A dry autumn and a dry spring were precursors to Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday.

I'll repeat that: a dry autumn and a dry spring were precursors to Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday and the massive losses that this nation suffered through those tragedies. We have now had a dry autumn and are expecting a dry spring.

My CFAs across Victoria and the fire services across Australia are preparing themselves to protect the people of Australia against the scourge of bushfires.

It's my understanding as a former firey myself that this could be a very, very difficult summer for us. My farmers have expected rain in south and west Gippsland. In parts we have and in parts we haven't.

I'd just like to get in front of the story to give out a shout-out to those fire services, those fire men and women who will be protecting us this summer against a most difficult enemy, that enemy being nature itself.

So, to every one of you who is preparing for us, from the Western District all the way to the border in Victoria and right across the eastern states, here's the best to you for this fire season.

 

 

Member for McMillan, Russell Broadbent has encouraged local sporting groups across McMillan to apply for funding from a national $29.7 million program aimed at upgrading community sport infrastructure.

The Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program has been launched, enabling sport and community organisations to apply for grants up to $500,000 to upgrade sporting infrastructure in 2018-19.

Mr Broadbent urged local sporting groups to consider projects that would help build participation in physical activity, community partnerships and inclusiveness.

“Sporting facilities are vital for inspiring physical activity and health, but also for building community spirit and pride.

“I encourage sport and community groups to collaborate and think about projects that could enhance our facilities across the region. Even the smallest of facility projects can have a big impact on boosting local business, economy, health and social cohesiveness.

“Improving lighting, playing surfaces and accessibility for different ages and genders are just some of the ways sporting facilities can be made safer and more appealing,' Mr Broadbent said.

The program will be managed by Sport Australia, the Australian Government’s leading agency for sport and physical activity.

Applications will remain open until September 28 and more information on the Community Sport Infrastructure grant program can be found at https://www.sportaus.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/677879/CSI_Grant_Program_guidelines.pdf

Member for McMillan, Russell Broadbent has encouraged local community organisations to apply for a share of up to $20 million in funding to help get seniors online.

Mr Broadbent said that the Turnbull Government was providing grants of up to $50,000 to local organisations to deliver free digital skills training to people over 50 as part of the Be Connected Program.

“By joining the Be Connected Network, organisations help seniors across McMillan to maintain their independence and keep connected with family and friends.

“Participants in the program get free, personalised face-to-face coaching and access to interactive tutorials and resources.

“Local organisations including Gippsland Employment Skills and Training, Leongatha Community House, Manna Gum Community House, Outlook Community Centre, Warragul Business Group, and Warragul Community House are already delivering the program locally, but more are needed.

“I encourage organisations in McMillan to join the network of local partners and offer digital skills and social support to seniors in our community.

More than 1,500 organisations have already joined the Be Connected Network across Australia, including libraries, community centres, clubs and aged care facilities.

To find out more information about Be Connected or to join the network, go to www.beconnected.esafety.gov.au or call 1300 795 897.

The safety of 46 Victorian road ‘black spots’ will be substantially improved over the next 12 months.

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Hinkler, Keith Pitt, and Member for McMillan, Russell Broadbent, today announced $14.7 million for Victoria under the Black Spot Program’s 2018-19 funding round.

They were joined by the RACV’s Mobility Advocacy Manager and Member of the Victorian Black Spot Consultative Panel, Dave Jones, at the site of a black spot in Bunyip, where more than $850,000 has been allocated to install a new guard rail.

Mr Pitt said the Black Spot Program demonstrated the Coalition Government’s commitment to building safer roads across the nation.

“The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) has found that, on average, Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Black Spot Program provides much needed funding for safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at dangerous locations.

“The Coalition Government is committed to getting people home safer and quicker and 46 new black spot projects being funded across Victoria are an important contribution towards reducing the national road toll.”

Mr Broadbent said this investment in black spot projects would deliver safer roads in 26 local government areas throughout Victoria.

“Locally this funding is making roads safer in Cardinia, Bass Coast and Baw Baw Shires with the projects including Main South Road at Drouin, Main Drain Road at Bunyip and works on Phillip Island.

“The works at Main Drain Road will see the installation of a safety barrier between Evans Road through to Little Road while works on Main South Road will include the sealing of the shoulders, installation of a skid resistance overlay as well as line marking,” Mr Broadbent said.

“Across all blackspots identified, a total of 241 casualty crashes were recorded at these sites over the past five years, including 11 accidents involving fatalities.

“The panel that reviews priorities for the program includes representatives from the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), the Victorian Transport Association, Victoria Police, the Municipal Association of Victoria and VicRoads.”

Dave Jones from the RACV said local communities should get involved in the Black Spot Program.

“We encourage local communities to consider nominating sites with significant safety issues for future funding,” Mr Jones said.

“Many of these sites are in regional and rural areas, where further work needs to be done to improve the safety of roads.

“As our population grows, it’s essential that spending on safety measures and road maintenance keeps pace with higher traffic volumes.”

The Coalition Government has committed $744.5 million to the Black Spot Program from 2013-14 to 2021-22 to improve road safety across the nation.

For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots/.

Communities across Australia are set to share in $22.5 million to improve local infrastructure and provide essential community equipment with applications now open for Round 4 of the Stronger Communities Programme.

Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent said the program is aimed at funding projects that deliver social benefits and form part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to strengthen communities across Australia.

“Our local communities are the heart of this great country and the investment in local projects under the Stronger Communities Programme is about invigorating these communities and ensuring their continued success.

“The program will fund small capital projects, which can range from upgrading the local community hall or sporting facility, building new bike paths, or providing essential equipment for the local SES.

“These are the sorts of vital projects that bring our communities together, strengthen our social connections, build community participation and create vibrant and sustainable communities into the future.

Russell Broadbent said that the region had been very successful under previous rounds of the Stronger Communities Programme, seeing organisations such as Bass Coast Landcare, the Leongatha Lyric Theatre, Newborough Football Netball Club, the Wonthaggi Pony Club and the Warragul Scout Group all deliver successful projects.

“Grants will be available between $2,500 and $20,000 for successful applications and I now invite organisations within the community to put forward their attractive, high-quality, projects for assessment,” Mr Broadbent said.

Grant guidelines, eligibility requirements and the application process can be found at www.business.gov.au/scp

Russell Broadbent MP
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