ONE GIPPSLAND BRINGS POSITIVE VISION TO SPRING STREET

L-R Ms Fiona Weigall Acting CEO East Gippsland Shire Council, Ms Kerryn Ellis CEO South Gippsland Shire Council, Cr Annmarie McCabe Deputy Chair One Gippsland and Mayor Baw Baw Shire Council, Mr Paul Buckley Chair TAFE Gippsland, Hon Lily D'Ambrosio MP Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources and Minister for State Electricity Commission, Cr Tom Crook Mayor East Gippsland Shire Council, Cr Ian Bye Chair of One Gippsland and Mayor of Wellington Shire Council, Mr David Morcom CEO Wellington Shire Council and Professor Andrew O'Loughlin, Head of Gippsland Campus Federation University.

One Gippsland has put forward a positive vision for the region’s future during meetings with the Victorian Government, highlighting that Gippsland is on the cusp of historic transformation.

Mayor of Wellington Shire and Chair of One Gippsland, Cr Ian Bye said “Gippsland is a region ready to play a significant role for our country, and we are looking to partner with the Government to get the infrastructure investment right for the change that’s ahead.”

One Gippsland has put forward an exciting blueprint for the region’s economic future in a series of high-level meetings at Victorian Parliament, emphasizing the need to kick-start existing and new industries so the region can reap the benefits of the change ahead.

One Gippsland travelled to Victorian Parliament to meet with:

  • Hon Lily d’Ambrosio MP Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for State Electricity Commission;

  • Ms Elizabeth Molneux Deputy Secretary Energy Group, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action;

  • Hon Gayle Tierney MLC Minister for Skills and TAFE and Minister for Regional Development;

  • Hon Melissa Horne MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation.

 “We would like to see a transport and freight network that is well-equipped to support the transition to new industries, along with investment to build the skills and workforce of the future,” Cr Bye explained.

One Gippsland also advocated for a new Community Benefit Fund accompanied by investment in planning and infrastructure to ensure the region has the right resources to support offshore wind and renewable energy projects.

“From a big picture perspective, One Gippsland is ready to play a major role in the nation’s energy transition but it’s important that this is backed up with investment at the local community level,” Cr Bye explained.

One Gippsland also advocated for enhancements to digital connectivity across the region, for both economic growth and as an essential service during natural disasters.
 
“Recent significant weather events have highlighted the need to build greater resilience in our mobile and digital networks, a priority echoed by communities all throughout Gippsland ” Cr Bye explained.
 
The One Gippsland Pre-budget Submission 2024-25 names a number of key investment areas that are critical to the development of the region:

  • Transport and Freight: Network investment, planning and road safety;

  • Offshore Wind and New Energy: Local and Community Benefit Framework;

  • Tourism Recovery: First Nations Cultural Experience and Historic Dinosaur Trail;

  • Education: Building the skills for the future; and

  • Digital Connectivity: to support sector growth and improve disaster response.

  Cr Bye concluded, "One Gippsland has a positive vision for the region’s future and it looks forward to working with the Victorian Government to ensure Gippsland  is well-positioned for change."

L-R Ms Fiona Weigall Acting CEO East Gippsland Shire Council, Cr Ian Bye Chair of One Gippsland and Mayor of Wellington Shire Council, Cr Tom Crook Mayor East Gippsland Shire Council, Hon Gayle Tierney MLC Minister for Skills and TAFE and Minister for Regional Development, Mr Paul Buckley Chair TAFE Gippsland, Cr Annmarie McCabe Deputy Chair One Gippsland and Mayor Baw Baw Shire Council, Professor Andrew O'Loughlin, Head of Gippsland Campus Federation University, Kerryn Ellis CEO South Gippsland Shire Council, Mr David Morcom CEO Wellington Shire Council.

L-R Cr Ian Bye Chair of One Gippsland and Mayor of Wellington Shire Council, Cr Tom Crook Mayor East Gippsland Shire Council, Ms Kerryn Ellis CEO South Gippsland Shire Council, Hon Melissa Horne MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Mr David Morcom CEO Wellington Shire Council, Cr Annmarie McCabe Deputy Chair One Gippsland and Mayor Baw Baw Shire Council, Ms Fiona Weigall Acting CEO East Gippsland Shire Council.

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