Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Darren Chester welcomes Bairnsdale Centre’s innovative regional healthcare expansion and access improvementsDarren Chester praised Bairnsdale’s Centre Combined Health, highlighting its innovative model improving regional access to specialists, allied health, wellness services, and addressing workforce challenges in East Gippsland. By news@gippsland - 9th April 2026 - Back to News Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the growth in The Centre Combined Health in Bairnsdale, describing it as an innovative approach to improving access to healthcare services in regional communities. Mr Chester recently visited the purpose-built facility which serves to connect East Gippslanders with a wide range of medical specialists and allied health services closer to home. 
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester with The Centre Combined Health’s Carolyn Donchi and Jodie Gilbert Integrated health centreMr Chester said, "The Centre Combined Health has great potential and is a welcome addition to East Gippsland’s healthcare network as it expands its operations to include visiting specialists from Epworth HealthCare. It brings together a diverse mix of trusted professionals under one roof, making it easier for local residents to access specialist care without needing to travel long distances." The Centre provides a modern, flexible space for medical specialists, allied health providers, NDIS and Aged Care services and wellness practitioners, with consulting rooms, studios and event spaces available on both a casual and longer-term basis. Regional health servicesServices available through The Centre span a broad range of disciplines, including orthopaedics, general surgery, neurology, psychiatry, gynaecology, obstetrics and geriatrics, alongside allied health, in-home support services, prosthetics and orthotics, and wellness offerings such as yoga, meditation and pilates. Mr Chester said initiatives like The Centre are critical in addressing long-standing workforce challenges in regional healthcare. "We know there are ongoing challenges when it comes to recruiting and retaining health professionals in regional Australia. This model provides a practical solution by creating a professional, collaborative environment that supports visiting specialists and local providers, while expanding the range of services available to the community," he said Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Darren Chester welcomes CBA Branch commitment, calls for stronger long-term regional banking protections across Gippsland
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s commitment to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while seeking stronger long-term protections for face-to-face banking services. - Darren Chester met Latrobe Health Assembly representatives to discuss tackling youth food insecurity, poor nutrition and regional health priorities
Gippsland MP Darren Chester is exploring funding for a Latrobe Valley initiative involving local health and education organisations to provide free healthy meals twice weekly, addressing student hunger, poor nutrition and wellbeing. - Darren Chester welcomes Mallacoota students to Parliament House during Canberra visit, discussing democracy and the role of elected representatives
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed Mallacoota P-12 College students to Parliament House during their Canberra visit, discussing Federal Parliament, democracy and the role of elected representatives. - Darren Chester welcomes progress on critical Krauatungalung Walk boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed progress on the Krauatungalung Walk’s next stage, with local firm DesignCo Builders awarded the contract to complete the critical boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance. - Darren Chester welcomes progress on critical Krauatungalung Walk boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed progress on the Krauatungalung Walk’s next stage, with local firm DesignCo Builders awarded the contract to complete the critical boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance. - Darren Chester visits Aussie Broadband’s Traralgon office, highlighting reliable telecommunications for Gippsland’s regional communities and businesses
Darren Chester met Aussie Broadband executives in Traralgon to discuss improving regional mobile coverage, faster internet speeds, telecommunications resilience, and investment in local jobs and skills development. - Darren Chester says Labor's national firearms buyback unfairly targets law-abiding regional firearm owners instead of addressing crime and security
Nationals representatives Gemma Rendell, Darren Chester and Bridget McKenzie joined East Gippsland firearm owners in Bairnsdale, opposing Labor's buyback and further restrictions while supporting lawful firearm use in regional communities. - Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and State MPs to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia’s school lunch program
Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and MPs Marty Cameron and Melina Bath to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia, providing free school lunches to disadvantaged children across Gippsland. - Darren Chester congratulates Gippsland Agricultural Group on successful Gippsland Red Meat Conference in Sale
