
Communities will be right to question if this is just another thinly-veiled attempt from Labor to rebadge old funds in a glossy new document.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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East Gippsland Shire Council seeks quotes for an independent safety audit of Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool to assess risks, compliance, and required remedial works, ensuring a safe environment for staff and community. - East Gippsland celebrates community contributions at 2026 Australia Day Awards with Dr Patrick Kinsella as Ambassador
East Gippsland’s 2026 Australia Day Awards, hosted 21 January at Lakes Entrance, will honour residents’ contributions with Dr Patrick Kinsella as Ambassador, featuring live entertainment, barbecue, and community celebration. - East Gippsland Council opens 2026 Australia Day Awards nominations to celebrate outstanding community contributions
East Gippsland Council is calling for nominations for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, celebrating individuals, groups, and events that make outstanding contributions to the community across volunteering, sport, arts, and environment. - East Gippsland Council to install raised pedestrian crossings and enhanced lighting on Lakes Entrance Church Street
East Gippsland Council will install two raised pedestrian crossings and improved lighting on Church Street, Lakes Entrance, enhancing safety, prioritising pedestrians, and supporting safer travel for residents and visitors. - East Gippsland Council celebrates staff contributions with annual Living Our Values Awards announcement
East Gippsland Council honoured staff contributions with the annual Living Our Values Awards, recognising individuals and teams demonstrating respect, collaboration, Integrity, Accountability, and excellence across council services and communities. - 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. - East Gippsland Council advances regional projects, improving facilities, accessibility, resilience and growth
East Gippsland Council is delivering major regional projects, upgrades, improving accessibility, supporting resilience, and enhancing infrastructure across towns including Bairnsdale, Buchan, Mallacoota, Cann River, and Paynesville. - East Gippsland Council to consider proposed changes to Raymond Island Ferry pass system at September meeting
East Gippsland Shire Council will consider proposed Raymond Island Ferry pass changes, including extra landowner passes, renter passes, and future consultation, aiming for fairer allocation and improved functionality from 2026/27. - East Gippsland Council accepts $4.255M Commonwealth funding to progress Gippsland Lakes Shared Community Hub
East Gippsland Council has accepted $4.255 million Commonwealth funding to progress the Gippsland Lakes Shared Community Hub, finalising designs and preparing to tender construction for Paynesville lakeside community facility. - East Gippsland Water invites community feedback through annual customer satisfaction survey this October
East Gippsland Water is inviting customers to complete its annual satisfaction survey, providing feedback on water quality, service, and community engagement. Responses will guide future improvements and participants can win a $100 bill credit. - East Gippsland Australia Day Awards celebrate community spirit, honouring events and initiatives making meaningful impact in 2026
The 2026 East Gippsland Australia Day Awards honoured the Winter Festival and Breast Care Support Fund for fostering connection, generosity, and community spirit across the region. - East Gippsland Water celebrates talented young artists in National Water Week Poster Competition 2025
East Gippsland Water has announced winners of its National Water Week poster competition, celebrating young artists who showcased creativity and water conservation awareness under the theme "Water Heroes: Save Every Drop." - East Gippsland libraries launch CloudLibrary, offering free eBooks and eAudiobooks anytime, anywhere
East Gippsland Libraries have launched CloudLibrary, giving members free access to thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks anytime, anywhere, supporting learning, leisure, and digital inclusion across the region. - East Gippsland children share ideas, hopes, and concerns to shape community and celebrate local voices through MFEG project
Nearly 800 East Gippsland children shared ideas and concerns through the MFEG project, highlighting community connection, recreation, environment, and social care, with postcards now displayed across local towns. - East Gippsland Council streamlines procurement, connecting suppliers through VendorPanel online
East Gippsland Council now manages major procurement through VendorPanel, giving local, regional, and national suppliers fair, simple access to opportunities while supporting transparency, competition, and local economic growth. - East Gippsland Youth Art Prize 2025 celebrates creativity, talent, and next generation artists
East Gippsland’s 2025 Youth Art Prize showcased young artists aged 12–25, celebrating creativity, talent, and community engagement, with winners announced at the Forge Theatre and Arts Hub in Bairnsdale. - East Gippsland Libraries join Big Summer Read, inspiring children to read, build literacy, and combat the ‘summer slide’
