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Smart Water Fund Round 7 now open for applicationsThe Smart Water Fund has AUD$2 million worth of funding available for innovative water management projects across Victoria. By Westernport Water - 5th October 2009 - Back to News The Smart Water Fund has AUD$2 million worth of funding available for innovative water management projects across Victoria. The Smart Water Fund invites local government, community groups and businesses to apply for funding to develop innovative solutions that reduce their reliance on the urban water supply system. Applications close 20 November 2009. For further information or to request an application pack, visit www.smartwater.com.au, call 1800 882 432 or email info@smartwater.com.au.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: mbird@westernportwater.com.au
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Omeo’s 114-kilometre, $10 million mountain bike park has officially opened, offering world-class trails, boosting tourism, energising local businesses, and celebrating years of community vision, planning, and collaboration. - Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor government for neglecting regional PSOs while funding Melbourne stations
Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor Government for neglecting regional PSOs, citing rising Gippsland crime and calling for equal safety protections and additional officers under Coalition plans. - East Gippsland CMA hosts community event on Snowy River estuary trials and environmental flow improvements
East Gippsland CMA, with NSW DCCEEW, monitored Snowy River estuary flows to improve health, maintain open entrance, and share findings at community event 11 March 2026, Marlo Angling Club. - Swifts Creek Recreation Reserve officially opens during Omeo District Football Netball League Grand Finals celebrations on Saturday
Swifts Creek will celebrate the official opening of its $2.9 million upgraded recreation reserve during the Omeo District Football Netball League Grand Final on Saturday, 6 September 2025. - Danny O’Brien congratulates Gippsland Volunteer Emergency Services on VESEP funding support
Danny O’Brien praised Gippsland volunteer emergency services for VESEP funding, supporting vital equipment, facility upgrades, and ongoing advocacy for a new Port Welshpool Coast Guard vessel to ensure community safety. - Melina Bath urges East Gippsland cricket clubs, schools and community groups to apply for Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund grants by 27 March 2026
Melina Bath encourages regional cricket clubs, schools, and community groups to apply for Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund grants supporting facility upgrades and inclusive participation opportunities. Applications close 27 March 2026. - East Gippsland Rail Trail upgraded and officially opened, boosting tourism, and local economy across the 96km trail
The final 11.46 km of the East Gippsland Rail Trail is complete, fully resurfaced, and open, boosting tourism, supporting local businesses, and providing a high-quality recreational asset for the community. - Latrobe City Council endorsed applications for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, targeting high-risk crash sites across the shire
Latrobe City Council has applied for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, proposing safety upgrades at Traralgon, Morwell, and Newborough crash sites. Successful projects will involve community consultation during the design phase. - Glenmaggie Dam needle valve 1 shutdown planned 18 March for expert refurbishment, ensuring reliable irrigation and environmental water supply
Glenmaggie Dam will shut down the Main Southern Channel on 18 March to remove and refurbish Needle Valve 1, ensuring reliable irrigation and environmental water flows for farms and the Macalister River. - New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing. - New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing. - Tim Bull urges Labor government to stop costly brumby culling amid Parks Victoria job and funding cuts
Tim Bull urges Labor to halt costly brumby culling in East Gippsland, citing job losses, funding cuts, and greater threats from feral pigs, while advocating for more responsible taxpayer spending. - Baw Baw Shire Council approves Roadside Trading Policy and Open Space Strategy following community feedback
Baw Baw Council has adopted its new Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy and Open Space Strategy, following extensive community consultation to guide safe, vibrant, and accessible public spaces. - West Gippsland CMA invites the community to join the Portrait of a River photo competition and send their entries by 30 April 2026
West Gippsland CMA launches the annual Water for the Environment photo competition, inviting participants to capture rivers’ beauty, moods, and stories. Prizes worth $1,000 are available. Entries open April 1-30, 2026. - Danny O'Brien warns Labor is risking beachgoers safety by forcing councils, ratepayers to cover LSV funding shortfalls
Danny O'Brien warns the Allan Labor government is forcing Gippsland councils and ratepayers to cover Life Saving Victoria shortfalls, risking reduced lifeguard patrols despite billions in new emergency services taxes. - Spring flows planned to support native fish migration and river health across West Gippsland
West Gippsland CMA's Environmental Water team is planning Spring river flows to support native fish migration, enhance river health, and balance environmental care with community enjoyment of waterways. - West Gippsland CMA invites dairy farmers to join effluent management project, expressions of interest open from 1-30 April 2026
South Gippsland dairy farmers can apply for funding from 1 April 2026 to improve effluent management, boost soil health, reduce river pollution, and implement sustainable farm practices with expert guidance. - Melina Bath criticises Labor for six-year delay restoring Thurra River Campground after 2019-20 bushfires
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath criticises Labor’s six-year delay restoring Thurra River Campground, highlighting unsafe facilities, limited capacity, and urgent need for infrastructure replacement to support local families and tourism. - Entries for the 2026 East Gippsland Youth Art Prize open on 25 Mar until 7 August 2026
The 2026 East Gippsland Youth Art Prize is open, inviting artists aged 12–25 to showcase creative works in a gallery exhibition celebrating youth expression and talent across the region. - Baw Baw Shire Council seeks community feedback on draft 10-year open space strategy for future planning