Darren Chester has praised the successful Gippsland Red Meat Conference in Sale, highlighting industry collaboration, innovation, productivity and the need to reduce red tape for farming families. - Darren Chester slams Victorian Labor over five-year delay in critical Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade despite federal funding
Darren Chester has slammed Victoria's Labor Government over the stalled Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade, despite $10m federal funding committed in 2021, saying Gippsland communities have waited five years for promised safety improvements. - Darren Chester warns Gippslanders to prepare for potential mass native bird deaths following H5 bird flu detection
Darren Chester is urging Gippslanders to prepare for potential native bird deaths after H5 bird flu was detected at Lakes Entrance, warning of significant wildlife impacts and calling for coordinated biosecurity measures. - Darren Chester demands urgent Labor investment to fix dangerous Princes Highway and Gippsland arterial roads
Darren Chester urged Labor governments to urgently fund Gippsland roads, citing dangerous conditions, poor maintenance and reduced investment while highlighting previous Coalition funding for highway and arterial road upgrades. - Darren Chester discusses democracy, civics and federal parliament with St Paul's Year 9 students in Traralgon
Darren Chester visited St Paul's Anglican Grammar School in Traralgon, discussing civics, democracy, Parliament and community issues with engaged Year 9 students and encouraging young people to participate in Australia's democratic process. - 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 joins Annabel Crabb for locally sourced Gippsland feast on ABC's Kitchen Cabinet series
Darren Chester will feature on ABC's Kitchen Cabinet with Annabel Crabb, showcasing Gippsland produce and locally sourced food when the episode airs August 25. - Darren Chester blames Labor-Greens timber shutdown as Maryvale Mill job losses hit Gippsland workers and families
Federal MP Darren Chester says 84 more Maryvale Mill job losses stem from Labor-Greens forestry policies, urging state and federal governments to fund an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley. - 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. - Darren Chester calls for Aged Care Minister's resignation over home support delays
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called for Aged Care Minister Sam Rae's resignation, citing lengthy Support at Home delays, unanswered assistance requests and thousands of deaths while awaiting support. - Darren Chester joined Wellington Shire representatives to welcome 57 new citizens at The Wedge ceremony
Wellington Shire welcomed 57 new Australian citizens at The Wedge, with Federal Member Darren Chester and council representatives celebrating their milestone and contributions to Gippsland communities. - Darren Chester congratulates Maffra student Jaxon Marshall on National Youth Parliament selection representing Gippsland in Canberra
Maffra Secondary College student Jaxon Marshall will represent Gippsland at the 2026 National Youth Parliament, earning praise from Darren Chester for bringing regional and agricultural perspectives to Canberra. - Darren Chester encourages Gippslanders to capture region's beauty for the 2027 #lovegippsland Calendar Competition un 25 September 2026
Gippslanders are invited to enter the 2027 #lovegippsland photography competition, with 13 images selected for the calendar and entries closing September 25, 2026. - Darren Chester says growers and industry groups are concerned Labor's visa processing pause is creating uncertainty for farmers
Australian farmers warn delayed visa processing for seasonal and skilled workers could worsen labour shortages, disrupt harvests, reduce food production and push fresh produce prices higher for Australian families. - 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. - Gippsland students impress Darren Chester with their understanding of Australian democracy and government
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester praised St Mary’s Primary School Maffra students for their strong understanding of Australian democracy, Parliament and government during a recent civics visit and discussion. - New Bairnsdale worker accommodation nears completion, boosting healthcare workforce capacity across East Gippsland communities
Bairnsdale new 28-apartment healthcare worker accommodation is nearing completion, providing affordable housing for up to 32 staff and strengthening regional health services while supporting local jobs and investment. - New Bairnsdale footpath to improve access between Princes Highway and key health and community facilities
A new 280-metre concrete footpath will link Bairnsdale’s Princes Highway with key health and community facilities, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians, with construction beginning September 21 and lasting six weeks. - Labor announces four new regional early learning centres for 2029, expanding access to kindergarten and long daycare places
Labor will open four new Early Learning Victoria centres in Alexandra, Drouin, Hamilton and Seymour from 2029, providing more than 400 childcare and kindergarten places across regional Victoria. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
