Nathan Hersey takes Gippsland’s case to Canberra
One Gippsland pressed Darren Chester on roads, housing, health and disaster resilience as the region keeps pushing Canberra for investment
SOUTH Gippsland Shire Mayor Nathan Hersey took the region’s wish list back to Canberra, leading a One Gippsland delegation to Parliament House.
Cr Hersey, who chairs the regional advocacy group, was joined by South Gippsland Shire Council chief executive Allison Jones, Food and Fibre Gippsland chief executive Simon Johnson, Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Kate Wilson and Baw Baw Shire Council chief executive Tilla Buden.
The delegation met Federal Gippsland MP Darren Chester to press the case for better roads and freight connections, housing and liveability, health services and disaster resilience, along with opportunities in the food and fibre, tourism and new energy sectors.
One Gippsland brings together the Bass Coast, South Gippsland, Baw Baw, Latrobe, Wellington and East Gippsland councils with Destination Gippsland, Federation University, Food and Fibre Gippsland, TAFE Gippsland and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.
Mr Chester said a united regional approach helped ensure Gippsland’s priorities were heard by decision-makers in Canberra.
“One Gippsland brings together local government and industry voices from across our region, and it was valuable to discuss the practical investments and policy decisions needed to support Gippsland’s future,” he said.
“Better transport connections, access to housing and health services, stronger disaster resilience and opportunities to grow our traditional and emerging industries all have a direct impact on the strength of our communities.
“These are the investments that help attract private sector investment, create local jobs and give young Gippslanders more reasons to build their future in our region.”
Mr Chester said established industries such as agriculture and tourism offered significant opportunities, while new industries could bring extra investment and jobs if regional communities were properly supported.
“Regional communities need reliable infrastructure and services if we are going to capitalise on the opportunities ahead of us,” he said.
The visit follows a trip to Canberra in March, when the group met Mr Chester and Federal Monash MP Mary Aldred ahead of the federal budget.
In his mayoral message after that trip, Cr Hersey listed South Gippsland’s priorities as the Leongatha heavy vehicle alternate route, arterial road funding, more mobile black spot funding, stronger telecommunications during emergencies, the Nanjet tourism and cultural project at Yanakie, infrastructure for new housing and port use linked to the declared offshore wind zone.
One Gippsland said in May the federal budget had missed the mark for the region, with no Gippsland-specific road or freight projects in its $8.6 billion infrastructure program and no dedicated regional tourism investment.
“We are one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and Gippsland’s growth must be matched by long-term investment in transport, housing, community infrastructure and essential services,” Cr Hersey said at the time.
The group did welcome a $500 million regional share of a $2 billion fund for housing-enabling infrastructure such as roads, water, power and sewerage.
The latest Canberra visit comes as One Gippsland runs a weekly tracker of party commitments in the lead-up to the November 28 state election.
