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Bass Coast Council seeks community input on future use of vacant Wonthaggi Secondary College site, with drop-in sessions scheduled in May

The former Wonthaggi Secondary College site has been vacant since 2019. Council seeks community input to guide future use, balancing local needs, heritage, and long-term financial sustainability.

By news@gippsland - 24th April 2026 - Back to News

Once a place of learning for generations of locals, the Former Wonthaggi Secondary College Site has sat vacant since 2019. Now, Bass Coast Shire Council is inviting the community to share their views on the preferred future land use ideas to help reimagine what this large, centrally located site could become. While the site is currently managed by the Victorian Department of Education, revitalising the Former Wonthaggi Secondary College Site is a Tier 1 advocacy priority for Council.

Currently managed by the Victorian Department of Education, the former Wonthaggi Secondary College site has sat vacant since 2019. Its location near green spaces, community facilities and the town centre means has the potential to support future community, cultural and economic outcomes

Community-led future planning

Bass Coast Deputy Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari, said Council had heard the community’s strong desire to see the site brought back to life, while also ensuring any future plans are responsible and sustainable. "We know this site means a great deal to the community, and we’ve heard loud and clear that people don’t want to see it sit vacant."

"At the same time, we have a responsibility to plan carefully and make sure any future use is financially sustainable and doesn’t place an ongoing burden on ratepayers. We want to explore potential land use ideas and work together to understand what a balanced and viable future for the site could look like," Cr Tessari said.

This engagement builds on earlier work undertaken in 2025, including community input as part of the Wonthaggi Structure Plan review and the establishment of a Community Reference Group. The group participated in a series of workshops, helping to identify potential land uses, explore funding considerations, and shape engagement approaches to ensure a broad range of voices are heard.

Precinct potential balance

Cr Tessari said the site offers significant potential if the right balance can be achieved. "There are exciting possibilities for this site, such as a mixed‑use redevelopment that could create a vibrant new precinct. Its location near green spaces, community facilities and the town centre means it has the potential to support jobs, services, arts and culture, and help meet future housing and community needs."

"But we are also being transparent about the challenges that need to be carefully considered. These include the fact that Council does not currently own or manage the site, the condition of the existing buildings, and the significant upfront and ongoing costs that would be involved should Council take the site on," he said.

Site future feedback

Council is asking the community to participate in an interactive engagement on Engage Bass Coast where participants can:

• Read about the potential land use options
• Take part in the Balancing the Uses activity to build an ideal mix of community and income‑generating uses
• Complete a survey to share any additional ideas or feedback not captured in the activity

To help you picture what’s possible, drop‑in sessions will also be held in Wonthaggi, offering guided walks around the perimeter of the site and the opportunity to speak directly with staff. Drop‑in sessions will run on:

• Saturday, 2 May 2026, 10:00am–12:00pm
• Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 10:00am–12:00pm