New nurse-to-patient ratios have passed Parliament, with Gippsland hospitals reclassified, but workforce shortages and funding pressures raise concerns over implementation and patient care. - Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere. - Latrobe Regional Gallery launches spring season with five exhibitions and live mural creation on 19 September 2026 In Morwell
Latrobe Regional Gallery will launch its Spring Season on Saturday, September 19, featuring five exhibitions and a live monumental mural by Japanese-Australian artist Twoone/Hiroyasu Tsuri during the Morwell event. - The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development. - Latrobe Regional Gallery unveils spring exhibitions celebrating place, culture, community, history and the natural world
Latrobe Regional Gallery spring program features five exhibitions exploring Gippsland places, community, culture, history and nature, alongside Japanese traditions and contemporary artistic responses. - Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care. - Regional Development $750,000 investment expands employment and education support for 120 Latrobe Valley young people through 2028
The Victorian government is investing a further $750,000 in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Program, supporting 120 young people with employment, education, training and independence opportunities through 2028. - Visa delays threaten regional harvest workforce as farmers and tourism employers demand urgent federal government action before summer
Farmers, tourism operators and regional employers warn visa delays could cause critical workforce shortages during summer harvest and tourism periods, urging the Federal government to restore timely visa processing. - Latrobe City recognised among Australia's most affordable regional centres for businesses, investors and skilled workers
Latrobe City welcomes research ranking Traralgon-Morwell third nationally for affordability, highlighting lower costs, skilled workers, infrastructure and investment opportunities across emerging industries. - State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre in Wonthaggi receives major flooring upgrade, enhancing accessibility, creativity and community connection
Living Local Regional Fund support has upgraded Bass Coast’s historic State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre, improving safety and accessibility while strengthening community programs, creativity, wellbeing, fitness and social connection. - 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. - East Gippsland welcomes 27 new Australians from 13 countries at citizenship ceremony on Australian Citizenship Day
East Gippsland welcomed 27 new Australians from 13 countries at a citizenship ceremony in Lucknow, celebrating Australian Citizenship Day and the diversity new citizens bring to the community. - Martin Cameron backs Regional road funding to fix dangerous, neglected Latrobe Valley roads and bridges
A proposed $288 million Country Roads and Bridges program would give Latrobe City $1.5 million annually for four years to repair and upgrade local roads and bridges. - Flight test command centre opens, strengthening Latrobe's role in Australia's advanced aviation innovation sector and creating new opportunities
Latrobe's new Flight Test Range Command Centre has opened at Latrobe Regional Airport, supporting advanced aviation research, drone technology, investment, manufacturing growth and skilled jobs across the region. - Warragul Leisure Centre extends outdoor pool season following community feedback with revised opening hours through April 2027
Warragul Leisure Centre will extend outdoor pool access from October, introducing revised opening hours following community feedback, with the schedule continuing through April 10, 2027. - 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. - Flight Test Range Command Centre opens at Latrobe Airport, boosting Gippsland's drone and aerospace industries and economic diversification
A new Flight Test Range Command Centre at Latrobe Regional Airport will support drone and aerospace innovation, attract investment and create jobs across Gippsland's emerging Advanced Air Mobility sector. - Upgraded Traralgon Indoor Stadium welcomes more community sport and elite events with $6M investment
A $6 million upgrade to Traralgon Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium delivers improved facilities, creates local jobs, and positions the venue to attract more elite sporting events and community participation. - Latrobe City Council will push six reforms addressing regional investment, housing, infrastructure, funding fairness and sustainability at MAV State Council
Latrobe City Council will take six reform proposals to the MAV State Council, targeting fairer funding, housing, planning, investment, infrastructure and support for regional communities. - New Flight Test Command Centre opens at Latrobe Airport, boosting advanced aviation jobs, investment and innovation
A new Flight Test Range Command Centre at Latrobe Regional Airport has opened, supporting advanced aviation research, attracting investment, strengthening local businesses and creating new jobs across Gippsland. - Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi. - West Gippsland Arts Centre opens 2027 exhibition applications for artists and creatives across all visual disciplines and genres
