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News from Craig Ingram MP - Member for Gippsland East Island Survey Click here
Press releases affecting our area will be uploaded here I Craig Ingram MP
G I P P S L A N D E A S T
media release Election result highlights importance of independents Victorian independent MP, Craig Ingram, says Saturday’s Federal Election result highlights the importance of regional independent MPs in the democratic process. Mr Ingram found himself in the same position as his Federal independent colleagues when he was first elected to state politics in 1999. “Because of my experiences in 1999, I am well aware of some of the risks and pitfalls of the decision these independents may have to make,” Mr Ingram said. “A recent headline in the metropolitan press this week stated that I was advising the independents to side with the Labor party. “This headline misrepresented my comments and the article was actually based around my view that the National Party’s behaviour was a risk to the stability of government. “Comments made this week by the Nationals’ Barnaby Joyce and Warren Truss highlight the reluctance of the National Party to work with independents and may well influence the independents’ decision on which party can form a stable minority government. “I would never purport to be in a position to advise the Federal independents on which party they should support, unlike some political party MPs who are jumping on the bandwagon and professing to have ‘an independent streak’. “This is a difficult, potentially divisive decision that they will make on their own and believe that it will be made in the best interest of their respective conservative rural electorates and in the national interest,” Mr Ingram concluded.
Thursday, 5 August 2010
VCAT ruling a disaster for coastal communities: Ingram
Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has again called for the State Government to urgently amend its planning policies in relation to sea level rise and coastal inundation after a ruling by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, overturning a development on vacant land in the coastal town of Lakes Entrance. “This VCAT ruling will have major detrimental impacts on coastal planning, investment and development confidence right across the eastern seaboard,” Mr Ingram said. “This decision effectively rules out almost any developments in existing commercial and residential areas that may be subject to sea level rises within the next 90 years, even if the buildings are above the flood level. “I have previously put the State Government on notice that it must change its policies on climate change and sea levels to better reflect the actual long-term risk and the projected lifespan of buildings to allow reasonable development and planning around the year 2100 projections.” Mr Ingram said despite his advice, the State Government has not acted swiftly enough on the matter, and that the VCAT ruling – which has been based on current government policy -- will effectively destroy investment confidence and property rights in coastal communities. “It is my strong view that alternative arrangements and policies must be swiftly made to recognise the need for continued sensible development, property rights and real and actual existing risks -- not risks projected for periods outside the lifespan of proposed buildings,” Mr Ingram said. “The financial impact on my communities and constituents of this decision is enormous and in my view requires real and significant action from government to assist coastal communities. “I will continue to meet with local property owners and developers and coastal councils to find solutions to this issue, but one thing is certain and that is the existing rules and situation must change,” Mr Ingram said.
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Premier has got it wrong on VCAT ruling: Ingram
Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, says Victorian Premier John Brumby has got it wrong following Mr Brumby’s response on the issue of sea level rise stifling development in Victorian coastal towns. Mr Ingram’s comments follow a recent ruling by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, overturning a development on vacant land in Lakes Entrance. “The Premier has stated that this was a stand-alone ruling based around flooding issues rather than climate change. “Clearly the Premier has been incorrectly advised on this decision made by the VCAT. “The basis of the decision and ruling is almost entirely on the 2100 projections and impacts of sea levels and coastal vulnerability. “This ruling is a direct result of the State Government’s own climate change policy and its direction to Catchment Management Authorities to apply the 0.8 metre sea level projections to planning overlays. “For over 12 months I have been raising this matter with the State Government, warning that they must develop an implementation strategy and clear guidelines before the 0.8 level was applied. “The current policy is wrong and needs changing to better reflect the actual risks, land values and investment which is being held-up in coastal communities,” Mr Ingram concluded.