Registrations are limited and required to attend. Community input will help Council understand what matters most and guide the next stages of planning and advocacy for the site. To have your say and take part in the activities, visit Engage Bass Coast website.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Heyfield's only childcare service faces closure after losing $270,000 in federal funding, prompting Darren Chester to seek urgent assistance while a Senate inquiry examines rural and regional child care access.
• Baw Baw book boxes bring free children’s books and reading opportunities to communities across Drouin, Longwarry and Warragul
  Baw Baw Shire Council and Drouin Men’s Shed have installed community book boxes across Drouin, Longwarry and Warragul, offering free children’s books while encouraging literacy, reading and family connections.
• East Gippsland targets Canberra visitors in new Spring Tourism Campaign, destination marketing and supporting local businesses
  East Gippsland Shire Council has launched a Canberra-focused spring tourism campaign, testing evidence-led marketing strategies while attracting shoulder-season visitors and supporting local businesses through targeted promotion.
• Sailors Grave Brewing celebrates ten years, turning East Gippsland's produce and remote coast into a destination
  Sailors Grave Brewing celebrates ten years, growing from an Orbost butter factory brewery into a celebrated Marlo destination showcasing East Gippsland’s produce, landscapes, creativity and community through distinctive beers and local food.
• Stallholder applications open for 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo connecting families and community services
  Stallholder applications have opened for the 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo, offering organisations and entertainers the chance to connect with thousands of local families during National Children's Week celebrations.
• Latrobe City opens nominations for 2027 Australia Day Awards and Sporting Hall of Fame honours, nominate by 11 September 2026
  Latrobe City Council has opened nominations for the 2027 Australia Day Awards and Sporting Hall of Fame, recognising outstanding community contributors and sporting achievers. Entries close September 11, 2026.
• Marlo named sole East Gippsland finalist in Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, celebrating community spirit
  Marlo was East Gippsland’s sole finalist in the Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, recognised for its authentic visitor experiences and strong community-driven tourism campaign.
• Southern Rural Water manages Gippsland storages during rainfall, balancing flood risks, water supplies and community safety
  Southern Rural Water managed Gippsland water storages during significant weekend rainfall, using controlled releases to create capacity, reduce flood risks and protect community safety and water supplies.
• Baw Baw Australia Day Awards nominations open, recognising local heroes, organisations and events, voting is until 30 October 2026
  Baw Baw Shire Council has opened nominations for the 2027 Australia Day Awards, recognising outstanding citizens, young people, organisations and community events making contributions locally.
• Reliable water access drives Busch Organics' sustainable farming success and secures its fourth-generation future in East Gippsland
  Busch Organics relies on Mitchell River and groundwater to sustain organic vegetable production, while soil moisture technology, sustainable practices and family farming strengthen productivity and future generations.
• New Lakes Entrance fire station prioritised ahead of 2026 state election
  Council is urging the Victorian government to fund a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, replacing the 90-year-old facility to improve emergency response, safety, capacity and regional resilience.
• Traralgon Tyers interconnect begins, strengthening water supply reliability and resilience across four Gippsland towns for future regional growth
  Gippsland Water has begun construction on a 4.5-kilometre pipeline linking four towns to Traralgon’s water network, improving reliability, resilience, efficiency and capacity for future regional growth.
• Live and Loud at GPAC brings AFL Grand Final action, family fun and entertainment to Traralgon on 26 September 2026
  Latrobe City Council will host Live and Loud at GPAC on September 26, featuring family activities, entertainment, a ticketed musical-acrobat performance and free live screening of the 2026 AFL Grand Final.
• Latrobe City launches Forestree platform showcasing 63,000 public trees across urban and rural townships
  Latrobe City Council has launched Forestree, an interactive platform showcasing more than 63,000 public trees, 600 species and ongoing tree planting, watering and maintenance efforts.
• Nathan Kearsley and Jill Colson appointed as Baw Baw Shire new directors following recent organisational restructure
  Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Nathan Kearsley and Jill Colson as new directors following a restructure reducing its executive leadership team from five to three.
• Marlo's Healeys road timber bridge to be replaced with stronger steel structure built for 100 years
  East Gippsland Shire Council will replace Marlo’s ageing Healeys Road timber bridge with a $642,780 steel structure, improving safety, access, load capacity and long-term reliability for local users.
• East Gippsland planning roadshow brings expert advice to Mallacoota residents, improving access to local services
  East Gippsland Shire Council's Planning Roadshow will visit Mallacoota on August 17, offering residents face-to-face planning advice, permit guidance and access to the new AI-powered myLot planning tool.
• East Gippsland simplifies footpath permit fees, reducing costs for businesses while supporting safe, vibrant, accessible town centres
  East Gippsland Shire Council has introduced a simplified, tiered Goods on Footpath permit fee structure, reducing costs for many businesses while supporting vibrant town centres and maintaining safe, accessible public spaces.
• Have your say on the Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip - Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (Revised) to unlock growth until 21 September 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council is simplifying planning controls in Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, aiming to unlock housing growth, reduce red tape and support development over the next 30-plus years.
• Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
  East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks.
• Major GRISS upgrade strengthens Gippsland’s premier indoor sports and events venue for future growth
  The upgraded Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium was officially opened, delivering modern facilities, supporting local jobs, and strengthening its role as Gippsland's leading venue for community sport and major events.
• New Heart Morass watering infrastructure strengthens Gippsland Lakes wetland health and protects freshwater flows for future generations
  New watering infrastructure at Heart Morass enables controlled freshwater flows, reducing salinity and supporting wetland health, wildlife habitat and long-term resilience across the Gippsland Lakes.
• Darren Chester discusses democracy, civics and federal parliament with St Paul's Year 9 students in Traralgon
  Darren Chester visited St Paul's Anglican Grammar School in Traralgon, discussing civics, democracy, Parliament and community issues with engaged Year 9 students and encouraging young people to participate in Australia's democratic process.
• Darren Chester congratulates Maffra student Jaxon Marshall on National Youth Parliament selection representing Gippsland in Canberra
  Maffra Secondary College student Jaxon Marshall will represent Gippsland at the 2026 National Youth Parliament, earning praise from Darren Chester for bringing regional and agricultural perspectives to Canberra.