West Gippsland Arts Centre is inviting artists across visual disciplines to submit expressions of interest for its 2027 exhibition program, with submissions closing October 12, 2026. - Warragul Library Centre moves closer with early works starting ahead of major construction and 2028 opening
Early works for Warragul $30 million Library and Learning Centre will begin next week, preparing the site for construction. The facility will feature library, cultural, meeting and co-working spaces, opening in 2028. - Carran Carran restoration project strengthens river health, habitat connectivity and flood resilience across West Gippsland
West Gippsland CMA's long-term Carran Carran restoration project is improving river health, reducing flood-related avulsion risks, restoring habitat connectivity, controlling willows and supporting native fish, agriculture and communities. - Reliable water access drives Busch Organics' sustainable farming success and secures its fourth-generation future in East Gippsland
Busch Organics relies on Mitchell River and groundwater to sustain organic vegetable production, while soil moisture technology, sustainable practices and family farming strengthen productivity and future generations. - Farmers across East Gippsland and Wellington are invited to shape regional agricultural priorities, advocacy, support and investment
Farmers across East Gippsland and Wellington are being asked to complete a survey helping three agencies update agricultural priorities, identify emerging challenges and strengthen regional advocacy, support and investment. - International partners visit Gippsland to explore energy diversification and regional development opportunities firsthand together
One Gippsland hosted European partners for a five-day Gippsland visit, exploring energy diversification, regional development, workforce opportunities, infrastructure, agriculture and collaboration between Australian and European regions. - Latrobe City endorses draft Moe Activity Centre Plan to guide future town centre growth and development
Latrobe City Council endorsed the draft Moe Activity Centre Plan for public exhibition, outlining long-term CBD growth, planning reforms, improved public spaces and transport, with Planning Scheme Amendment C155 exhibition proposed for late 2026. - Open House Latrobe Festival offers behind-the-scenes access to region's unique buildings, stories, communities and cultural heritage from 9 - 11 October
Open House Latrobe will run from 9-11 October, offering behind-the-scenes access to more than 30 sites while celebrating the region's history, culture, industries, environment and future. - The Nationals warn visa delays threaten harvest workforce, food supply and regional farmers already facing mounting pressures
The Nationals warn visa delays are threatening critical harvest and agricultural workforces, urging Labor to provide certainty, faster approvals and migration settings supporting farmers, regional communities and food supply. - 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. - Katie Noonan brings intimate 'Alone But All One' tour to Cowes for regional Australian audiences on 10 October 2026
Katie Noonan brings her intimate Alone But All One tour to Cowes’ Berninneit October 10, with interview opportunities September 23 and ticket giveaways available for audiences through Gippsland.com. - East Gippsland Council advocates National Sovereign Wealth Fund to deliver long-term regional benefits from resource revenues
East Gippsland Council will advocate for a national Sovereign Wealth Fund funded by resource revenues, supporting long-term regional investment, infrastructure, resilience and intergenerational benefits while reducing reliance on competitive grants. - New drinking fountains improve free water access across Sale's popular recreation facilities
Sale's major recreation facilities now offer improved free drinking water access, with new fountains at Aqua Energy, Port of Sale and Gippsland Regional Sports Complex, supporting hydration and reusable bottle use. - Gippsland Water backs biochar research to transform biosolids into sustainable soil health and waste management solutions
Gippsland Water is supporting national research into converting wastewater biosolids into biochar, aiming to improve soil health, advance sustainable waste management, and assess contaminant destruction, including PFAS, through innovative recycling. - Latrobe Valley commuters will receive longer trains and more seats under a Nationals-Liberals plan to increase regional rail capacity and reduce crowding
The Nationals and Liberals plan to allocate five additional V’Locity sets to Traralgon and Bairnsdale, delivering 1,100 extra seats and reducing regional rail crowding. - The Nationals slam Labor's secret public transport tax funding costly suburban rail loop as regional Victorians bear the burden
The Nationals accuse Victoria's Labor government of secretly taxing public transport users $8 billion to fund the Suburban Rail Loop, while regional communities receive disproportionately less infrastructure funding. - Gippsland commuters stranded after V/Line services end early, prompting calls for reliable regional rail services
