Media Releases

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has joined with acting Buloke CEO, Gaynor Doreian, in welcoming the announcement of $461,000 worth of new infrastructure works for the Buloke Shire.
Mr Walsh said the funding was part of the first allocation to Victoria’s 48 rural and regional councils from the $100 million Local Government Infrastructure Program (LGIP).
The Buloke Council has allocated its funding to the following projects;
1. The replacement of kitchens at Birchip Senior Citizens and the Sea Lake Community Complex
2. The development of the Charlton Travellers Rest Information Centre
3. Airconditioning upgrades at various shared community facilities
4. Shade and playground equipment upgrades throughout the Shire
“The Coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to regional Victoria,” Mr Walsh said.
“I am extremely pleased that these infrastructure grants are enabling the Buloke Council to carry out projects that are high on their priority list and which cover the whole of the Shire.
Gaynor Doreian from Buloke Shire, was delighted with the funding announcement.
“This funding is extremely important to individual communities throughout the Shire,” she said.
“It enables a focus on facilities which are often the only places where members of the communities can come together.
“Many of these projects couldn’t be done without this funding so we are very excited about being able to take on these individual projects,” Ms Doreian said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said the Local Government Infrastructure Program gave regional and rural councils certainty to plan for and build new infrastructure or renew assets.
“The program is supporting local council initiatives including roads, bridges, and new community assets such as halls and theatres, sporting grounds, grandstands, pools, libraries, and upgrading existing facilities,” Mr Ryan said.
“Each council has been allocated a notional four-year total for priority local projects identified in forward capital works plans.”
Mr Ryan said the government had so far provided $74.7 million for 267 infrastructure projects from the Local Government Infrastructure Program’s allocation.
Mr Walsh said the Local Government Infrastructure Program was part of the Regional Growth Fund, the Government’s $1 billion commitment over eight years to drive regional development across the State and ensure regional Victoria remained a key contributor to the State’s future growth and prosperity.