Media Releases

The iconic Mallee Rally celebrates its 40 year milestone this coming June long weekend and the Victorian Government is supporting a special family-friendly event for the Sea Lake community in recognition of this achievement.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, said live entertainment, a street market and a fireworks display would accompany the traditional pre-rally safety inspection to be held on Friday 7 June.
“The Government is providing $6,000 towards funding a day of festivities that will ensure the 40th year of this iconic off-road race is one to remember,” Mr Walsh said.
“The event is highly valued by locals, competitors and spectators and I know the crowds will be out in force to help mark this significant milestone in the history of the rally.
“The celebrations will also be a tribute to all the hard-working volunteers who have contributed to the rally’s success over the last four decades,” he said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said the $8,000 project would be managed by the Sea Lake Mallee Rally event committee with support from businesses and community groups in Sea Lake.
“The Mallee Rally continues to have a lasting impact on Buloke Shire and generated an estimated $200,000 for the local economy in 2012,” he said.
“The widespread community support for the project means the same skill and experience that goes into organising the race will be evident in the celebrations beforehand.
“I hope everyone in Sea Lake will be able to join the party, reflect on the past 40 years of the Mallee Rally and get excited about the prospect of 40 years more.”
Support for the project is being provided through the Putting Locals First program, part of the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund.
“We’re providing local communities with ownership of projects that matter to them and in doing so help contribute to a better quality of life for rural Victorians,” Mr Ryan said.
For more information about the Putting Locals First program visit www.rdv.vic.gov.au/putting-locals-first

Conditions at the Nyah Recreation Reserve are about to be boosted with a major lighting upgrade receiving Victorian Government funding support.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, was on hand at the Nyah ground on Saturday to announce funding of $100,000 from the Community Facility Funding Program (CFFP) for the project.
“Sport and recreation clubs are vital to their communities,” Mr Walsh said.
“That’s why the Victorian Government is so keen to invest in sports facilities that bring benefits to the whole community and encourage people to get more involved in sporting activities.
“This project will see the installation of lighting at the football ground that will bring the facility up to Australian standards and enable night games to be held on the arena.
“This is a $215,258 project being constructed in partnership with the Swan Hill Rural City Council which has contributed $90,228 and the Nyah Nyah West United Football Netball Club and the Nyah Cricket Club who have contributed $25,000 to the overall project cost.
“It will help develop this quality community facility by improving its capacity to host bigger and better sporting events including a variety of night time activities and will play an important role in increasing participation and improving community health for years to come,” Mr Walsh said.
Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty, said better sport and recreation facilities give more people the opportunity to get involved in local clubs and their communities.
“We want all Victorians to experience the benefits of physical activity and healthy lifestyles, and we are therefore pleased to work closely with local councils and communities to help them develop quality, accessible facilities,” Mr Delahunty said.
For more information about the Community Facility Funding Program visit www.sport.vic.gov.au

Local sport and recreation groups will be able to boost skills and reach their potential through sport thanks to funding from the Victalent and Country Action Grant Scheme.
“Sport and recreation is at the heart of regional communities and many Victorians go above and beyond to support their local sports,” Mr Walsh said.
“A great example of this commitment is the distance covered by the many rural and regional teams, coaches and athletes just to compete in their local competitions.
“The Victalent grants help with travel costs removing potential barriers to training, competition and the realisation of sporting ambitions.”
Supporting local organisations to operate more effectively is another way the Victorian Government is also ensuring even more Victorians got their chance to play sport and get more active, more often.
“That’s why the Country Action Grant Scheme grants are so important,” Mr Walsh said.
“They help local sports organisations improve their administration and program delivery so they can provide even better participation opportunities for their communities.
“Together these two programs go a long way to assist sporting communities to increase their local skill base, implement best practice and promote active participation,” he said.
“Through these programs locals not only get more opportunities to come together and share their passion for sport but boost their health, improve their talent, skills and hopefully profit from the experience.”
Successful grant recipients from the Swan Hill electorate include:
$500 VicTalent Grants:
Kerang Football and Netball Club Swan Hill Croquet Club
Swan Hill Football Netball Club Wycheproof-Narraport Netball Club
Country Action Grant Scheme:
Warracknabeal Swimming Club: Webpage Setup and Design - $1800
Bears Lagoon Serpentine Netball Club: First Aid Training - $900
Loddon Pony Club: First Aid Training - $1100
Swan Hill Motorcycle Club: First Aid, Fire Marshalling & Equipment - $2208
Wandella Football Netball Club: Business Plan development - $5000

