First RRP funding of $7m going to five projects in East Gippsland

The hard-hit region of East Gippsland in Victoria is set to receive $7 million in funding from the Commonwealth’s Regional Recovery Partnership (RRP) project.

The five projects selected for funding include:

  • Krautungalung walk, Lakes Entrance ($2.2 million);
  • East Gippsland Rail Trail ($2 million);
  • Forest Park, Orbost ($1.3 million);
  • Slip Road, Paynesville ($1 million); and
  • Koala Discovery and Rehabilitation, Paynesville and Raymond Island $500,000.

Announcing the successful projects this week, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Federal Government recognised East Gippsland has been one of the regions hardest hit by the combined impacts of drought, bushfires and the coronavirus.

“The RRP program reflects the Government’s commitment to working in partnership with other levels of government to deliver targeted initiatives supporting jobs, economic recovery and economic diversification,” he said.

The successful projects all have funding commitments from the state or local government and the capacity to be delivered over the next 12 months.

East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Mendy Urie said the Federal Government funding would accelerate development on projects the Council had already identified as high priorities.

“We welcome the funding announcement because it allows Council to bring forward projects we had already part-funded by us or secured grants from other sources,” Cr Urie said.

The Federal Government has committed $100 million over two years to fund Regional Recovery Partnerships in 10 regions whose economies have been impacted by Covid-19, including: 

  • The Snowy Mountains; Hunter and Newcastle; and Parkes Regions (NSW);
  • Cairns and Tropical North Queensland; Gladstone; and Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Regions (Qld);
  • all of Tasmania;
  • Gippsland Region (Vic);  
  • Kangaroo Island (SA); and
  • The South West Region of WA.