Melina Bath criticised Gippsland rail disruptions after AFL fans were stranded following an early service cutoff, calling for reliable regional transport and promising 1,110 additional seats on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services. - Howitt Park pedestrian bridge replacement begins, delivering safer and more accessible Clifton Creek crossing by December
Work begins this month to replace Howitt Park's ageing timber pedestrian bridge with a $652,420 accessible steel and concrete crossing, improving safety and accessibility before expected completion in December. - Moondarra Reservoir gains new pathway and native garden beds, enhancing recreation, accessibility and Aboriginal cultural connections
Gippsland Water has completed a new pathway and native garden beds at Moondarra Reservoir, improving visitor access, enhancing recreation and incorporating local flora, Aboriginal cultural information and community collaboration. - Maryvale Recreation Reserve redevelopment delivers upgraded sporting facilities, accessibility and community infrastructure
Maryvale Recreation Reserve has undergone a $1.39 million redevelopment, delivering accessible cricket facilities, upgraded amenities, improved drainage, resurfacing and safety improvements through state government and Latrobe City Council funding. - Parma for a Farmer returns to Poowong, bringing free food, laughter, community and mental health support on 17 September 2026
Parma for a Farmer returns to the Poowong Hotel on September 17, offering local farmers and workers a free meal, comedy, connection and conversations supporting mental health and wellbeing. - Walhalla Museum launches virtual reality experience bringing gold mining history to life for visitors through new Regional Tourism upgrade project
Walhalla Museum has launched a $50,000-funded virtual reality experience showcasing its gold mining history, with multilingual and accessible visitor facilities supported through the Victorian government's Tiny Towns Fund. - Heyfield childcare faces closure after losing federal funding, putting local families, educators and essential community services at risk
Heyfield's only childcare service faces closure after losing $270,000 in federal funding, prompting Darren Chester to seek urgent assistance while a Senate inquiry examines rural and regional child care access. - Dental experts warn Labor plan could worsen lengthy public dental waits for vulnerable Gippslanders across regional Victoria
Dental experts warn Labor's proposed public dental expansion could worsen Gippsland wait times, with vulnerable residents already facing waits exceeding two years in some areas. - Gippsland Water invests $3.4M renewing ageing water and sewer infrastructure across regional communities
Gippsland Water invested $3.4 million renewing ageing water and sewer assets, replacing 3.9 kilometres of water mains and relining 6.2 kilometres of sewer mains across Gippsland. - Sale coffee cup campaign spreads strong community message against domestic and family violence across local businesses
Sale's Rotary Club has launched a coffee cup awareness campaign against domestic and family violence, with MPs Darren Chester and Danny O'Brien urging businesses and residents to support the initiative. - Seacombe fire prompts calls for greater fuel reduction, improved firebreaks and stronger emergency access around Loch Sport communities
The Seacombe fire has prompted calls for increased fuel reduction, improved firebreaks and emergency access, with Loch Sport residents seeking stronger bushfire prevention measures. - Wellington Shire Council backs campaign seeking greater rural investment, improved roads, infrastructure funding and regional economic growth
Wellington Shire Council is backing Rural Councils Victoria’s campaign for greater investment in rural infrastructure, including roads, community facilities and a proposed $1 billion regional productivity and growth fund. - East Gippsland planning roadshow brings expert advice to Mallacoota residents, improving access to local services
East Gippsland Shire Council's Planning Roadshow will visit Mallacoota on August 17, offering residents face-to-face planning advice, permit guidance and access to the new AI-powered myLot planning tool. - East Gippsland simplifies footpath permit fees, reducing costs for businesses while supporting safe, vibrant, accessible town centres
East Gippsland Shire Council has introduced a simplified, tiered Goods on Footpath permit fee structure, reducing costs for many businesses while supporting vibrant town centres and maintaining safe, accessible public spaces. - Martin Cameron seeks government answers over delays threatening Latrobe Magnesium's commercial project and regional investment
Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost. - Melina Bath accuses Labor of failing to curb illicit tobacco crime and escalating violence across regional Victoria
The Nationals have criticised Labor over ongoing illicit tobacco crime, citing alleged abductions, violence, intimidation and suspected illegal stores, while questioning Victoria’s tobacco licensing scheme effectiveness. - Wellington Shire Council secures $2M for road safety improvements across five Gippsland towns before mid-2027
Wellington Shire Council has secured $2 million for road safety upgrades across Maffra, Stratford, Sale, Wurruk and Heyfield, with works beginning before Christmas and completion expected by mid-2027.
|
|
