ONE GIPPSLAND has elected a new leadership team to lead the organisation for the next 12 months.
South Gippsland Shire Councillor Nathan Hersey was elected chair, while the Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Council, Cr Rochelle Halstead, was elected as the Deputy Chair at the organisation’s board meeting held in Morwell yesterday.
A key priority for the new leadership team will be advocating for the region during the federal election campaign and in the run up to the next state election in November 2026.
Cr Hersey said he was proud to be elected to advocate for Gippsland to ensure its prosperity during a time of change and to continue the work of One Gippsland from his time as Deputy Chair in 2023.
“Gippsland is on the frontline of change and we are doing the work to prepare our community for what the future holds and making sure we become more prosperous because of it,” Cr Hersey said.
“Gippsland has many valuable assets - including our people - and One Gippsland will continue to work alongside both the state and federal governments to ensure our region grows and prospers,” Cr Hersey said.
“Our region is stronger when our local governments and industry partners work together, with a clear focus of making Gippsland a great place to live, work and enjoy,” Cr Hersey said.
“We want more people to call Gippsland home and to attract them here we need to ensure services such as telecommunications and transport links are efficient, effective and resilient,” Cr Hersey said.
Cr Halstead said One Gippsland was an important advocate for the region.
“One Gippsland unites many voices across Gippsland and has a strong track record as a valuable partner for government, both state and federal,” Cr Halstead said.
“Our members work together to champion the interest of Gippsland and its people and we speak with a strong, unified voice,” Cr Halstead said.
In its pre-budget submission to both the state and federal governments, One Gippsland has recommended funding be allocated to projects including
* four key roads projects to boost safety, cut congestion and maximise freight efficiency;
* five tertiary education projects to make Gippsland the centre of offshore wind and energy excellence;
* improving access, coverage and resilience of the telecommunications network, and
* measures to support Gippsland and enable its communities to prosper as it uses its natural resources to power the country and to move towards a net zero future.
Cr Hersey and Cr Halstead will lead a One Gippsland delegation to Canberra in mid-February to further discuss these priorities and advocate for government funding.