A significant upgrade of the earthen boat ramp just outside Koondrook on the Gunbower Creek will improve access for freshwater anglers chasing native fish.
Local Member and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said the North Central Catchment Management Authority will manage the works and planning for the upgrade with support from the Gannawarra Shire Council.
“Gunbower Creek boasts a great reputation for Murray Cod, thanks in part to the annual release of fingerling sized fish that supplement wild stocks,” Mr Walsh said.
“We anticipate the upgrade will be complete in time for the opening of the 2013 Murray cod fishing season on 1 December, 2013.
“Improving access is vital to the growth of recreational fishing across the State, which is why we are investing nearly $60,000 of State Government funding into this project.”
It is important that fishers are provided safe and reliable access to our waterways and the Boating Safety and Facilities Program run by the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure, along with the $16 million Recreational Fishing Initiative run by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries, have been developed to deliver these kind of projects.
In addition to improving access and boating facilities throughout Victoria, the Recreational Fishing Initiative is stocking more fish, installing fish cleaning tables, building fishing reefs and strengthening fisheries enforcement and education.
“We want to keep this state a top fishing destination for the 721,000 Victorians who fish annually,” Mr Walsh said.
To learn more visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/betterfishing or if you have a suggestion how Fisheries Victoria can improve recreational fishing email your idea to improving.fishing@dpi.vic.gov.au

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, today congratulated several local environmental groups on receiving grants from the 2013 Healthy Parks Healthy People community grant program.
The grants program focuses on areas of park management including environmental protection, access, developing recreational facilities and promoting community awareness.
“It is important that the environmental attraction of our parks isn’t lost and are maintained for everyone to enjoy,” Mr Walsh said.
“The work that our volunteer organisations do is essential to ensure this.
“The Lake Boga Landcare, Friends of Kooyoora and the Kara Kara CMN have a strong record of this so I am extremely pleased that they have all received funding to carry out these important projects.”
Four projects have been identified for funding.
Lake Boga Landcare has received $3600 to carry out works at the Tresco West Bushland Reserve which will address bridal creeper control, revegetation, access improvement and rubbish removal.
The Friends of Kooyoora will use their grant of $1200 to conduct tours of the Kooyoora State Park during the Rheola Wildflower Show highlighting the floral value of the region to visitors.
The Kara Kara CMN encompasses a number of community groups and has received funding for two projects in the St Arnaud Range National Park.
The first of these will use a grant of $1200 to improve a small picnic area in the National Park and to run two public events associated with the park.
The second grant of $3000 is to fund a study to examine the effect of macropod grazing on other species in a creekline habitat in the park.
“I congratulate these groups on securing funding for their projects,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Healthy Parks Healthy People community grants program is an example of the Government’s commitment to fostering environmental partnerships and supporting practical on-the-ground activities.
“It is well accepted that being in a natural space like a park has significant benefits for mental health and wellbeing and I encourage people to get out and get involved in their local parks,” Mr Walsh said.
For further information visit www.parks.vic.gov.au or call 13 19 63.

