Gippsland Portal Local News:
GLGN seeks relocation of Officer Training FacilityGippsland Local Government Network seeks relocation of Officer Training Facility from Point Cook to East Sale. By Latrobe City Council - 15th February 2001 - Back to News •Tell us your opinion •See what others have said The Gippsland Local Government Network has made urgent representations to the State and Federal Governments, to have the Armed Forces Officer Training Facility transferred from Point Cook to East Sale.
The Gippsland Local Government Network (GLGN) is a regional organisation of seven Gippsland Councils, committed to developing Gippsland as a whole. The Wellington Shire, in which the East Sale RAAF Base is located, is one region represented by the GLGN.
GLGN Chair, Councillor Tony Hanning, said GLGN had made a commitment, as a matter of urgency, to pursue the relocation of the facility to Sale.
Former Defence Minister John Moore gave an undertaking to a Wellington Shire delegation that the relocation of the Officer Training Facility from Point Cook to East Sale would take place in two to three years.
However, Cr Hanning said the GLGN had heard Wagga was now working to secure the facility.
He said it was important the facility remained in Victoria, and the East Sale base was the obvious location.
“The East Sale RAAF Base has excellent facilities and is extremely well suited as the location for the Officer Training Facility,” Councillor Hanning said.
Wellington Mayor, Councillor Gordon Cameron, said Wellington Shire Council met with the Premier earlier this month seeking support for its campaign to become the new home of the Officer Training Facility.
On Friday, Wellington Shire Council also hosted the Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Marshal EJ McCormack, at a Civic Reception honouring the important role of the RAAF within the Wellington community.
Councillor Cameron said the RAAF Base was a vital facility in the Wellington Shire, and indeed in the Gippsland region, providing more employment and contributing significantly to the local and regional economy.
“The addition of the Officer Training Facility would enhance the range of services at the Base and assist in ensuring the long-term viability and security of the Armed Services installation in Gippsland,” Councillor Cameron said.
Councillor Hanning said the Gippsland Local Government Network had requested the support of the State Government in making representations to the Federal Government regarding the very strong rationale for the relocation of the Officer Training Facility to Sale.
“If the facility has to move from Point Cook, then it should be relocated to a Victorian location. We cannot afford to lose significant support services out of this State, when the economies of regional Victoria and in particular Gippsland, need boosting,” Councillor Hanning concluded.
Media Enquiries:
GLGN Chairperson: Cr Tony Hanning, Mayor, Latrobe City.
Telephone: 0417 373 577
Cr Gordon Cameron, Mayor, Wellington Shire.
c/o Jo Crawford Telephone: 5142 3458
GLGN Secretary: Ms. Penny Holloway, CEO, Latrobe City.
Telephone: 5173 1401 or 0417 557 103
Jeremy Bein, Public Relations and Communications Officer,
Latrobe City. Telephone: 5173 1468
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com
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