Media Releases

 Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has welcomed the announcement of approximately $500,000 worth of new infrastructure works in and around St Arnaud as part of the Northern Grampians Shire’s allocation of nearly $2 million from the Victorian Government’s Local Government Infrastructure Program.
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 Northern Grampians Council has allocated its funding to the following St Arnaud projects;
1. The Children’s Precinct
2. The pool solar heating system
3. The St Arnaud Bowling Club
4. The basketball stadium
5. A major upgrade to the town’s streetscape and outdoor spaces; and
6. Upgrades and improvements to playgrounds and community access plan projects
“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 Northern Grampians Council to carry out projects that are high on their priority list.
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.

The Victorian Government is continuing to roll out funds to assist communities affected by the 2011 floods.
The Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund has recently distributed a further round of funding with Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, announcing $136,145 of grants to the Gannawarra Shire.
“The latest round of Flood Infrastructure Grants are targeting specific facilities and projects throughout the Gannawarra Shire,” Mr Walsh said today.
“The Quambatook Recreation Reserve will have $46,096 spent on two projects to reinstate facilities damaged by the flooding of the Avoca River last year.
“The Lake Meran Foreshore Reserve has also received $15,000 to reinstate the amenities and facilities that were damaged by the flood waters and the Benjeroop Hall has had $75,049 allocated to it for restoration work.
“These works are all vital to maintaining and restoring community facilities and I am pleased that the Government is able to continue to support our community organisations in this way,” Mr Walsh said
“The Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund is a $30 million program which aims to assist flood affected communities recover from the floods and allow affected infrastructure sites to be repaired,” he said.

The Victorian Government is continuing to roll out funds to assist communities affected by the 2011 floods.
The $30 million Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund has recently distributed a further round of funding with Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, announcing a $187,000 grant to the Northern Grampians Shire for works on the St Arnaud Bowling Club, King Georges Park site.
“The $187,000 grant is to enable the grass greens at the St Arnaud Bowling Club to be replaced with an artificial grass surface,” Mr Walsh said.
“The floods saw the existing rinks covered in several inches of water which had a devastating impact on them.
“This new surface will be a boon to the Club as it will dramatically reduce the maintenance required for the rinks’ upkeep while ensuring the Club is not as severely affected by any other future weather event,” Mr Walsh said.
The advent of the artificial bowling surface has been keenly taken up by bowling clubs across the region.
It allows for a major reduction in the maintenance required by the club and is far more resilient in both drought and flood events enabling clubs to continue operating without the threat of long term closure due to adverse weather events.
The Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund aims to assist flood affected communities by targeting projects such as the St Arnaud Bowling Club’s rink replacement and many other community facilities throughout the region.
“The Coonooer Bridge Hall and Reserve Committee have also received $16,521 to carry out repairs and restoration to that facility.
“The Coalition Government is extremely pleased that it is able to continue to support our community organisations in this way,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has joined with Swan Hill CEO, Denis Hovenden, in welcoming the announcement of $1,510,941 worth of new infrastructure works for the Swan Hill Rural City Council.
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 Swan Hill Council has allocated its funding to the following projects;
1. The Nyah Community Centre kitchen upgrade
2. The Pioneer Settlement redevelopment
3. The Steggall Park development
4. Robinvale township drainage works
“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 Swan Hill Council to carry out projects that are high on their priority list.
Swan Hill CEO, Denis Hovenden, was delighted with the funding announcement.
“This is an extremely welcome boost to the Council as it enables us to develop our on-going infrastructure program and assist us in our forward planning,” he 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.

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.

The Victorian Government is continuing to roll out funds to assist communities affected by the 2011 floods.
The $30 million Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund has recently distributed a further round of funding with Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, announcing $4,773,902 worth of grants to projects in the Loddon Shire.
“The latest round of infrastructure grants to the Loddon Shire is a massive injection of funds to one of the hardest hit regions in the State,” Mr Walsh said today.
“With vast areas of the Shire hit by the flood waters there are a number of large infrastructure projects that need to be addressed and this latest funding allocation is a major boost for the region.
“Along with the two major projects of the Bridgewater Caravan Park ($3,059,810) and the Newbridge Recreation Reserve ($1,467,934) there are a number of smaller projects funded which are just as important to their local communities” Mr Walsh said.
Other projects in the Loddon Shire which have received funding include the Durham Ox Mechanics Institute ($21,654), Bridgewater Picnic Reserve ($86,500), Korong Vale Golf Course ($1758), Tarnagulla Recreation Reserve ($16,120), Pyramid Hill Airstrip ($86,246) and the Pyramid Hill Recreation Reserve ($17,500).
“The Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund is a $30 million program which aims to assist flood affected communities recover from the floods and allow affected infrastructure sites to be repaired,” Mr Walsh said.
“These projects are all vital to the cohesiveness of their local communities and I am very pleased that the Coalition Government is able to continue to support our community organisations in this way,” he said.