Funding boosts of $17,700 for Mallee Track Health and Community Service encompassing the Sea Lake campus of the Service, $35,700 for Rural Northwest Health, $63,000 for Kerang District Health, $16,100 for Inglewood and District Health Service, $63,300 for East Wimmera Health Service, $173,000 for Swan Hill District Health and $19,900 for Boort District Health have been welcomed by local MLA, Peter Walsh.
The announcement is part of Premier Denis Napthine’s funding of $120 million to replace vital medical equipment and carry out infrastructure upgrades for Victorian hospitals.
"Rural and regional hospitals are always in need of extra funding and I welcome this Budget announcement from Premier Napthine, which will allow hospitals to replace vital equipment and upgrade facilities,” Mr Walsh said.
"Regional Victorians are just as entitled to top-quality health equipment as their urban counterparts so it’s particularly pleasing that a quarter of the funding will be specifically allocated to rural and regional hospitals.”
Visiting the Alfred Hospital with Minister for Health David Davis, Dr Napthine announced the allocation of $60 million in grants for Victorian hospital upgrades as part of the Coalition Government’s Securing Our Health System 2012-13 Budget initiative with a further $60 million to be allocated to the program in the forthcoming 2013-14 State Budget.
"I would encourage hospitals in the Swan Hill electorate to continue to apply for grants through this Budget initiative," Mr Walsh said.
“This important program allows our public hospitals to stay at the forefront of new technology and enables them to replace big-ticket items with the latest and most modern equipment and infrastructure available,” Dr Napthine said.
“Modern and fit-for-purpose equipment in our hospitals provides the backbone for our doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to do what they do best – help patients.
“In 2012-13, improvements through the Securing Our Health System initiative will include the replacement of state-of-the-art medical equipment such as x-ray rooms, heart lung bypass systems and gamma cameras.
“It will also include upgrades to infrastructure such as main switchboards, hot water boilers and pipework systems, communication systems and lifts,” Mr Napthine said.
“A quarter of the funding will be invested in improvements to our regional and rural hospitals to help ensure that all Victorians can enjoy top quality health services.
Mr Davis said the funding would enable Victorian hospitals to provide efficient and effective system-wide treatment for patients, using the best in medical equipment and engineering infrastructure.
“In 2013-14, we are very proud to deliver another $60 million to this successful initiative that ensures our hospitals can continue to provide high quality care to patients,” Mr Davis said.
“This funding is vital for hospitals to provide critical items that can’t be provided from their own sources of funds.
“The initiative targets replacement of the most at-risk medical equipment and infrastructure approaching its use-by-date, that is essential for hospitals and health services to provide timely treatment to their patients,” Mr Davis said.

The Local Government Infrastructure Program (LGIP) sees two more projects in the Loddon Shire receiving Victorian Coalition Government funding.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, visited Inglewood and Wedderburn today to announce the projects
The Local Government Infrastructure Program is contributing $400,000 to the restoration of the 130 year old iconic Inglewood Town Hall.
“This nineteenth century grand lady is about to receive a major upgrade which will see it remain the centre of the communities activities for a further 100 years,” Mr Walsh said.
“The upgrade will see the restoration of this great building and will be the first stage in the more than $2 million redevelopment project which will also see the construction of a 3 tier extension encompassing training rooms, toilets, community centre facilities and business space plus an upgrade to the kitchen facilities.
“The Town Hall, with its unique chiming clock, is one of a number of magnificent gold rush era buildings in Inglewood and developing this centrepiece of the town is of immense importance for the community,” Mr Walsh said.
The second funding announcement concerned the Streetscape project in Wedderburn.
“The attractiveness and amenities in Wedderburn main street will be further enhanced with the $500,000 allocated to the town’s Streetscape project,” Mr Walsh said.
“This project will focus on the redevelopment of the township’s entries and intersections along the Calder Highway within the town including the Logan Road intersection and also the intersection with Chapel Street including Jacka Park.
“The beautification works involving tree planting, signage, footpath and walkway development and garden bed establishment will be extremely significant in developing a positive image to visitors and potential new residents and businesses to the town.
“It is also very important to the local community who have been involved in the development of the project through consultation with the Wedderburn Development Association,” he said.
“With the total cost of the project being approximately $1.5 million the community can appreciate the investment Council is making to enhance and promote Wedderburn’s potential as a residential and business location and supports other marketing initiatives being undertaken such as at the Regional Living Expo held in Melbourne last weekend.
“These projects, nominated by the Loddon Shire Council as priorities under the Local Government Infrastructure Program (LGIP), are part of a package of 87 projects statewide which have received funding totalling $15.2 million,” Mr Walsh said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Peter Ryan, said the LGIP was a $100 million component of the Regional Growth Fund which will see regional cities and communities receive $1 billion for projects to create new prosperity, more opportunities and a better quality of life for all residents of rural and regional Victoria.

