b'14 NOVEMBER 4, 2022 The Great Eastern MailDan, where are you?T just weeks away anddelivered by Christmas 2020 We, as taxpayers under Specialising inHERE is a State electionConran cabins promised to befuinding? we are lucky enoughis in place two years later;this Government, have to live in a state and countrythe East Cape boardwalk, aracked up over $25billion all aspectswhere a democratic vote willpopular tourist attraction alsoin metropolitan project determine the next Victorianpromised for completion bycost blowouts, while our Government. 2020 is still not open; andstate-wide country roads From a local perspective,the bridge to iconic Pointmaintenance funding is like almost all other areasHicks and the Thurra Riverreducedhow is that fair?of Real Estate of country Victoria, we havecampground, so important This is not governing not been treated well by thisto the Cann River economy,for all Victorians like Mr Andrews Labor Government. wont be rebuilt until 2024 weAndrews said he wouldSpace prevents me fromare toldover four years toand he has been silent on giving every example, therebuild a bridge! matching the Coalitions are a few glaring ones whereIf it was on the banks of themassive $10b over 10 years to we have not received theYarra River it would have beenfix our roads.respect and courtesy wefinished within weeks.We also have a reported Commercial|Rural|Residential deserve. But why hasnt Andrews13% of all State infrastructure Firstly, as I pen this columnbeen back? Surely walkingfunding being spent in the with three and a half weekswith us every step of the wayregions, when the regions ljhooker.com.au until polling opens, anmeans revisiting and showinghold 25% of the populationexample of the disdain thissome care and interest. Yes,again, how is that fair?Government holds regionalwe have had Covid, but there The fact is, all areas of areas, is indicated by the facthas been plenty of times sincecountry Victoria are being they have not had nominatedwe opened up when he couldignored and that is why we candidates in many countryhave made the effort. have no candidates until the seats. Thirdly, the timber industryeleventh hour.Gippsland East, Benambra,is one of the backbones of our Labors signature policy Lowan, Mildura, Murraylocal economy and Andrewsis to build a train line from Plains, Narracan, Ovens Valleyplan is to close it down withBox Hill to Cheltenham at a and Shepparton, which coverno replacement industry. cost of $32billion, but with nearly two thirds of our statesCurrently our timberthis record of cost overruns, geographic area are withoutindustry has access to justgoodness knows what that even a Labor candidate. 5% of the states bushlandwill be. Some independent My strong view on why,and harvests only 0.04% asources are already saying it is that if you dont have ayearthats four in everywill cost over $100b.candidate in the field you10,000 trees per year. Besides The Liberals and Nationals avoid having to make anystating that, I wont get intoon the other hand have vowed 4 2 3 6 3 4 pre-election commitmentsthe argument in detail andto scrap this and put the to these areas. It is Danielacknowledge there are othermoney into fixing the broken Bairnsdale Lucknow Andrews treating countryviews. health system, including 7 Ashwood Court 27-28 Callistemon Court Victoria with a complete lackBut here is the point. Evena $230million upgrade to Lifestyle, Entertainer of respect. if you hold a different view onBairnsdale Hospital.Quality built 4 bedroom home, 3 living areas, 2 bathrooms,2 homes on 2 titles and immaculately presented If they were serious aboutthe timber industry, how can Mr Andrews says he can do spacious undercover entertaining area complete with spaHere is a rare opportunity to purchase a unique propertycountry areas they would havethe government shut it downboth, build the rail line and fix offering two brick veneer homes on two titles! Set on a and pool. Large double garage plus 3 bay shed situatedtotal land size of 1352m2 the primary home offers 4 BRs, 2had candidates months agowith all those jobs gone andthe health system (although on a 