The Victorian Government’s funding of flood infrastructure funding is continuing with a number of projects being targeted in Charlton according to local Member, Peter Walsh.
The $30 million Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund has recently distributed a further round of funding totalling $522,954 to restore several community facilities to their pre-flood usable condition.
“This latest grant will enable major repairs to be made to facilities at Charlton Park and Gordon park,” Mr Walsh said today.
“Essential repairs to the football club social rooms, fencing and seating, replacement of the netball courts and repairs to the tennis clubrooms are all being targeted.
“Repair and replacement works at the pool in Gordon Park are also being attended to with this latest round of funding,” Mr Walsh said.
“Along with $37,671 worth of works at the Donald Recreation reserve, these projects continue to benefit from the Government’s flood recovery funding program which is aimed at restoring many of the community infrastructure sites damaged during the floods.
“The Government sees these works as essential to restoring community cohesiveness and we will continue to work closely with local communities in ensuring flood recovery projects are carried out as quickly as possible,” he said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has thanked Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien, for his work on the future of the troubled Smart Meter rollout.
“The whole Smart Meter program has been another Labor disaster and the recently presented report on it means that a decision on its future can be made,” Mr Walsh said.
“There have been many conflicting and misleading reports on the program that have totally confused the community as to the merits or otherwise of these units.
“Even now there are still some extremely misleading headlines which seem to be aimed at creating more uncertainty for households,” he said.
The facts are very simple: Under Labor the cost of the Smart Meter program blew out from $800 million to $2.3 billion.
As a result of this, the Coalition Government ordered an extensive review of the program to evaluate its value.
The review found that, because of the amount of money already spent on the rollout, any further delays will only cause costs to rise further.
The expert review also found that Smart Meters are quite safe and will produce benefits to consumers by helping them save money on their power bills.
As all meters are the property of the power distribution companies they can be replaced by the company at any time. Up until now, because of the uncertainty over the Smart Meters, customers were able to request that any changeover to a Smart Meter be held off until a final decision on their future was made.
The distribution companies will now continue with the rollout and replace all meters. However, despite some claims, it is extremely unlikely that anyone will have their power cut off because of a dispute over the Smart Meters. The distribution companies will work with customers who may have concerns.
Certain changes have been introduced to ensure that consumers get the best possible value from their Smart Meters and Government oversight of the program has been improved to ensure consumers and welfare groups have a stronger voice in the rollout process.
“I am relieved that there is now certainty in this program and will monitor the benefits of the Smart Meters to ensure they flow on to households,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has welcomed the announcement of greater co-operation between the Victorian and NSW Governments on energy efficiency schemes, skills and training arrangements and economy-boosting reforms.
The agreements were announced this week by the Premiers of Victoria, Ted Baillieu and NSW, Barry O’Farrell.
“These announcements are extremely significant steps in the development of a formal Interstate Reform Partnership,” Mr Walsh said.
“One of our pre-election commitments was to address the issues of co-operation on matters of shared concern and these announcements signal the development of a joint reform agenda between Australia’s two most populous and economically important States.”
The agreements are the first outcomes of the Reform Partnership and aim to:
• promote economic growth and competitiveness,
• make it easier to do business and invest in both states, and,
• put downward pressure on the cost of living and the cost of running a business.
The reforms aim to align the energy efficiency schemes in both states which, although broadly similar, have various differences which add costs for participants operating across both states.
The move will place downward pressure on energy cost increases by reducing energy retailers’ compliance costs.
The Premiers also agreed to jointly pursue skills reforms, particularly in the area of apprenticeships, to benefit employers and apprentices and improve productivity by matching qualified apprentices with areas of unmet demand.
As a first step, the Premiers agreed to various actions to improve the take-up of competency based completions and transferability and alignment of training contracts between jurisdictions.
Noting the importance of international students to the economies of both states, the Premiers agreed to maximise opportunities to reduce red tape, including extending streamlining visa applications for high-quality, low-risk education providers like TAFE
institutes.
“This is a great step forward in interstate co-operation and I look forward to further developments in the near future,” Mr Walsh said.

North-West Victorian CFA volunteers have added a new string to their bow with the handover of a new 2011 Hino light pumper.
In handing over the keys to the new pumper Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, said the new $250,000 vehicle would increase protection for Victorian lives and property.
“The light pumper’s modern equipment will be a great benefit to the community with a 1,200 litre capacity fire fighting tanker and a stainless steel tank for 100 litres of Class B foam to combat a range of flammable materials,” Mr Walsh said.
“The appliance is also fitted with an incredibly powerful Rosenbauer N25 fire pump and hose reel so the brigade can immediately attack a fire once on scene.”
Mr Walsh said the new state-of-the-art light pumper replaced a 28-year-old 1983 Ford pumper with more effective modern fire fighting equipment and would serve alongside the brigade’s 12,000L Briggs & Stratton Collar Tank to enhance firefighting capabilities in the local community.
“The Nyah West brigade have been doing an outstanding job in the community for the past 84 years and have played a vital role in major emergencies such as the 2009 Black Saturday fires,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh said the brigade’s 16 members responded to 18 incidents during the last year, assisting CFA’s central role in combating fires in one of the most fire prone areas in the world.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan said Victoria’s emergency services had a strong backbone made up of local volunteer agencies such as Nyah West CFA.
“The State Government is a proud supporter of Victoria’s 90,000 emergency services volunteers and we are committed to providing modern facilities and equipment for volunteers to continue protecting property and saving lives throughout Victoria,” Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan said the State Government was investing $65.8 million towards 60 new or upgraded CFA stations and rolling out 101 new firefighting vehicles this financial year as part of an overall commitment to build and upgrade 250 CFA stations across Victoria by November 2014.