The Victorian Government is under pressure to sign up to a $50 million Federal Government water infrastructure rebate scheme to help drought-affected farmers in Gippsland.Farmers from New South Wales can now access the rebates after an agreement was struck between the Federal Government and the Berejiklian Government.Three Gippsland MPs Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, and his state...

The Mitchell River, the major tributary that meanders from the mountains, through the rich vegetable growing country of the Lindenow Flats, has been placed on Stage 9 water restrictions.A Southern Rural Water (SRW) spokesperson said the first of the 10 stages of restriction had been put into effect on January 12, and moved to Stage 9 on January 27.“The restrictions followed high demand and low...

East Gippsland Shire Council’ s project to upgrade part of Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale, restarted last Friday after works paused over the Christmas trading period.Work started at the Service Street intersection before progressing along Nicholson Street to the mall.Car parking in this area of Nicholson Street will be reduced, with a work site established over some centre-of-road parking...

The extreme heat that scorched East Gippsland last Friday has had a devastating affect on produce grown at The Fruitfarm in Johnsonville.Elaine and Graeme Jenkins, who own the farm, said as the temperature climbed into the 40s, fruit on their trees “literally boiled”.“It was 47.6 degrees here and what it’s done to our fruit and the trees is just monstrous,” Mrs Jenkins told the Advertiser.The...

The State Government has back-flipped on its plans to install centre-of-the-road barriers on Paynesville Road, a decision welcomed by many in the East Gippsland community, including local MP, Tim Bull, who has strongly opposed the barriers for a long period time.“My thanks to all those who signed the petition asking for more common sense in these decisions and better public consultation, rather...