Baw Baw Shire Council invites feedback on its draft Open Space Strategy, shaping a 10-year plan to guide investment, protect natural spaces, and enhance community wellbeing. Consultation closes Friday 3 October 2025. - Gippsland CFA volunteers still wait for critical fire station upgrades amid $55M Labor funding cuts
Gippsland CFA volunteers face years-long delays for safe, modern fire stations as Labor cuts $55 million, reducing equipment, compensation, and infrastructure, putting communities at risk and demanding urgent funding. - 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. - Gippsland farmers gain access to expanded Irrigation Farm Plan Incentives across Lake Wellington catchment
Gippsland farmers can now access expanded Irrigation Efficiency Incentives, covering up to 75% of farm plan costs, improving water efficiency, reducing nutrient losses, and supporting tailored upgrades across Lake Wellington Catchment. - East Gippslander John Mulligan, 94, launches 'Our Mismanaged Forests', sharing lifetime environmental knowledge and practical forest management insights
East Gippslander John Mulligan, 94, launches Our Mismanaged Forests, sharing lifetime bush experience and advocating practical forest management, fuel reduction, and Indigenous fire practices to improve safety and environmental outcomes. - TRACE: Sea Ghosts & Other Phenomena showcases South Gippsland local artists’ work, open Fridays to Mondays until 20 April 2026
TRACE: Sea Ghosts & Other Phenomena at Coal Creek showcases works by local artists across print, photography and film, open Friday to Monday and daily during school holidays until April 20. - Darren Chester urges Gippsland’s young athletes to apply for Local Sporting Champions grants now available until 31 January 2026
Federal MP Darren Chester is urging Gippsland’s young athletes to apply for Local Sporting Champions grants supporting travel and competition costs. Eligible juniors aged 12-18 can apply before 31 January 2026. - Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes highlights community collaboration survive South Gippsland's dry season challenges
Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes credits collaboration with the Inverloch Cluster and local water authorities for navigating South Gippsland's recurring dry conditions and improving farm drought resilience. - Princes Highway $2M upgrade improves safety and access for pedestrians at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna
Nearly $2 million in joint government funding will upgrade Princes Highway at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna, improving pedestrian safety, access, and traffic flow with new medians, lighting, safety platforms, and path reconstruction. - Darren Chester secures $20,000 to preserve Tambo Valley trenches commemorating Victoria's WWII history
Darren Chester secured $20,000 funding to preserve the historic Tambo Valley Trenches, enhancing access, safety, and interpretation, while honouring East Gippsland's wartime history and boosting cultural tourism along the Great Alpine Road. - Darren Chester welcomes Minister Catherine King’s confirmation that the Eastern Beach Road intersection remains a priority
The federal government has increased funding to $6.6 million for the Lakes Entrance road safety upgrade, but Federal MP Darren Chester says state government delays continue to stall the vital project. - Wombat damage causes Main Northern Channel leak near Brewers Hill Road, repairs underway with wildlife considerations
Wombat burrows damaged the Main Northern Channel near Brewers Hill Road, Maffra. Repairs are underway, water supply reduced temporarily, with customer orders prioritised and wildlife protections considered. - Tim Bull says Health Minister Thomas will only consider the fully prepared Buchan project alongside other priorities
The Allan Labor government has refused funding for the new $6.5 million Buchan Bush Nursing Centre, leaving the ready-to-build project and vital rural healthcare services in limbo, says Tim Bull. - Eastern Victoria to receive over $1M for improved walking, cycling, and regional transport links
Eastern Victoria communities will benefit from over $1 million in funding for walking, cycling, and bus stop upgrades, improving local transport links through the Labor government’s Flexible Local Transport Solutions Program. - 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. - Tim Bull trashes misused Treasurer’s Advance as Allan government wastes $9M on costly failed camping trial
The Allan government spent $9 million in emergency funds on a failed free-camping trial, creating "ghost bookings" and hurting local businesses, prompting Nationals MP Tim Bull to condemn the misuse and demand accountability. - DEECA invites landcare groups to apply for Victorian government grants with $3.55M in total by 23 April 2026
Victorian Landcare Grants offer $3.55 million to support environmental volunteers, funding projects up to $20,000 that protect nature, restore habitats, and connect communities. Applications close 23 April 2026. - Community-led partnerships restore Kugerungmome/Powlett River catchment health on Bunurong Country, from source to sea
Community, Traditional Owners and agencies are restoring the Kugerungmome/Powlett River, delivering $1 million in on-ground works to protect culture, biodiversity and water quality across a 50,000-hectare catchment on Bunurong Country. - Melina Bath urges action on Gippsland youth crime with tougher penalties, stronger policing, and restored diversion funding
Melina Bath has demanded urgent action on Gippsland's escalating youth crime, calling for tougher penalties, stronger police presence, and restored diversion program funding to protect communities and restore safety. - Wellington libraries upgrade with RFID technology, enabling faster borrowing and improved user experiences across all branches over six months
Wellington libraries are upgrading with RFID technology, introducing self-loan stations, automated return chutes, and smart bins, improving borrowing efficiency, reducing manual handling, and allowing staff to focus on programs and services. - 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. - Melina Bath says after 11 years of Labor, Victoria’s public lands face neglect, higher risks, and degradation
The Silver Review recommends abolishing VEAC, a $1.4 million taxpayer-funded bureaucracy, as Labor’s ineffective agency failed to improve land management or address bushfire and environmental risks.
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