East Gippslanders who have lost their homes or businesses due to bushfires can now build temporary residential or commercial accommodation on their land without a planning permit, subject to safety requirements.On Wednesday, the State Government announced new statewide planning changes come into effect immediately.East Gippsland Rotary Fire Aid chair, Pearl Findlay-James, who has advocated...

After a horrific three months with around 900,000 hectares directly impacted by bushfire, East Gippsland is in recovery mode with all fires now contained.Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Lisa Neville, was in East Gippsland last week with CFA chief officer, Steve Warrington, and Victoria’s first commissioner with Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), Ken Block.With FRV officially coming into...

Promoting men’s health and raising awareness of prostate cancer was the focus of Bairnsdale’s 10th East Gippsland’s Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch, which was held at Cremin Hall on Friday.Over 300 men from all over East Gippsland attended including the Mallacoota big boys led by Paul Preston.The event this year raised over $50,000 on the day according to East Gippsland’s Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch...

The Buchan Caves Reserve will receive $2 million as part of a $10 million announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews and Emergency Services Minister, Lisa Neville, at the iconic Buchan Caves yesterday.The $10m is divided between the North East and East Gippsland, with $8.5 million released from the new Bushfire Tourism and Business Fund.Premier Andrews said the $2 million was to “repair, rebuild but...

The Victorian duck hunting season has been met with outcry.Waiting for longer than anticipated to make the announcement, just weeks from what is the typical start of the season in midMarch, the State Government has come under fire from local hunters and businesses after shortening the season to just five weeks (May 2 to June 8) and limiting bag numbers to three ducks per day.In 2019 hunters took...