Transport project celebrates achievements

A decade-long project to improve transport options to residents of East Gippsland and Wellington shire councils has wrapped up, with the achievements celebrated at a ceremony in Maffra recently.

The Let’s GET Connected project implemented more than 150 transport initiatives across the two shires during its 10 years of operation.

East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Cr Dick Ellis said the project found innovative ways to address transport disadvantage and transport gaps in a range of areas.

“These included health and medical transport services, improving transport access for Aborigines, youth transport access on school buses, improving access for people with disabilities and increasing public transport services using buses and taxis,” Mr Ellis said.

“Most importantly, the Let’s GET Connected project has enabled successful advocacy in highlighting systemic transport barriers and gaps that were faced at a local, regional and state-wide level.”

One of the projects provided access to spare seats of school buses, which saw more than 900 post-school students aged between 15-24 accessing spare seats across the Wellington and East Gippsland school bus network.

“Another Lets GET Connected project, Gippsland East Aboriginal Driver Education began in 2005 and has had fantastic outcomes,” Mr Ellis said.

“Since it started, it has supported our Aboriginal community to achieve over 240 learners permits, more than 180 probationary licences and 20 endorsed licences.

“It has also helped achieve more than 70 employment outcomes and over 80 enrolments in education and training. The project continues to be delivered by Mission Australia, a Let’s GET Connected key partner, in conjunction with the L2P project,” he concluded.

For more information http://www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/Council/News_and_Media_Releases/Transport_project_celebrates_achievements