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West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation becomes not-for-profit organisation in Bass Coast Shire

Council working with West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation on the proposed transition to ensure the required governance changes do not affect the important service and to meet the needs and expectations of the growing community.

By news@gippsland - 22nd July 2021 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council has formally endorsed the transition of West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation (WGRLC) to a not-for-profit organisation. This recommended change will not impact services or the support Council provides, but will help prepare for changes prompted by the removal of Library Corporations from the Local Government Act 2020.

Libraries have a particularly important role to play, both in promoting general wellbeing, and as part of a support package to people struggling with poor mental health, providing safe spaces, access to resources, and developing skills

Access to greater opportunities

Under the Local Government Act 2020, Councils are now required to establish Not-For-Profit entities. The change provides benefits to how libraries are operated, including access to greater opportunities such as philanthropic donations, private sector funding and innovation. This enables a strong sense of independence, whilst limiting the financial risks often faced by Councils.

Bass Coast, along with South Gippsland and Baw Baw Shire Councils make up the membership of WGRLC and all three member Councils must adopt the same resolution in order for the transition to occur. South Gippsland Shire Council made their decision this week, whilst Baw Baw Shire Council will consider their decision next week.

Recognised as industry leaders in the library sector across the state, WGRLC delivers innovative library services to Bass Coast, Baw Baw and South Gippsland communities. According to a Victorian Auditor General’s Office report, WGRLC is ranked in the top third for all library services across Victoria in both core library services, programs and events.

Meeting the community needs and expectations

Council has been working with WGRLC on the proposed transition to ensure the required governance changes do not affect the important service. Benefits from the proposed changes include:

• Partnering with organisations to deliver additional community focused and specialised library services that a community is seeking, while realising efficiencies through shared library services with other Councils
• Pursuing philanthropic opportunities for fundraising, sponsorship, donations and bequests, which support long-term financially sustainability

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said that innovation is key to ensuring WGRLC meets the needs and expectations of the growing community.

Libraries as vital part of the towns

Cr Tessari said, "Our libraries are a really important asset for our communities and are a vital part of the social fabric of our towns, if all three member councils vote in favour of this transition, it will enable WGRLC to continue to provide these amazing benefits to our communities, and beyond."

The most important thing to note about the transition is that it won’t change anything for our library users. They will continue to experience all that they love about the service," Cr Tessari concluded.

Pictures from West Gippsland Libraries Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

