A $120,000 upgrade will add two new meeting rooms, study pods and a revamped service desk to the Traralgon library. The state government is providing $80,000 and Latrobe City Council $40,000. Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said libraries are about more than quiet reading, offering places to work, learn and study. Works on a $30 million Warragul library and learning centre have started, with the facility due to open by early 2028. Upgrade works at Traralgon are expected to begin toward the end of the year.
A re-elected Labor state government has pledged $1 million to upgrade the Gordon Recreation Reserve oval and fix its well-known slope. The surface falls about a metre from one end to the other, which club members say causes repair work and rolled ankles after heavy rain. Moorabool Shire has earmarked $1.2 million toward the total project cost of $2.4 million, and the work already features in the venue's master plan. Local MP Michaela Settle said the oval needs levelling. The oval was first reconstructed in the 1980s by volunteers and is now not fit for purpose under current standards.
Labor has promised a $700,000 upgrade for the Gladstone Park Bowls Club if it is re-elected. The state government says the money would go towards all-weather facilities for bowlers. Sunbury MP Josh Bull said the funding would make a big difference for the club. The plan would involve working with the local council to build a dome that shelters a new bowling green. Community Sport Minister Ros Spence said the project would help local clubs bring people together.
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Nelson Park School in Corio has unveiled a $6.4 million learning centre, featuring four classrooms and two specialist areas for senior students. The state-funded project includes an administration building, decking and landscaping, aimed at fostering independence and life skills. Lara MP Ella George officially opened the facilities, highlighting the investment's focus on modern, inclusive spaces. The school supports 350 students with mild intellectual disabilities, offering tailored programs with therapist and wellbeing support. This follows a $10 million upgrade of the school's Libau campus in 2024, which added flexible learning spaces and specialist facilities.
The Kalumburu airstrip in Western Australia's Kimberley region has been upgraded to improve safe and reliable air access for the remote Aboriginal community. The project, funded by both the Cook and Albanese Labor governments, included resurfacing over 87,000 square metres of the runway, taxiway, and apron, as well as drainage improvements. The upgrades were carried out in consultation with local Aboriginal corporations and created employment opportunities for residents. The airstrip is crucial for essential connectivity, including regular flights to Kununurra and access for emergency services like the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Residents in Wonthaggi are waiting for a road seal upgrade on Queen Street between Merrin Crescent and Broome Crescent. The project, approved by Bass Coast Shire Council nearly a year ago, is now in its final design stage. Construction is planned for November to December 2026, but council warns these dates depend on contractor availability and weather conditions. Local resident Peter Carden remains sceptical about the timeline.
Stan Payne Oval in Evans Head has completed a $400,000 lighting upgrade, including 41 new floodlights and four 32-metre steel poles. The project was funded by a $200,000 NSW Government grant and Richmond Valley Council. State MP Richie Williamson and council officials attended the completion event. The improved facilities will benefit local sporting groups, including rugby league, rugby union, touch football, and cricket, while supporting broader community events.
The New England Highway between Muswellbrook and Armidale will receive $849.8 million in upgrades, the largest portion of a $1.74 billion package for three regional road corridors. The funding will go towards road, shoulder, and intersection widening, turning lanes, overtaking lanes, and intelligent transport systems. More than 1,000 jobs will be supported across New South Wales. The Australian and NSW governments are jointly funding the upgrades, which will be accelerated under the NSW Government’s Project Swift initiative.
Surf Coast Shire Council will begin redeveloping Spring Valley Bike Park in Torquay this month. The upgrade will include nine trails of varying difficulty to support rider skill progression. The bike park will close to the public during the works, which are expected to be completed by late December. Council has worked with local riders and World Trail to develop the concept plan for the redevelopment.
