The Bairnsdale Chamber of Commerce has raised concerns over the recent 2026–27 pre-budget submission by peak regional advocacy body One Gippsland, arguing the plan fails to represent East Gippsland and lacks meaningful engagement with the business community.
Chamber president Trevor Hancock said the submission, presented to the State Government in November, “is bereft of imagination, very little if any engagement with the wider business community, and contains no Gippsland-wide strategy”.
“One Gippsland aims to connect the dots between government, business and the community,” Hancock said.
“But if East Gippsland and Bairnsdale cannot get the chance to advance, why do we bother staying with One Gippsland?”
Hancock noted the body’s committee includes representation from the Gippsland Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, Food and Fibre, Federation University and TAFE Gippsland, but no business leaders, tourism leaders, road transport experts, primary producers, CFA volunteers or representatives from the developing mining industry.
The submission lists priority projects across freight, tourism, digital connectivity, skills and education, and disaster resilience.
Hancock said the list appears heavily influenced by a few members’ local priorities, rather than a coordinated regional strategy.
Examples include:
Freight: San Remo Road Infrastructure $28m; Sale Alternate Truck Route $60m; Leongatha Heavy Vehicle Route $2m; Drouin and Warragul roads (planning) $3m; Traralgon Bypass unspecified.
Tourism: Nanjet Gunaikurnai Cultural Project $55m; Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail $18m.
Hancock criticised the lack of attention to East Gippsland, integrated road and rail planning, passenger trains, broader tourism initiatives, international tourist opportunities, and industry-impacting issues such as AI and state fees affecting hospitality.
He called for greater consultation with business leaders and local Members of Parliament in future submissions to ensure all of Gippsland, including East Gippsland, has a fair opportunity to benefit.