The Victorian Coalition Government will provide more than $198,000 towards the development of the first industrial estate in Inglewood.
Announcing the funding in Inglewood today, Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, said funding would be matched by Loddon Shire Council to enable the $397,000 project to proceed immediately.
“Inglewood is a small town with huge potential for future growth, but until now there has been no industrial land available for development,” Mr Walsh said.
“The two hectare site will be ideal for light industry being made up of five lots of 4000 square metres.
“Businesses will have the opportunity to relocate, expand or establish themselves in Inglewood bringing jobs and investment to the district.
“Being so close to the City of Greater Bendigo is an added incentive to businesses looking to develop,” Mr Walsh said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said the industrial estate was a key initiative in the Loddon Shire Economic Development Strategy and community groups such as the Inglewood Tourism and Development Committee, Inglewood Community Resource Centre and the local Lions Club had been included in the consultation process.
“A civil engineering company has independently assessed the project and provided a site design. Once the lots have been sold, Council will maintain the roadway point and crossovers,” Mr Ryan said.
“Council is already working to identify potential tenants and the project is expected to be completed by mid-2014,” he said.
The project will be funded through the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund’s Putting Locals First program.

A number of sporting clubs in the region have received uniform grants from the latest round of funding from the Sporting Uniform Grants Program.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, announced the funding today following notification from the office of the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty.
“These grants are vital to allowing these organisations to not only promote their club or sporting organisation but, in a number of cases, to actually compete on the playing field,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Sporting Uniform Grants Program has proved to be very popular as they go a long way towards boosting team morale, connecting communities and can play an integral role in motivating more people to get more active more often.
“By providing funding to purchase uniforms we are also encouraging increased participation by members of the community which gives more people, regardless of their skill level or background, the opportunity join in and have fun,” Mr Walsh said.
Local clubs to receive grants include –
Birchip Bowling Club - $1000      Kerang Clay Target Club - $900
Charlton Bowling Club - $1000      Kerang Football and Netball Club - $1000
Kerang Swimming Club - $1000      Kerang Junior Hockey Association - $952
Kerang Netball Club - $1000      Koondrook Lawn Tennis Club - $1000
Boort Golf Club - $1000      Calivil United Football and Netball Club $1000
Nyah District Bowling Club - $900      Bears Lagoon Serpentine Netball Club - $400
Swan Hill Bowls Club - $1000      Central Murray Football Netball League - $1000
Swan Hill Pony Club - $1000      Minyip Lawn Bowls Club - $924
Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty said “Team uniforms are more than just colours; they represent local sporting traditions and community pride.”
“That is why we are proud to deliver the Sporting Uniform Grants Program,” he said.
For more information about the Sporting Uniform Grants Program visit www.sport.vic.gov.au

Councils and community groups are being urged to become actively involved in local crime prevention programs by applying for the State Government’s extremely popular Community Safety Fund (CSF) grants.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, today announced that grants up to $10,000 are available to target projects that address crime prevention within a local community.
“Local communities are best placed to identify their own local crime problems and to work out the best way to address those problems,” Mr Walsh said.
The Community Safety Fund supports practical and locally relevant crime prevention solutions which help prevent crime, assist people to feel safer, increase knowledge about local crime issues or address local crime prevention.
“Projects that have received funding in the past include security lighting systems along Donald’s Byrne Street, fencing at Swan Hill North School, security windows, doors and locks at Serpentine and Nyah Recreation Reserves and the development of a Community Safety Plan in Gannawarra.
“These initiatives are all projects that have been identified by communities wanting to make venues safer for local residents and they play a major role in helping reduce crime and increase community safety and community confidence,” Mr Walsh said.
The Victorian Coalition Government has allocated $35 million to its Community Crime Prevention Program to make communities safer, which includes these grants up to $10,000.
“I encourage local community groups to think innovatively about projects that will make a difference to the safety and security of their communities,” he said.
Program information, grant application guidelines and links to the application forms can be found at www.crimeprevention.vic.gov.au/safetygrants