1228sqm allotment footsteps from a park/playground,bathrooms and 2 living areas and the second residence hasvisiting and talking to localsno replacement industry? he is silent on Bairnsdale with walking distance to schools, sporting facilities and2 BRs and a large bathroom. Solar heated inground pool,and making or matching pre- We cannot say eco-tourismno candidate locally).Bairnsdale Aquatic & Recreation Centre, and only a shortdouble carport, double garage and an extra single garage.election commitments. will replace it. The timber Perhaps he has forgotten distance to Main Street shops.Secondly, the bushfireindustry operates in onlythe burgeoning $172billion For SaleNEW PRICE$765,000 For Sale $825,000 recovery. Post fires the5% of bush now, so why isntstate debt he needs to rein Contact Steve HolmesContact Kelly Quirke Premier spoke at a mediaecotourism flourishing in theina debt that is already Bairnsdale 03 5152 4172 Bairnsdale 03 5152 4172 conference in Bairnsdaleremaining 95% now? It willhigher than New South Wales, 195 Main Street, Bairnsdale VIC 3875 195 Main Street, Bairnsdale VIC 3875 and in front of national, statenot provide the replacementQueensland and Tasmania and local media and said thisjobs. combined. We do not have a government would walk withLastly, lets look at ourbottomless pit of money as he East Gippslanders every stepcountry roads. seems to think we have.of the way in its recovery. Labors own budget papers Our grandchildren and He moved a similarlyshow roads maintenancegreat grandchildren will be worded motion in Parliamentfunding has been continuallypaying this debt off. On these in 2020 to stand withcut, contributing to our ruralpoints alone it is time for communities who wereroads network failing. Whenchange.affected by the bushfires asyou cut funding where there Many community groups, they rebuild and recover. is more vehicles on the roadsbusinesses and individuals Why then are weit will only end one way. have worked hard in their approaching three years since Wet weather has played aefforts for our region to the fires and the Premierpart in the condition of ourrecover, we deserve more has not been back to our fireroads, but there are two pintsinterest from this government, impacted communities? Andhere. The first is the roadsas do all other areas of rural why are we still waiting towere falling apart before theVictoria. 3 1 1 3 2 7 have important infrastructuredrought broke; and if it is wet rebuilt after nearly three years. and more damage is beingWritten and authorised by East Bairnsdale Bumberrah Not one of the Capecaused, wouldnt you increaseTim Bull, National Party51 McEacharn Street 16 Sunnybanks CourtThis home will be of interest to first home owners, downSet in a quiet position on approx. 6.5 acres, this propertyTHE GREAT EASTERNlFinish it and make it yours Your Own Rural Dream maisizers and investors. A neat and tidy older style home on aoffers something for the whole family! High cathedral good sized block with a single car garage. Features largeceilings, timber floorboards, wood heating, reverse cycle lounge leading into open dining/kitchen area. Bathroomsplit system, 20 solar panels, NBN connection, modern & has been refreshed and the garden boasts a built in BBQ,stylish kitchen, master suite with WIR and ensuite, 2 other established trees, raised vegie patch with room for more.bedrooms plus a study. This one is not to be missed!BAIRNSDALEPAYNESVILLELAKES ENTRANCEMETUNGFor Sale $399,000 - $419,000 For Sale $780,000 Where Community MattersContact Veronica DaviesContact Kelly QuirkeBairnsdale 03 5152 4172 Bairnsdale 03 5152 4172 GOT PRODUCTS OR SERVICES 195 Main Street, Bairnsdale VIC 3875 195 Main Street, Bairnsdale VIC 3875 WHICH NEED SELLING?ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESSSteve Holmes Kelly Quirke Dennis Hall Kylie Smith Veronica Davies Gaye Holmes Glenda Robertson Jennifer Jessup Contact Jason today on 0428 366 651LJ Hooker Bairnsdale Contact bairnsdale@ljhookerbairnsdale.com.au or email jason.cherry.gem@gmail.com195 Main St, Bairnsdale VIC 3875 (03) 5152 4172 bairnsdale.ljhooker.com.au'