Sunday, 1 August 2010 Ingram welcomes release of Royal Commission report The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has welcomed release of the final report of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, adding that he fully supports the majority of recommendations contained in the report, such as increased prescribed burning and improvements to land management. Mr Ingram, whose electorate of Gippsland East is one of the most bushfire-prone in the state, says he will beseeking input from local communities and relevant agencies on the impact of a number of the recommendations, particularly those dealing with the changes to the stay-or-go policy and evacuation. “The State Government must react and fully back the Royal Commission on its prescribed burning recommendations, which have enforced my long-held view that a substantial increase and change in culture is needed,” Mr Ingram said. “On this matter, the Royal Commission has effectively come to the same conclusion and recommendation asthe Victorian Parliament’s Environmental and Natural Resources Committee report from last year, of which I was Deputy Chair. “I also welcome the fact that many of the positions that were contained in my submission to the Royal Commission on behalf of my communities have been adopted. “For a number of decades, successive governments have failed in delivering both the resources, targets and outcomes on fire and land management. “I trust that now the repeated recommendations on land management will be adopted. “I believe that some of the recommendations contained in the report will be a challenge to implement, such as some problems we have already seen with impact to camping and tourism in Alpine areas caused by the declaration of Code Red days. “The changes to the stay or go policy must work for all communities, not just those in the urban tree change areas. “I will be making further comments on other aspects of the report after further detailed consideration of the report,” Mr Ingram concluded.
Friday, 23 July 2010
Friday, 16 July 2010 Ingram initiates petition against marine parks grab The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, is calling for Victoria’s 750,000 recreational anglers and commercial fishing communities to rally behind a petition he has initiated, calling for the major political parties to make a policy commitment against theestablishment or expansion of Marine Parks in Victorian waterways. Mr Ingram is leading a state-wide campaign against a proposal by the Victorian NationalParks Association to create a further 22 Marine Parks in Victorian waterways, which wouldmake recreational and commercial fishing illegal in these zones. “While Premier John Brumby has stated his party has no plans to change any of the existingmarine parks at this point, but if Labor and Liberal are both serious about this, then it needsto be a clear and unequivocal statement and be included in the parties’ election policies,” MrIngram said. “With assistance from VRFish and the Australian Fishing and Tackle Association, we havesent the petition to bait and tackle shops throughout Victoria. “The petition is also downloadable via my website, as well as a window poster promoting thecampaign and a fact sheet. “Despite some verbal commitments against the establishment or expansion of marine parks,the issue remains strong until it becomes policy of both the Labor and Liberal parties anduntil they rule out striking a deal with the Greens on this issue. “I encourage all recreational and commercial anglers to sign the petition, which I will presentto Parliament in September,” Mr Ingram concluded.
Friday, 26
March 2010
Nats’ hollow promise on alpine cattle grazing revealed: Ingram The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has called on the coalition to fully explain its now hollow pledge to return alpine grazing to the High Country. “The coalition has today publicly stated it will not legislate to return alpine grazing, but will use questionable provisions under the fire code of practice that allows the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to utilise grazing as a tool ‘only for significantly modified habitats’,” Mr Ingram said. “This hardly describes the areas that mountain cattlemen are seeking a return to in the Alpine National Park. “On my interpretation of the National Parks Act, it would be almost impossible to return grazing without changes to the legislation, and those who supported the coalition’s stance must be very disappointed with the reality. Mr Ingram said the detail revealed in today's Weekly Times is a stark contrast to the unequivocal commitment that Nationals’ leader Peter Ryan gave to the recent Mountain Cattlemen’s get-together. “This is just another example of the National Party saying what they think groups want to hear even if it is not coalition policy. “Cattle grazing was removed from the Alpine National Parks through legislation and it will take legislation to return the grazing. “If the coalition does not have the stomach to bring legislation before the Parliament, they should not be giving the cattlemen false hope. “The real reason that the Nationals and a select few Liberals are avoiding a commitment to legislate and debate in Parliament is that they know they do not have the numbers within the coalition to get the policy through the party room.” Mr Ingram said the National Party has also declared they will sack public servants who don’t give the right advice on returning cattle to the High Country. “The Nationals’ Peter Walsh has indicated that under a coalition government it will be up to the department to decide when and where grazing will be returned and if the government does not like the advice they receive then the public servants will be sacked,” Mr Ingram said. “It is clear that the National Party does not understand the role of the public service. “While MPs, opposition and governments often do not like or agree with the advice they receive from the public service, public servants must be free to give impartial advice and briefings on all matters. “The politicising of the public services by both Labor and the coalition over past decades is a major concern, but this latest display by the coalition is a new low and is totally unacceptable and it should be condemned,” Mr Ingram concluded.