If you are the author of this story you can edit it by clicking here

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  Wellington Shire Council is a finalist in the 2021 National Economic Development Awards for Excellence.
• Baw Baw Shire Council comes for pop-up session at Labertouche in September
  Baw Baw Shire Council is heading to Labertouche on Thursday 7 October for a Council Pop-up session, all residents are invited to come along and speak to their Councillors and senior Council team members about the issues that matter to them.
• Baw Baw Shire Council shares in state funding to help residents understand the four-bin recycling system
  Victorian councils are being supported to roll out new education campaigns to help residents understand the four-bin recycling system, as part of the Victorian Government’s goal to divert 80% of waste from landfill.
• Baw baw Shire Council set to continue chemical free maintenance program across open space areas
  Council will continue chemical free park maintenance across three open space areas, Hearn Street Park in Drouin, Queen Street Park in Warragul, and McGregor Park in Trafalgar.
• Big step forward for Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail to create an interactive sound and light ‘Gondwana Garden’
  A masterplan developed for the community to experience dinosaur discovery, learning and creativity, a journey that links together history, community, culture and environment
• Baw Baw Shire Council advocates on need for safer road infrastructure and traffic solutions in Drouin Warragul and Walhalla
  Meeting and discussion about the traffic and safety issues as well as the timeframe of road repairs.
• Baw Baw Shire Council celebrates Tania McLeish, Anne Skinner and Belinda Watts-Keeley induction to Sporting Walk of Fame
  Acknowledging gender equality achievement of men and women through sports.
• Wellington Shire Council endorses second package for business COVID support
  Wellington Shire Council today endorsed the second incarnation of its Covid-19 Business Support Package to assist local businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic.
• Wellington Shire Council wants community’s feedback on sport as and community facilities plans
  Council is seeking community feedback in shaping the infrastructure plans.
• Baw Baw Shire Council doing good job as 2021 community satisfaction survey shows improvement
  Community satisfaction survey results have been released and can now be viewed.
• Baw Baw Shire and Latrobe City Council get extra $13,200 from state government ‘Municipal Emergency Resourcing Program’
  Eastern Victorian Councils will receive more funding to help them prepare for and respond to emergencies thanks to a funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government.
• Victorian system in crisis: More mental health workers needed to meet regional and metro demand
  Today’s mental health announcement from the Andrews Labor Government doesn’t go anywhere near far enough to address Victoria’s shadow pandemic.
• Wellington Shire Council calls for concerns and suggestions during pandemic with Living Well Durong COVID-19 plan
  Residents of Wellington to give their suggestions to help improve wellbeing during the pandemic.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 22 September 2021
  Council meeting minutes and agendas held last 22 September 2021.
• Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project Environmental Effects Statement (EES) and Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) hearing cost East Gippsland Shire Council $730,688
  Total external cost hearing of the fingerboards mineral sands project.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 13 October 2021
  On Monday 11 October, Council held an additional Council Meeting to consider the scope, budget and potential funding options of the Baw Baw Civic Precinct.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 8 September 2021
  Minutes and agendas of the council meeting last 8 Sep 2021.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 11 August 2021
  Agenda of the council meeting on Wednesday, 11 August.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 25 August 2021
  Agenda from the council meeting held on 25 August 2021.
• Wellington Shire council's domestic animal management plan is open for feedback
  Dog and cat lovers, the council wants to hear from you.
• Honouring the Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Motorcycle Club of Gippsland Chapter
  Member for Monash Russell Broadbent and Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood, honouring the Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Motorcycle Club – Gippsland Chapter.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 14 July 2021
  Agendas of council meeting held on 14 July 2021.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot – 28 July 2021
  To keep our community up to date with key Council decisions, outcomes and plans; here is a snapshot summary from Council’s Wednesday 28 July ordinary meeting.
• Wellington Shire Council urging residents to prepare properties for coming fire season
  Properties must be prepared before the annual inspections take place and maintained for the entire Fire Danger Period.
• No more excuses for Victorian Labor to delay worker fix for Gippsland farmers
  The Andrews Labor Government has run out of excuses to delay fixing Victoria’s farm worker shortage, after the Federal Government today confirmed details of Australia’s ag visa program.
• Wellington Shire Council reminds dog owners to clean up after their pooches
  Reminding pet owners to clean up their pets waste, failure to do so will be fined.
• Wellington Shire Council wants resident feedback on its 2021-25 plan
  Invitation to the community to express their concern or idea on the council plan.
• Five remote areas get improved mobile phone coverage in East Gippsland
  Five remote areas in East Gippsland will receive improved mobile phone coverage thanks to Federal Government funding.
• Business Fibre Zone at Phillip Island in Bass Coast to give local businesses access to Gigabit Internet connections
  691 Businesses in the Monash electorate will benefit from cheaper and faster broadband with NBN Co announcing the establishment of a Business Fibre Zone at Phillip Island – Bass Coast today.
• More than $15 million federal money spent to reduce mobile phone black spots across Gippsland
  Gippslanders are safer, and the economy has prospered because of more than $15 million being spent to reduce mobile phone black spots, according to the Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
• Pandemic frightens people but that should not stop us asking any questions like if vaccine mandates are effective and what alternative treatments are there
  Thoughts and questions about the mandatory vaccinations and vaccine passports.
