Crisis in supported accommodation
Posted on February 20, 2010, 11:11am · Leave a Comment
Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe last night called upon the State Government to act with urgency to implement recommendations provided in an inquiry into Supported Accommodation for Victorians with a Disability and/or Mental Illness.
Instigated by the Liberal Nationals Coalition and headed by the State Parliament’s Family and Community Development Committee, the inquiry has revealed a supported accommodation crisis across Victoria and especially Gippsland. Read more
Traralgon activity plan under way
Posted on February 20, 2010, 11:11am · Leave a Comment
A project that establishes a master plan and urban design framework for the Traralgon Town Centre has started, with the appointment of Hansen Partnership to undertake the project.
The Traralgon Activity Centre Plan Project is a partnership between Latrobe City and the State Government and will address traffic management, car parking, commercial/retail opportunities, medium density housing, public transport improvements, community infrastructure, open space, heritage conservation and connectivity.
Latrobe City mayor, Cr Kellie O’Callaghan, said the project will give existing businesses, future investors and the community more certainty about the future direction of the growth of the town and cement Traralgon as a significant place to invest and live in the Latrobe Valley and regional Victoria.
“The Traralgon Activity Centre Plan Project will build on previous studies to ensure sustainable development of the Traralgon Town Centre over the next 20 years. It will accommodate forecast population growth and associated service demand, Cr O’Callaghan explained.
Cr O’Callaghan said the community will have the opportunity to attend consultation sessions over the coming months.
“The sessions will be advertised when dates, locations and times have been confirmed, so that everyone can provide input into the planning process, Cr O’Callaghan explained.
Hansen Partnership is one of Australia’s multidisciplinary planning and design consultancies serving both the private and public sectors in Victoria, NSW and internationally.
Further information on the Traralgon Activity Centre Plan Project is available from Gail Gatt at Latrobe City Council, telephone 1300 367 700, or visit the web page.
Welcome packs welcomed
Posted on February 20, 2010, 11:11am · Leave a Comment
Township welcome packs containing information on facilities, services, heritage and the local environment have been developed by local community groups to hand out to new residents in the seven small townships in Latrobe City, as part of a State Government funded program known as the Community Building Initiative.
Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Kellie O’Callaghan said that the production of township welcome packs was just one example of the benefits of like-minded community groups working together. Read more
New mayor elected
Posted on December 13, 2009, 4:04pm · 1 Comment
Cr Kellie O’Callaghan was elected Latrobe City’s new mayor at a special council meeting held on Monday night. Cr Sandy Kam was elected deputy mayor.
Cr O’Callaghan served as deputy mayor from December 2008 to December 2009. Cr O’Callaghan was elected to the Fifth Latrobe City Council in the 2008 local government election. Read more
Water warning for bushfire season
Posted on December 13, 2009, 3:03pm · Leave a Comment
Gippsland Water managing director David Mawer pointed to a number of factors that make reticulated water an unreliable water source during a bushfire.
“We have 17 water supply systems, all of which are designed to cope with peak seasonal demands and can continue to supply treated water in the event of short-term power outages,” Mr Mawer said. Read more
Traralgon Creek catchment tour
Posted on November 26, 2009, 4:04pm · Leave a Comment
The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) and Waterwatch joined forces with the Traralgon Creek Neighbourhood Environment Improvement Program (NEIP) to conduct a tour of the Traralgon Creek catchment.
The aim of the day was to highlight the importance of water quality monitoring on the system with the launch of the TRACKFIRE Community Monitoring Project. Read more
CPRS amendments inadequate
Posted on November 24, 2009, 4:04pm · Leave a Comment
Victorian generator Loy Yang Power says the proposed amendments to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme do not adequately compensate the generator sector for the losses that will be incurred due to the introduction of the legislation.
“Compensation for the generation sector has been increased, however the assistance package remains significantly less than the financial impact on the industry, and does not address the long term need for the hundreds of millions of dollars of additional working capital that will be required to operate in this new carbon market,” said Loy Yang Power chief executive Ian Nethercote. Read more
High deferral rate recorded
Posted on November 7, 2009, 6:06pm · Leave a Comment
Gippsland students are more likely to defer university than their metropolitan counterparts, a new study has found.
Eastern Region MP Peter Hall said the ‘Deferring a University Offer in Regional Victoria’ report found that two-and-a-half more regional Victorian school completers deferred a place at university compared to metropolitan school graduates.
“The main reason for the higher deferral rate amongst regional Victorians is due to financial barriers,” Mr Hall said.
The study, commissioned by non-metropolitan Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs), including those in Gippsland, and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, surveyed more than 900 school leavers.
“This report found that approximately four in 10 of the regional students who deferred said they did so because they could not support themselves and that the costs of study were a barrier,” Mr Hall said.
“The need to qualify for the Youth Allowance was one of the financial barriers cited.”
Mr Hall expects the high deferral rate amongst regional students will only get worse due to the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Youth Allowance which will require students to earn more to qualify for the payments.
“Here is another report clearly indicating that regional students need more financial support from the Federal Government, not less, and these proposed changes to the Youth Allowance will only make the situation worse.”
Mr Hall said the report backed Department of Education and Early Childhood Development tracking data which showed the rate of deferral amongst regional young people had grown even more rapidly than their city counterparts.
“In regional Victoria the rate of deferrals rose from 9.9 per cent in 2004 to 15.9 per cent in 2007,” Mr Hall said. “This is compared to a rise from 5.5 per cent to 6.4 per cent in metropolitan areas. This data shows country students deferring at three times the rate of their city counterparts.
“It is well documented that students from rural and remote areas who move away from home to attend university need additional support because they face higher costs overall than their city counterparts.”
Mr Hall said evidence was mounting against the Federal Government’s proposed Youth Allowance changes and it was time the Government stood up and listened.
“Economic conditions are already making it harder for young people to find jobs. High school graduates need to be encouraged to continue straight on to higher education to gain extra qualifications not discouraged due to further financial burdens.”
The University Deferment Report can be found at www.bawbawlatrobellen.com.au.
Early learning centre moves ahead
Posted on November 7, 2009, 6:06pm · Leave a Comment
Contracts have been signed on the new Traralgon Early Learning Centre in Mapleson Drive in anticipation that the new occasional care and preschool centre will be ready to accept children by January 2010.
Latrobe City chief executive officer, Mr Paul Buckley, said that the signing ended three years of planning and community consultation for new premises to replace the current Franklin Street facility. Read more
Smart water grants available
Posted on November 7, 2009, 5:05pm · Leave a Comment
Gippsland Water is encouraging its customers and stakeholders to apply for a Smart Water Fund grant to develop innovative water conservation, water recycling or biosolids management initiatives.
“With increasing pressure on water supplies, there is an ongoing need to find innovative ways to be smarter with our water use,” Gippsland Water managing director David Mawer said. Read more