Friday, 26Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Ingram launches Princes Highway driver safety survey
The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, is surveying local drivers for their input in identifying sections of the Princes Highway that require urgent upgrading.
Mr Ingram launched the survey last week, calling for professional drivers and local motorists to name sections of the Princes Highway and other major roads that they believe are most dangerous.
“For a number of years I have been attempting to obtain a greater level of funding, improved safety and commitment for substantial upgrade to the Princes Highway east of Bairnsdale,” Mr Ingram said.
“As part of these ongoing efforts, I am formally seeking the input of regular drivers, by way of survey, to assist me in identifying problem areas that should be given priority funding by VicRoads and the Victorian Government.
“While I travel considerable kilometres myself each year on these routes, I believe that other regular users of the Princes Highway and other major roads will also have detailed knowledge of the sections that most require improvement, are in need of major upgrades or just require more regular maintenance.”
Mr Ingram has written to many Gippsland heavy vehicle transport operators seeking their input, and today invited other Gippsland drivers to participate via the survey link on his website.
“The highest road funding priority in Gippsland should be the Princes Highway between Bairnsdale and the New South Wales border,” Mr Ingram said. “Addressing the winding, narrow sections; straightening, widening and addressing alignments and intersections; and increasing lack of road shoulders on the Princes Highway east of Bairnsdale will have much greater road safety and transport outcomes than completion of duplicating the highway between Sale and Traralgon. “The estimated $200 million required to duplicate the next stage of the Sale/Traralgon Princes Highway duplication would be much better spent fixing the eastern section of the highway. “The road safety and transport benefits for fixing the dangerous, narrow, windy sections of this highway far outweigh the slight improvement in travel time and separation that will be gained on the Sale section,” Mr Ingram concluded. For those wishing to take part in the online survey, Mr Ingram’s website address is www.craigingram.com
Priorities wrong on future road funding: Ingram
The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has called on the State Government to redirect its road funding policies in Gippsland. Speaking in State Parliament this week, Mr Ingram called on the State Government to make the eastern section of the Princes Highway a road funding priority. “The highest road funding priority in Gippsland should be the Princes Highway between Bairnsdale and the New South Wales border,” Mr Ingram said. “Addressing the winding, narrow sections; straightening, widening and addressing alignments and intersections; and increasing lack of road shoulders on the Princes Highway east of Bairnsdale will have much greater road safety and transport outcomes than completion of duplicating the highway between Sale and Traralgon. “The estimated $200 million required to duplicate the next stage of the Sale/Traralgon Princes Highway duplication would be much better spent fixing the eastern section of the highway. “The road safety and transport benefits for fixing the dangerous, narrow, windy sections of this highway far outweigh the slight improvement in travel time and separation that will be gained on the Sale section. “A political push to place the highest priority on completion of the duplication of the Princes Highway between Sale and Traralgon is severely misplaced, and is compromising road safety objectives and outcomes. This week, I have outlined my concerns and objections to the Victorian Minister for Roads, Tim Pallas, and the Parliament of Victoria. “Together with the Gippsland East community and regular drivers on this large section of road, I await the Minister’s positive response on this important matter,” Mr Ingram concluded.
Monday, 1 February 2010 Return to top
The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has assisted Fisheries Victoria in releasing 20,000 Australian Bass fingerlings into Lake Glenmaggie. Speaking at the event last week, Mr Ingram said Australian Bass are regarded as one of Australia’s premier sports fish. “The stocking of Lake Glenmaggie, as well as 30,000 fish into Blue Rock Dam, will add significantly to the recreation angling and tourism opportunities in the region,” Mr Ingram said “The lack of success in production has led to a gap of eight years since the last stocking of these impoundments. “But with the support and assistance of local anglers and fishing clubs, Fisheries Victoria has collected Gippsland Lakes breeding stock and a hatchery has also been involved in the Snowy River Australian Bass recovery program, resulting in the successful raising of some 50,000 Australian Bass fingerlings. “It is great to see this important native fish species making a comeback in Gippsland. “The stocking of local impoundments with native fish will enhance the vast array of excellent fishing opportunities already in Gippsland,” Mr Ingram concluded.