• Explore your backyard online this National Water Week with East Gippsland Water
  Join us in an online learning festival to celebrate the national water week.
• Macalister Resilience and Critical Infrastructure project gets $2.5M federal funding to improve pathway to Gippsland water security
  The Macalister Resilience and Critical Infrastructure project will receive $2.5 million in federal government funding.
• Feedback wanted on Baw Baw Shire Council roadside and footpath trading policy
  Baw Baw Shire Council is undertaking a review of its Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy.
• Australia day awards for 2020 nominations open for people that have gone above and beyond in South Gippsland Shire
  Nominations are now open for the South Gippsland Australia Day Awards.
• Feedback sought on draft Smiths Beach town plan by Bass Coast Shire Council
  Bass Coast Shire Council has developed the Draft Smiths Beach Town Plan, following extensive community engagement in 2020 and is now looking for feedback.
• Victoria’s Chief Psychiatrist again not involved in decision to extend hard lock down by three more weeks
  More youth are suffering mental ill-health because of Labor’s extensive lockdowns.
• Cowes Culture and Community Centre construction tender up to be considered by Bass Coast Shire Council on 20 Oct 2021
  Council project that valued the community's feedback and would create jobs for the local community.
• Mayor Danny Goss of Baw Baw Shire Council to host live Q&A on Facebook on 14 Sep 2021
  Join Mayor Danny Goss as he answers resident questions in a live Facebook Q&A event on Tuesday 14 September at 7.30pm.
• Vexatious court claims closes timber coupe for training Victorian essential service personnel at TAFE Gippsland
  Timber coupe being used by TAFE Gippsland for training Victorian essential service personnel has been targeted by vexatious court claims resulting in its closure.
• Community feedback wanted on Baw Baw Shire Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy
  Council is seeking valuable community input to guide the development of a new environmental sustainability strategy for Baw Baw Shire.
• Pet plan (Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021/25) adopted by Bass Coast Shire Council
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2021-25 at the October Council Meeting.
• Andrews Labor Government finally taking a limited approach to lockdown and reduce damage to regional communities
  Labor government finally taking limited approach to lockdown.
• Darren Chester welcomes Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill to allow large Bass Strait projects with hundreds of local jobs
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the introduction of legislation to develop offshore electricity infrastructure with local jobs at stake.
• Victorian growers need thousands – not hundreds – of workers to meet workforce demand
  An extended seasonal worker deal with Tasmania will finally deliver workers into Victoria, but it will do little to fill the yawning shortage of pickers across the state.
• Landcare Australia gets bushfire environmental recovery boost of $3.8 million from federal wildlife and habitat recovery for East Gippsland
  Nearly 20 projects in East Gippsland will receive funding to aid the recovery of native wildlife and habitat severely impacted by the 2019/20 black summer bushfires.
• Wellington Shire wellness map list of tracks and trails close to town centres to encourage you to spend time in the spring sunshine
  Wellington Shire council is encouraging you to get active close to home.
• Wellington Shire mayor urges locals to follow COVID-19 health advice for sake of local business
  Wellington Shire Council Mayor Garry Stephens has urged locals to be vigilant and to follow the latest Covid-19 health advice, for the sake of local business.
• Nominations are now open for the 2022 Bass Coast Australia Day Award
  Nominations for Bass Coast Australia Day 2022 Awards.
• Snowy River railway trestle bridge will boost tourism for East Gippsland
  Council working and supporting the locals in the restoration of the trestle bridge that will give long-term benefits for the community.
• Baw Baw Council welcomes Victorian government funding to support flood and storm recovery
  Baw Baw Shire Council welcomes the announcement of financial support from the Victorian Government to assist with our recovery efforts in the wake of the devastating storms that have recently struck our region.
• James Reid - Baw Baw Shire Planning Director departs to pursue potentially career-defining project in professional planning
  Baw Baw Shire Council Director of Planning and Development James Reid to pursue a role with the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust.
• Baw Baw Shire residents can book additional hard waste pick up service to help with Spring cleanup
  Additional hard waste collection bookings are now open for Baw Baw Shire residents looking to get their Spring cleaning done and dusted.
• Click and Collect for Wellington Shire libraries to resume
  Library service allowing the members access books and resources during lockdown.
• Expanded free TAFE turbocharges post-covid Victoria and Gippsland
  Additional TAFE courses ensuring appropriate training for Victorian job seekers.
• Federal funding boost to upgrade Bengworden Road in East Gippsland
  Upgrades for safety and improved driving conditions that will also help support local jobs.
• New footpath along Howitt Avenue and Eastwood Road to make a safer route to school and the shops
  East Gippsland Shire Council starts work this week on a new footpath that will provide Eastwood locals with a safer route to school and the shops, and offer a great reason to leave the car at home.
• Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre awards local company A1 Solar & Electrical to install 100kW solar power system
  East Gippsland Shire Council is tapping into the power of the sun to save on energy costs by installing its largest-ever solar system in one of its buildings.
• Latrobe City Council calls to preserve Lake Narracan following the closure of Yallourn Power Station in 2028
  Latrobe City Council will make a submission to the State Government calling to preserve Lake Narracan’s weir and water levels following the closure of Yallourn Power Station in 2028.
• Latrobe City Council submits to inquiry into impacts of Hazelwood and Yallourn power stations closures
  Latrobe City Council will advocate for greater Government support for the municipality to help the region transition with less power stations.
• Wellington shire residents now eligible for storm recovery assistance from Federal government
  Funding to provide assistance to the residents affected by the storm in their recovery process.
• Latrobe City Council seeks to attract manufacturers for Australian Defence Force to Latrobe Valley
