Work has begun on the $40.3 million project to connect Victoria’s largest unsewered town, Loch Sport, to a reticulated sewerage system.

Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan visited Loch Sport on Friday to inspect the first construction works on the Loch Sport Sewer Project.

Mr Ryan said more than 1500 residences would receive reticulated sewerage when the project is completed in 2015.

The Victorian Coalition Government contributed $9.2 million towards the planning phase of the project, with the remainder provided by Gippsland Water.

“The project will provide significant benefits for Loch Sport residents, as well as the Gippsland Lakes and its users,” Mr Ryan said.

“This can only be a good thing for everyone who enjoys fishing, swimming and boating in the iconic Gippsland Lakes.

“This project will also end many years of community concern regarding the public health and environmental risk of more than 1500 septic tanks situated on small sandy blocks beside Lake Wellington.”

Mr Ryan said the project had been a long time coming through its conception, investigation and planning stages.

“Loch Sport is the third community in the Wellington Shire connected to sewerage by Gippsland Water through the Victorian Government’s Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program, alongside Seaspray and Coongulla /Glenmaggie,” Mr Ryan said.

“These projects are significant to the future development of the Wellington Shire.”

Media contact: Stephanie Nicholls 0437 108 870 stephanie.nicholls@parliament.vic.gov.au Read More

A project to better connect Mansfield and improve its liveability will soon
be completed with the help of $100,000 in Coalition Government funding,
announced today by Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes on behalf of the Deputy
Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan. 
 
Dr Sykes said Mansfield Shire was one of Victoria’s fastest growing rural
municipalities, attracting more than 1.2 million visitors annually and
boasting population growth of 18 per cent over 10 years. 

“The Mansfield Landscaping and Pathways to Connect Community project will
consolidate Mansfield’s place as a prime tourism and rural/residential
lifestyle destination, supporting social and economic growth in the
community,” Dr Sykes said. 

“The project will improve key areas of public open space in the township,
building on its physical features and liveability. 

“Works will include improvements to the Botanical Gardens and the town
amenities used most by residents and tourists alike. 

“The project is consistent with Mansfield Shire’s strategic plans and
policies in relation to the preservation and enhancement of the key
characteristics of the town, which make it a prime tourism and lifestyle
destination.” 

Mansfield Shire Council’s Mayor, Cr Russell Bate said, “This particular
funding allows council to undertake works at Mansfield Botanic Park that
will make the Park more enjoyable for locals and visitors. In particular it
will allow the development of a series of connecting pathways that will
inter-connect community centres of activities around the greater Mansfield
township area.” 

Mr Ryan said the Victorian Coalition Government funding towards the $152,000 project
would be provided through the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund’s Putting
Locals First Program to Mansfield Shire Council, who will contribute the
remaining funding. 

“Putting Locals First is a $100 million initiative designed to enable
regional communities to plan and deliver the services and infrastructure to
meet local priorities,” Mr Ryan said. 

“It is supporting stronger and more sustainable regional communities by
building their capacity to drive development in their region.” 

The Mansfield Landscaping and Pathways to Connect Community project is
expected to be completed in October 2014. 

For more information about the Putting Locals First program, please visit
www.rdv.vic.gov.au/putting-locals-first  Read More

The Victorian Coalition Government will continue to support Victorians rebuilding after bushfire, by extending the role of full-time officers at the Rebuilding Advisory Service (RAS) within the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD). Read More

A new guide to landscaping and designing gardens to best defend homes against bushfires has been launched by Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show today.

Mr Ryan said the 65-page publication called Landscaping for Bushfire: Garden Design and Plant Selection was developed by the CFA in response to Recommendation 44 of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and would be an invaluable resource.

“With the right advice, landscaping and garden design can minimise the effects of direct flame contact and radiant heat on a house during a bushfire,” Mr Ryan said.

“Even though all plants burn in severe bushfire conditions, greater understanding of vegetation, suitable plant choices and more practical garden layouts can help reduce the likelihood of losing a home.”

CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson said the booklet and associated online tools would further educate people living in high-risk areas of simple measures to reduce the impact of bushfires.

“The booklet will demonstrate planning and design principles for gardens in coastal, hilly, rural and suburban environments,” Mr Ferguson said.

“It also discusses the importance of appropriate water supply, access, house construction and general property maintenance, as well as keeping areas around homes and other structures free of plants that could easily catch fire and ignite a building.

“For the first time, people can also assess the flammability of certain plant species using the plant selection key, which is available in the booklet as well as on the CFA’s website.

“The plant selection key will help guide decisions about the suitability of trees, plants or shrubs in gardens in areas of high bushfire risk.”

Mr Ryan said improved garden landscaping and design could help protect property, but on severe, extreme and code red days, leaving early was always the safest option.

To download a copy of the booklet or use the online plant selection tool visit: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firesafety/bushfire/prepare-your-property/prepare-garden.htm.

Media contact: Sonia Heath 0413 485 526 Read More

Planning Minister Matthew Guy has streamlined the planning process to enable the development of the Wilsons Promontory Gateway Tourist Facility at Yanakie.

“The amendment to the South Gippsland Planning Scheme facilitates the development of an environmentally responsive tourist precinct on the doorstep of the iconic Wilsons Promontory at 4215 Meeniyan-Promontory Road.

Tourism and Major Events Minister Louise Asher welcomed the amendment as it would contribute to the long term economic growth and sustainability of Gippsland by encouraging returning visitors, increasing both tourism and job opportunities.

“Investment attraction and development of our tourism infrastructure plays an important part in retaining Victoria’s competitiveness as a leading tourist destination,” Ms Asher said.

Mr Guy said the amendment would allow for the new tourist facility and subdivision to provide a significant local economic stimulus.

“Rezoning the land allows for individual cabins but excludes use of the land for permanent residences ensuring the integrity of the resort. The proposed development consists of 50 cabins, 20 semi-permanent safari tents, as well as a conference and restaurant facility,” Mr Guy said.

The tourist development has the support of the South Gippsland Shire Council, Parks Victoria and Tourism Victoria.

Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan said the tourism proposal had been long awaited, regionally significant and represented a turning point in the Prom’s history.

“The Coalition Government continues to provide for local employment opportunities by improving regional tourism, which in turn directly benefits Gippsland South,” Mr Ryan said.

Earlier this month Mr Guy brought forward the long awaited South Gippsland Rural Land Use Strategy 2011, which now provides very clear direction to support growth of dwellings and tourist activities in identified areas.

Amendment C57 will be gazetted shortly and available at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planningschemes.  Read More

Landowners in South Gippsland Shire now have more certainty following action by Planning Minister Matthew Guy to bring forward the long awaited South Gippsland Rural Land Use Strategy 2011. Read More