Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

Churchill to benefit from Green Corps project

Churchill is set to benefit from a Green Corp project that will enhance the Eel Hole Creek area by restoring some of the native vegetation, and will encourage and increase use of the area by the wider community.

By Latrobe Shire Council - 1st June 2004 - Back to News

Green Corps is a Commonwealth Government initiative offering opportunities for young people aged 17-20 to participate in environmental and heritage projects in their local communities.

In announcing the project, Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Darrell White, said work would begin in early July 2004 and would involve ten young people and a team leader.

"They will be working for six months to environmentally enhance and link together walking tracks in sections of Mathison Park, Eel Hole Creek behind the Monash University Gippsland Campus student residences, and the Glendonald Estate," Cr White explained.

"The result will be a connecting corridor that encourages pedestrian and bicycle recreational use, provides an enhanced environment for Churchill, and creates local partnerships and sense of community," Cr White said.

"This is also an exciting opportunity for the young people involved in undertaking the work, empowering the participants to gain a wide range of new skills which will ultimately improve their confidence, provide them with further job skills and provide them with an opportunity to take on further study," Cr White said.

"Latrobe City Youth Services will be assisting to facilitate the project in partnership with a number of other organisations including Landcare and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority," Cr White added.

Project facilitator, Youth Services Officer, Jane Coolidge, said the potential for helping young people hone in on employment prospects was substantial. "We believe a great sense of pride will be generated among those taking part in the project that will help instil self-confidence and a sense of achievement," Ms Coolidge said.

"The young people taking part will be able to identify areas of their work they enjoy such as landscaping or nursery work, and we will then try and link them with employers in those fields, and foster work experience opportunities. That hands-on experience and the building of employer-employee relationships can make a great difference to a young person eventually gaining sustainable and ongoing employment," Ms Coolidge said.

Councillor Bob Smith said the areas where the work is being undertaken were already utilised by the Churchill community to a large extent and would involve community consultation and participation.

"The project brings together three community committees who already participate in the development of these areas; the Mathison Park Development Committee, Landcare Morwell and Churchill, and the Churchill and District Association; and it links their existing work together in a physical sense as well as a cooperative sense through the Green Corps project.

"The project builds on the existing accessibility and amenity already in place, by improving the natural landscapes with locally native plants, and increasing the user-friendly aspects with linking pathways, new seating and a shaded area," Cr Smith explained.

"The project will involve the committees and young people in walking track repair and extension, weed identification and control, soil erosion control, site preparation, planting, and design and installation of interpretive signs.

"Added to this is a strong component of education for the participants such as employment skills training, investigating local employment opportunities, plant identification, and learning and research regarding the indigenous heritage of the area.