This summer, East Gippsland Libraries join the Big Summer Read, encouraging children aged 0-18 to read, build literacy skills, earn badges, and stay engaged while combating the "summer slide." - East Gippsland Shire Mayor, Cr Jodie Ashworth's Christmas message
A Christmas message celebrating East Gippsland’s community spirit, kindness and connection, encouraging care for one another, support for local businesses, warm hospitality for visitors, gratitude for workers this season together. - Darren Chester congratulates Hillywood Tree Nursery on expanding Gippsland-grown business with new online store
Hillywood Tree Nursery in Briagolong has launched an online store, expanding access to Gippsland-grown plants. Darren Chester praised owner Ed Mosley for fostering innovation, sustainability, and local job growth in horticulture. - East Gippsland residents urged to foster dogs as Animal Aid Bairnsdale faces unprecedented influx and resource strain
Animal Aid Bairnsdale urges East Gippsland residents to foster dogs as rising numbers strain shelter capacity. Support, resources, and costs are provided, ensuring dogs receive safety, love, and a chance at adoption. - Melina Bath condemns Allan government’s mismanaged renewable energy transition, as targets remain unachievable
Three Gippsland offshore wind projects have collapsed and a fourth stalled, with Nationals’ Melina Bath criticising the Allan government’s mismanagement of Victoria’s renewable energy transition and rising energy insecurity. - Free visitor information materials help East Gippsland businesses guide visitors quickly and easily summer
East Gippsland Shire Council is providing free QR-code posters, stickers and magnets to help businesses quickly connect visitors with maps, attractions, events and essential information via the Visit East Gippsland website. - East Gippsland’s 2026 Australia Day Awards honours volunteers, youth leaders, and inspiring community events
Over 200 people gathered at Lakes Entrance to celebrate the 2026 East Gippsland Australia Day Awards, honouring outstanding volunteers, youth leaders, and community events strengthening connection, service, and local spirit. - South Gippsland Shire Council wishes everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year and other council updates
South Gippsland Shire Council wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, highlights skatepark opening, Australia Day awards, community programs, seasonal bin changes, and upcoming events. - East Gippsland residents invited to author talk on Pearl Bradshaw - Princess of Hotham on 10 September 2025
Author Stephen Whiteside will present Pearl Bradshaw - Princess of Hotham, sharing remarkable stories of resilience, adventure, and history at special East Gippsland library talks on Wednesday 10 September. - Construction begins on Western Park Oval 2 Pavilion, including new curator shed and upgraded female-friendly facilities
Construction has started on Western Park Oval 2 Pavilion, beginning with a new curator shed, supporting local sports growth, female-friendly facilities, and community recreation, funded by Council and a government grant. - Future of Orbost Project strengthens water access, supporting agricultural innovation and long-term regional growth
The Future of Orbost Project supports farmers by clarifying water availability, facilitating licence transfers, and building resilience, driving innovation, productivity, diversification, and sustainable long-term growth in East Gippsland. - Buchan Recreation Reserve redevelopment delivers modern pavilion, change rooms and multi-purpose community hub for future generations
Buchan Recreation Reserve redevelopment delivers modern community pavilion and sports facilities, ensuring a safe, multi-purpose hub for generations, supported by local, state and federal government investment. - Baw Baw Shire Council appoints experienced leader Tilla Buden as new chief executive officer commencing on November 2025
Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Tilla Buden as its new CEO, bringing extensive leadership experience and community focus. She will formally commence in the role on 17 November 2025. - East Gippsland Shire Council urges protect health and air quality, burn dry wood and maintain heaters to reduce smoke this winter
Residents are urged to burn only dry, untreated wood, maintain heaters, and consider alternatives to reduce smoke, protecting health and improving air quality this winter. - 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. - Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity amid Labor’s mismanaged renewable energy transition
Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity as Labor mismanages the renewable energy transition, delaying projects, electricity reliability, raising prices, causing gas shortages, and threatening jobs and households. - Melina Bath urges communities to honour veterans' families and support Legacy Week fundraising efforts
Melina Bath urges communities to support Legacy Week, honouring veterans' families. Funds raised provide financial, educational and emotional support, continuing Sir Stanley Savige's century-old vision of care, compassion and mateship. - Darren Chester joins East Gippsland community to honour fallen Victoria police officers on Remembrance Day
Darren Chester joined the East Gippsland community for National Police Remembrance Day in Bairnsdale, honouring Victoria Police officers who lost their lives and recognising those who continue to serve.
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