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 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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Samantha Holmes and Brett Savory have taken over Eagle Point Foreshore Hub, renaming its café The Nest, offering local produce, dining, takeaway and catering while supporting community connections. - Major GRISS upgrade strengthens Gippsland’s premier indoor sports and events venue for future growth
The upgraded Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium was officially opened, delivering modern facilities, supporting local jobs, and strengthening its role as Gippsland's leading venue for community sport and major events. - Martin Cameron and Melina Bath heard Gippsland builders’ concerns, pledge reforms to improve housing affordability and supply
Martin Cameron and Melina Bath met Gippsland builders to discuss housing affordability challenges, citing rising taxes, fees and planning delays. The Nationals and Liberals propose faster approvals, increased land supply and tax relief. - Working together to secure East Gippsland's water future through integrated water management
East Gippsland CMA and regional partners are collaborating through Integrated Water Management to address climate, flooding, population growth, stormwater, recycled water and wetland protection challenges while planning sustainable projects. - Nationals and Liberals unveil $40M plan to strengthen Gippsland's regional health workforce and services
The Nationals and Liberals propose a $40 million rural health workforce scheme, offering incentives up to $10,000 for relocation and accommodation to attract healthcare professionals to regional Victoria. - Danny O’Brien urges premier to delay Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November state election
Danny O’Brien urges the Premier to delay VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November’s election, allowing community input and addressing landholder and environmental concerns. - Danny O’Brien urges Premier to delay Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November state election
Danny O’Brien is urging the Premier to delay awarding VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November’s state election, citing landholder concerns and unresolved environmental, financial and property impacts. - Community groups encouraged to apply for East Gippsland’s 2026-27 grants program before 14 September 20260 deadline
East Gippsland community groups can apply for 2026–27 grants supporting community, environmental, social and wellbeing projects, with funding from $3,000 to $20,000 available until September 14, 2026. - Gemma Rendell and Darren Chester urge Gippslanders to add vegetables daily through new healthy eating campaign
The "Get the Edge. Eat More Veg" campaign launched in Sale, urging Gippslanders to add one extra vegetable served daily while supporting local growers, jobs and health. - 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. - Five additional VLocity train sets to boost Gippsland Line capacity and ease crowding as the Nationals commitment
The Nationals will add five VLocity train sets to Gippsland services, providing 1,110 extra seats and enabling longer trains during peak periods to ease overcrowding on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services. - Yarragon weekend escape offers country hospitality, local flavours, shopping and scenic West Gippsland adventures
Yarragon offers an easy West Gippsland weekend escape from Melbourne, combining boutique shopping, local food and wine, scenic walks, galleries, markets and welcoming country accommodation. - Youth board opportunity to help shape the future of West Gippsland’s Catchments and natural environment
West Gippsland CMA is seeking an Associate Board Member aged 18–34 to contribute youth perspectives on natural resource management. Gain governance skills, training and mentorship. Apply with a resume and cover letter by 30 November 2026. - Victorian government funding to help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production, create jobs and boost housing supply
Victorian government funding will help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production with robotics, create six jobs, boost housing construction capacity and strengthen Gippsland's local building supply chain. - Labor government boosts Latrobe Valley businesses with funding to strengthen supply chains, expand markets and support future growth
The Carroll Labor government is funding six Latrobe Valley businesses to upgrade equipment, software and skills, strengthen supply chains and expand markets. - New Heart Morass watering infrastructure strengthens Gippsland Lakes wetland health and protects freshwater flows for future generations
New watering infrastructure at Heart Morass enables controlled freshwater flows, reducing salinity and supporting wetland health, wildlife habitat and long-term resilience across the Gippsland Lakes. - Coal Creek Sunday Sessions bring local musicians together for two afternoons of live music and family-friendly entertainment in November 2026
Coal Creek’s Sunday Sessions will feature local soloists, duos and musical groups across two family-friendly afternoons of live music on November 15 and 29. - 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. - 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. - Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions. - The Nationals call for urgent public housing repairs as 147 Gippsland South properties remain vacant amid growing housing crisis
The Nationals MP Danny O'Brien is calling for urgent repairs to 147 vacant public housing properties across Gippsland South, saying homes should be occupied amid the region's housing crisis. - Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities. - Darren Chester releases 2026 Age Pension Guide to help older Gippslanders navigate retirement support and services
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has released his 2026 Age Pension Guide, providing older Gippslanders, pensioners, carers and families with information about pensions, concessions, aged care and government services. - Sailors Grave Brewing celebrates ten years, turning East Gippsland's produce and remote coast into a destination
Sailors Grave Brewing celebrates ten years, growing from an Orbost butter factory brewery into a celebrated Marlo destination showcasing East Gippsland’s produce, landscapes, creativity and community through distinctive beers and local food. - Victorian Councils urge parties to preserve local choice in glass collection models and expand container deposit recycling benefits
A coalition of 41 Victorian councils is urging major parties to preserve local choice in glass collection, expand container deposit recycling benefits and maximise recovery while minimising costs for communities. - Melina Bath calls on Labor to protect locally raised foreshore funds and community priorities across Eastern Victoria
Nationals MP Melina Bath has urged Labor to guarantee $500,000 raised by San Remo residents remains dedicated to local foreshore projects following committee merger concerns. - Darren Chester urges federal government to restore wild dog funding, backing farmers' calls for national management certainty
Shadow Minister Darren Chester is urging the federal government to restore national wild dog funding, warning of $302 million annual agricultural losses and significant impacts on farmers, wildlife and regional communities. - Darren Chester praises Schoolworks’ Big Bairnsdale Book Bazaar celebrating Gippsland authors, illustrators and community love of reading
Federal Member Darren Chester praised Schoolworks Supplies for hosting The Big Bairnsdale Book Bazaar, featuring over 25 Gippsland authors and illustrators, free workshops, and celebrating local creativity, literacy and independent businesses.
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