  Latrobe City Council is seeking to raise the City’s manufacturing profile by contacting businesses in the defence supply chain from across Australia, with the intent of attracting new opportunities to the municipality.
• Support Baw Baw Shire hospitality and businesses throughout the pandemic with 'Baw Baw Eat and Explore' campaign and website
  Government project that encourages community to buy local products as much as they can to help the businesses thrive with the current challenges from the pandemic.
• Latrobe City Council announces community representatives for safety committee
  Council announcing the representative of the new community safety committee.
• Baw Baw Council adopts planning scheme amendment for Drouin CBD
  Community feedback sought by the council has helped shape the design and development of Drouin's central business district.
• Keith Cook sworn in as a Baw Baw Shire Councillor
  Keith Cook has been sworn in as a Baw Baw Shire Councillor with a ceremony held this afternoon in the Fountain Room of the West Gippsland Art Centre.
• Draft economic development and visitor economy strategies for South Gippsland
  The Draft Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategies are now out for public comment.
• Latrobe City Council re-opens Cumberland Park kindergarten after negative results for COVID-19
  Identified close contact resulted negative from COVID-19.
• Latrobe City Council calls for Victorian government to support for timber industry
  Release of code of practice for timber industry that has been on a long delayed by the state government.
• Feedback needed from Baw Baw Shire residents on how we manage pets and pet owner issues
  Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021 – 2025.
• Feedback wanted on community vision, draft council plan and draft long term financial plan from Baw Baw Shire Council
  Residents of the community is encouraged to join the community engagement and send their feedback to council’s vision for the Baw Baw’s future.
• Latrobe City Youth Council encourages healthy eating with 'Fab food marvellous mood' campaign'
  Food campaign to help educate the young people about healthy diet that lead to happier and healthier mental and physical wellness.
• Multi-million for bushfire recovery infrastructure projects is great news for East Gippsland
  Funding announcements and grant received from council that would benefit the economy, as well as the community.
• Darren Chester in support of federal funding for improvement to Greenwattle Racecourse in Sale
  Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Sale Turf Club CEO Brad Evans discussing opportunities for Federal Government grants to support further upgrades at the Greenwattle Racecourse.
• Low indigenous vaccination rates risk widening the gap in Latrobe Valley and Gippsland
  Vaccine hesitancy and testing hesitancy in Victoria’s Indigenous communities’ risks pushing people further into disadvantage under the Andrews Labor Government’s plan to offer more freedoms to people who are fully-vaccinated.
• Tell your mobile dropouts, blackspots and poor connections to the 'Connecting Victoria' online survey
  The people of Gippsland have been given a unique opportunity to name the dropouts, the blackspots and the poor digital connections that impede their ability to live, work and play.
• Book readers in Wellington Shire invited to share reading experiences online via Zoom event
  Online sharing of reading experiences to share with other participants.
• Click and collect available at Wellington shire libraries so bookworms can continue reading during lockdowns
  Libraries across Wellington Shire may be closed due to current restrictions, but bookworms can continue reading via the Click and Collect service.
• Andrews Labor government all quiet on planning for Traralgon highway bypass
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says it’s critical the Andrews Government accelerates the consultation process for the final planning and design of the long-awaited Traralgon bypass.
• Implementation of revised Open Space Maintenance Standards by Baw Baw Shire Council sees improvement on the ground
  Implementation of the adopted open space maintenance will have operational changes, gaining more appreciation and positive feedback.
• Advocacy Priority list endorsed and several important grant applications supported by Bass Coast Shire Council
  Revised and updated advocacy priorities that will seek funding.
• Statewide lockdowns Labor government are killing communities across Victoria including Gippsland
  Decision to call for state lockdown keeps bringing Victorians out of work and resources.
• Nominate a local Baw Baw Shire legend for a 2022 Australia Day Award
  Nominations for the 2022 Australia Day Awards are now open and close at 5pm on Monday 22 November 2021.
• Proposals and ideas wanted on how to best use federal funding from 'Local Jobs Program' for Gippsland
  Support program on improving jobseeker skills and employment pathways.
• Federal Local Economic Recovery program funds $1.4 million for improvements to Buchan streetscape in East Gippsland
  Buchan streetscape will be upgraded thanks to Federal Government funding through the Local Economic Recovery Program.
• Nominations open to for young people for 2022 Youth Council in Wellington Shire
  Wellington Shire Council is calling on young people who want to have a greater say and help build a strong and inclusive community, to nominate for 2022 Youth Council.
• Get active close to home in Wellington Shire with awesome wellness map
  Council has curated a list and map that includes wetlands, arts and beach trails, all within easy reach of Wellington’s main urban areas.
• Public schools ideal to support better mental wellbeing of Victorian students but not enough workers to deliver it
  A pledge to better support Victorian students to settle back into school after months of isolating lockdowns will only make a difference if there’s enough mental health practitioners to deliver it.
• Have your say on the draft concept master plans for the Baw Baw Shire sporting reserves for Warragul and Drouin
  Council is seeking community feedback on the Sporting Reserve Concept Masterplans for Drouin and Warragul.
• Child care services in Wellington Shire gets boost of $230,000
  Three child care providers in Wellington have received a welcome funding boost to meet the needs of local families.
• Free outdoor play sessions in Wellington Shire for children’s week
  Families across Wellington Shire will have plenty to celebrate during Children’s Week, with free outdoor play sessions held in several locations.
• Some of Australia’s most popular newspapers now available online through Wellington Shire libraries
  People can read the newspapers from any library or at home with a library card.