Craig Ingram with a nice Australian Bass,
Click on picture to enlarge
Craig Ingram MP and Director of Fisheries Victoria
Tuesday, 19 January 2010 Return to top Ingram endorses High Country cattle grazing pledge
The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has backed the state coalition’s pledge to return alpine grazing in the Victorian High Country. Mr Ingram has previously supported the Mountain Cattlemens Association of Victoria (MCAV) in its aim to continue the access to the National Park areas closed to cattle by the Bracks Government and strongly opposed the legislation when it was debated in State Parliament. “While I welcome the commitment by the opposition, I am surprised at the number of caveats and conditions that the opposition has included in its pledge,” Mr Ingram said. “Any change to cattle grazing access to the Alpine National Parks will have to be passed through the State Parliament and the opposition seems to be having a bet each way in ‘strategic’ grazing and leaving the decision up to Parks Victoria and Department of Sustainability and Environment personnel where and when grazing might return. “If the caveats proposed in the coalition’s announcement are put into place, grazing will never return to park areas. “Lets hope the National Party’s word is better on this pledge than that given to the timber industry at the last election, where they committed to vote-down the old growth national parks legislation and actually ended up hand-in-hand with the Greens, locking out timber workers from large areas of East Gippsland’s State Forests. “I will support legislation that is introduced to return grazing to the areas where grazing has been removed. “As I have previously stated throughout this debate, grazing is and should be used as one of the tools to manage fire and fuel loads,” Mr Ingram concluded.
Sunday, 20 December 2009
Return to top
Thursday, 10 December 2009 Return to top Delegation holds positive discussions with Health Minister
The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has described Tuesday’s meeting with the Minister for Health, Daniel Andrews, and representatives from the Heyfield community as “a positive step in the community’s aim of having a paramedic service backing the current Ambulance Community Officers (ACOs).” Mr Ingram said the government and Ambulance Victoria will investigate a range of options and the costing for the provision of a paramedic services and a new ambulance facilities at Heyfield. “These costing and proposals will be worked through with the auxiliary and community over the next few months before reporting back to the Minister, Mr Ingram said. “The Minister has given a commitment to meet again with representatives of the auxiliary and community to discuss the findings and options for Heyfield in the new year. “The Minister congratulated the community on the quality of the submission and community support. “Following the meeting, I am hopeful that Ambulance Victoria and the State Government can find an acceptable model that meets the needs of the Heyfield community for improved paramedic coverage of the region,” Mr Ingram concluded. Wednesday, 2 December 2009 Return to top
Swift action needed to protect Gippsland children: Ingram
The Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, says the State Government must take swift action to ensure that Gippsland’s vulnerable children are adequately protected by the Department of Human Services (DHS). Mr Ingram’s comments follow the release of a report by the Victorian Ombudsman last week, showing that the DHS Gippsland region had over 59 percent of child protection cases unallocated. “Clearly there is a staffing issue in Gippsland with a number of vacant positions, but as the Ombudsman’s investigation found, there is evidence that filling all staff vacancies would not solve the workload issue entirely,” Mr Ingram said. “Gippsland’s caseload is the highest for regional Victoria and understandably DHS has now put in measures to attempt to deal with the backlog of work following the Ombudsman’s investigation. “While this is an interim measure, I have written to the State Government requesting ongoing additional support to assist staff in protecting our region’s vulnerable children. “Child protection workers have an extremely difficult job and it is essential that they are given support by Government in recruiting more staff to lighten the number of cases assigned to them. “This would also result in more time being spent working on individual cases and assisting these vulnerable children,” Mr Ingram concluded.
