East Gippsland Shire Council has put the management of public land on the agenda, calling for investment in public land management programs.

With 75% of East Gippsland classified as public land, Mayor John White said there is an urgent need for investment in public land management programs.  

“East Gippsland is renowned for its natural environment, which provides our community with essential resources for health and wellbeing, including food, fresh water, wood, fibre and fuel, but it must be looked after,” John said.

“Public land management programs would provide immediate job creation, strengthen local economies, and reduce both welfare dependency and Commonwealth expenditure on disaster response and recovery.”

Council is asking for:

• Through the National Emergency Management Agency’s funding to the states, require the State Government to commit to better resourcing of public land management, including increased locally based personnel deployment.

• Programs and funding to address new invasive weeds and pests.

• Funding for local industry development projects that support employment opportunities through land-use management and access using local knowledge, game management, pest control, and training and education to entice families to communities such as the Orbost and Cann River districts.

“Increased funding through the Disaster Ready Fund or other funding programs to allow infrastructure to be upgraded to meet changing climate and weather patterns is also vital to support our communities in a changing climate with extreme weather events becoming more intense and frequent,” John said.

This issue is on a list of election priorities Council has been pushing ahead of this Saturday’s federal election. The wish list includes priorities across a range of areas, including investments to improve roads and community safety, an audit of the Gippsland Lakes, support for economic transition, delivering cost-of-living relief to rural communities, and investment in housing, telecommunications and the arts.

Listen to the mayor's message on this topic: