Press Releases

Almost $12 million is on offer to emergency services groups for the purchase of vital resources such as rescue equipment, trucks and facility upgrades, Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan said today

Mr Ryan said the Coalition Government’s $11.95 million Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program was offering grants of up to $100,000 to ensure local volunteers are equipped to respond to emergencies and natural disasters.

“Emergency services volunteers play a crucial role in protecting lives and property and the Victorian Coalition Government is pleased to provide record funding to boost the capability of local volunteers to respond to emergencies,” Mr Ryan said.

“From surf lifesavers to fire fighters, our volunteers are the backbone of Victoria’s emergency services, so we want to ensure they have the best equipment available to help them carry on their vital work.

“By committing more money for equipment and upgrades than ever before, the Coalition Government is ensuring our emergency services have the resources they need to continue their vital work for the community.”

Mr Ryan said the grants may be used to pay for upgrades to group facilities or for the equipment needed to assist in emergencies, such as trucks, trailers and generators.

“The VESEP will also contribute $2 for every $1 of funding raised by local volunteer groups,” Mr Ryan said.

The VESEP grants program is open to members of the Country Fire Authority, Victoria State Emergency Service, Life Saving Victoria, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and other eligible volunteer groups.

Each agency will distribute specific guidelines on selection criteria, application forms and about application lodgement dates to its members and applications will be assessed by a panel of representatives from government and emergency services organisations.

Further information is available from www.justice.vic.gov.au, or email vesep@justice.vic.gov.au.

Media contact: Ben Bulmer 0437 108 870 Read More

Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan today announced that community groups across Gippsland South would receive $1,338,412 as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s $20 million Communities for Nature grants program.  Read More

Work to improve security of water supply in the Mitchell River basin will begin immediately under a Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Government.

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Rural and Regional Development Peter Ryan today announced $1 million for Stage 1 of the East Gippsland Water Security Project.
 
“The East Gippsland Water Security Project will secure the region’s water supplies with no increase in extractions from the Mitchell River or its tributaries,” Mr Ryan said.

“We will spend $1 million to undertake detailed planning to determine whether the construction an off-stream storage that fills in winter to ease pumping restrictions in summer or aquifer recharge is the best solution.

“This funding will enable the Coalition, in government, to carry out the thorough modelling, rigorous environmental assessments and community consultation necessary to move the project forward.”

Mr Ryan announced the funding for the East Gippsland Water Security Project at a meeting with irrigators in Bairnsdale today.

“When complete, the project will deliver significant economic, environmental and social benefits to East Gippsland and will provide the vegetable industry, which has a farm-gate value of $27 million annually, with a secure and consistent water supply,” Mr Ryan said.

“It will deliver summer environmental flows in the Mitchell River and provide long-term water security for one of Victoria’s fastest-growing regions,” Mr Ryan said.

The Nationals Candidate for Gippsland East Tim Bull said under a Coalition Government, vegetable growers in the Lindenow Valley would be able to increase exports and maintain a consistent share of the domestic market.

“Improved water security will, not only secure those 1000 jobs connected to this vital industry, but it will also create an estimated 100 to 150 on-farm jobs in the region in addition to employment in associated industries such as manufacturing and transport,” Mr Bull said.

“The Coalition’s solution delivers a win for the community, a win for irrigators and a win for the environment.”

Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources Peter Walsh said the announcement demonstrated the Coalition’s commitment to the region.

“The region’s need for water security has been ignored by Craig Ingram and the Labor Government for more than a decade,” Mr Walsh said.

“Agriculture on the Lindenow Flats has been constrained because they have failed to provide a solution to the lack of water security during dry summer months.

“The Liberals and Nationals in government are committed to working with the community, East Gippsland Water and the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority to this rectify this problem,” Mr Walsh said. Read More