Wednesday, 2 December 2009 Return to topAn impressive demonstration of what a community can do: Ingram The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has congratulated the East Gippsland community on its spectacular effort in building a house for auction at Toonalook Waters, Paynesville, to raise funds for Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS). In Parliament this week, Mr Ingram described the efforts of all involved as “a real testament to the positive attitude of Gippsland people”. “Faced with a need for a major upgrade to the oncology and dialysis department at Bairnsdale, the community has shown its full commitment and a ‘can do’ attitude,” Mr Ingram said. In Parliament, Mr Ingram thanked Mina Armstrong (who donated the block of land), the Practical Men of the Village Inc, local tradespeople, businesses and other agencies who have all chipped in to build the home at 5 Waterlily Way. “This house is a quality home in a great location and will be auctioned to raise funds for the oncology/dialysis unit at BRHS,” Mr Ingram said. “This project shows what can occur when driven people with a commitment to their community get together to make things happen. “I encourage anyone looking to purchase a new house to get along to the auction on Saturday, December 5, or before hand to inspect what is a great new house at Paynesville. “I know that the patients, staff and management at the hospital are all looking forward to having new facilities for oncology and dialysis and this community contribution will go towards making this project a reality. “On behalf of the Gippsland East community, I thank all those who have done their bit – be it large or small -- to get this project to completion,” Mr Ingram concluded.
Further information is available from http://www.toonalook.com.au/ Ingram stands up for timber communities in Parliament
The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has voted against a Bill currently before state parliament that will establish new old growth forest reserves and additions to existing National Parks in East Gippsland. Speaking in Parliament this afternoon, Mr Ingram said the Bill will just shift the forest protests and fights to new battlegrounds and will create further uncertainty and conflict within the timber industry. “The industry has been belted around for decades by government reviews, changes and interference and is again loosing high value areas and timber resource to more National Parks,” Mr Ingram said. “The areas to be included include Goolengook, Tarra Range and new additions to the Errinundra and Snowy National Parks. “The resource from these new old growth reserves contains some of the most productive forests. “The government plans to find the offsets of resource from areas set aside under the Regional Forest Agreements, including the informal reserve system and the special protection zones. The area and timber that will need to be found from the special protection zones and other areas outside the new parks will be substantial and the industry will have to fight tooth and nail for every stick of timber from these reserves. “It is clear to me that the government has just set up another battleground and moved the fight to new coups and new areas that the environment movement has already claimed. “The lost resource and areas are some of the higher quality production and high rainfall areas “If either side of politics thinks that these new reserves will end the decades of conflict and political debate in East Gippsland’s forests, they are very mistaken. This Bill is just another excision from the available resource and another blow to the timber industry. “At the last election, I made it clear of my opposition to further removal of available resource from those areas available to the timber industry and at least I have been consistent with that position, unlike the National Party who claims to support the timber industry and yet have supported this
December 8th 2009
VICTORIAN LANDS ALLIANCE Media ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Ingram Call For Deer Management Supported
Gippsland East MP Craig Ingram has called on the government to amend National Parks legislation currently before the parliament to allow for more parks to be opened to licensed deer hunting, to manage increasing numbers of deer.
Mr Ingram states in his letter to government that seasonal, licensed deer hunting is the only tool currently available to manage deer on public land and this should be expanded to lessen impacts of deer on the environment.
“The Victorian Lands Alliance supports Mr Ingram’s call for deer management in existing and new national parks to preserve the conservation values of parks for all Victorians” said the secretary of the Alliance, Max Rheese.
“We note that sambar deer, whilst classed as protected wildlife, have been declared a Potentially Threatening Process under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, so it is the duty of the land manager to bring about a means of management that is currently lacking in these areas.”
“The amendments called for by Mr Ingram would allow deer hunting under the same conditions that already occur in six other national parks in Victoria since 1984” said Mr Rheese.
Public land management guidelines dictate that animal populations must be managed and this currently does not occur in the Snowy River National Park and some other parks. The proposed amendment would provide a win-win situation for the government as it could be seen to be aiding the requirements of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act without any cost to land managers.
Deer hunting is highly regulated and controlled and is the safest outdoor adventure activity in Victoria according to figures from the National Coroners Information database.
Recreational users have reported higher numbers of deer in parks that are not open to hunting supporting Mr Ingram’s claims of a need for deer management in national parks.
– ENDS –
Contact: Max Rheese 03 5762 4456 0428 621320 www.landsalliance.org
The Victorian Lands Alliance is a coalition of member based recreational and commercial users of public land representing over 40,000 Victorians. The primary objective of the Alliance is to initiate public policy which is consistent with the ideals of its member organisations to improve the management of public land.
This policy will ensure active management and sustainable multiple-use of public land that balances the needs of the environment and community.
ngram concluded.
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