"It’s a real win-win situation for everyone involved," Cr Smith concluded.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Free green waste disposal helps East Gippsland residents prepare properties for upcoming bushfire season from 1 to 30 November 2026
  East Gippsland residents can dispose of eligible green waste free throughout November to reduce bushfire risks. Council also encourages safe gas bottle disposal and separating green waste from general rubbish to save fees.
• Latrobe City pushes for fair community benefits, transparent water pricing and long-term investment as Yallourn Mine rehabilitation progresses
  Latrobe City Council has urged fair community reinvestment, transparent water pricing and long-term funding certainty as EnergyAustralia seeks water entitlement for Yallourn Mine rehabilitation.
• Wellington Shire no-fee green waste disposal returns to support community preparedness on 17 October to 15 November 2026
  Wellington Shire free green waste disposal program returns October 17, helping residents reduce bushfire risks before summer, with extended access available at Loch Sport until November 30.
• Bass Coast offers free green waste disposal from 31 October to 22 November to help residents prepare for bushfire season
  Bass Coast Shire Council will accept domestic green waste free at its four waste facilities from 31 October to 22 November 2026, helping residents reduce bushfire hazards before summer.
• Carran Carran restoration project strengthens river health, habitat connectivity and flood resilience across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland CMA's long-term Carran Carran restoration project is improving river health, reducing flood-related avulsion risks, restoring habitat connectivity, controlling willows and supporting native fish, agriculture and communities.
• Tarwin River partnership launches six projects for catchment restoration and community stewardship across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland CMA has launched Together for the Tarwin, funding six projects over 18 months to restore wetlands, waterways and habitats while strengthening community stewardship across the Tarwin catchment.
• Victoria funds hundreds of landcare projects with $3.58M environmental investment across communities and regions
  Victoria’s 2026 Landcare Grants provide $3.58 million statewide, including $337,250 for West Gippsland projects restoring habitat, waterways and landscapes while supporting volunteers, families and young people.
• Gippsland Water reports progress on major projects, renewable energy and community engagement commitments
  Gippsland Water’s 2026 Community Report highlights progress on major infrastructure projects, achieving 100 per cent renewable energy, emergency support initiatives and increased community engagement through its Sounding Board.
• Bass Coast Council’s 2025–26 Annual Report highlights major projects, community achievements and strong financial performance across the region
  Bass Coast Council’s 2025–26 Annual Report highlights major projects, community events, environmental initiatives and financial achievements, including new trails, bike facilities and more than 369,000 native plants.
• Latrobe City Council seeks experienced artists to create vibrant community-inspired mural at Churchill Monash way underpass
  Latrobe City Council invites experienced mural artists to transform Churchill’s Monash Way underpass with community-inspired artwork. Expressions of Interest close 6 November 2026, with completion planned for early 2027.
• East Gippsland Landcare Groups secure funding for environmental projects and community conservation across the region
  East Gippsland Landcare groups received 22 project and 11 support grants under the 2026 Victorian program, funding habitat restoration, weed management, biodiversity, education and volunteer activities.
• South Gippsland Council highlights Seniors Festival 2026, road safety projects, community initiatives and other updates across shire
  South Gippsland Shire Council highlights Seniors Festival events, $2.849 million in road safety funding, a new Nyora public toilet, resilience initiatives, community programs and feedback opportunities across the region.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges community advocacy for major projects ahead of Victorian state election
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging residents to support advocacy for the Rokeby to Noojee Trail Extension and urgent Warragul-Drouin intersection upgrades ahead of the Victorian state election.
• South Gippsland Council awards $122,959 to support 20 community organisations, local projects and other updates on council programs
  South Gippsland Council has awarded $122,959 to 20 groups, while promoting local projects, bridge repairs, weed management, hard waste collections and community programs.
• Celebrate the Lakes event highlighting Gippsland Lakes diversity and environmental projects protecting vital local ecosystems
  The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority will host Celebrate the Lakes at Eagle Point, showcasing Gippsland Lakes biodiversity, environmental projects and community efforts protecting local waterways, wetlands and wildlife.
• Victorian Landcare grants deliver $337,250 to support 40 community environmental projects across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland has received $337,250 through the 2026 Victorian Landcare Grants for 22 environmental projects and 18 support grants, backing koala habitat restoration, Tarwin River revegetation and community nature education initiatives.
• East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth thanks community members, reflects on achievements and highlights upcoming projects in final annual mayoral column
  East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth thanks residents for their contributions, highlights upcoming projects and community celebrations, and encourages feedback on the Bairnsdale 2050 Strategy before concluding her annual mayoral column.
• Gippsland Line set for longer trains and more seats under Nationals-Liberals plan to tackle peak-period overcrowding
  The Nationals and Liberals have pledged five additional VLocity sets, adding 1,110 seats on Gippsland services to reduce overcrowding and improve peak-period travel for passengers.
• Australia Day Awards nominations closing soon and other council projects and program updates
  South Gippsland Shire Council shares updates on community awards, infrastructure, citizenship, seniors’ programs, events, grants, jobs, emergency preparedness, and public consultations about local swimming pools and essential community services.
• Martin Cameron seeks government answers over delays threatening Latrobe Magnesium's commercial project and regional investment
  Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost.
• East Gippsland launches disability network to strengthen community input on council projects, services and decisions
  East Gippsland Shire Council has launched the Disability Network, inviting people with disability, carers and organisations to help shape council decisions through accessible online and in-person community engagement.
• Morwell CBD double-storey car park set to deliver more than 120 additional free parking spaces soon
  Preparation works have begun for Morwell’s new double-storey CBD car park, expected to start construction in October, adding more than 120 free spaces and completing Latrobe City’s Regional Car Parks Fund projects.
• Baw Baw Council awards $137,000 in community grants to 35 local groups supporting events, programs, equipment and community projects across the shire
  Baw Baw Shire Council has conditionally awarded more than $137,000 to 35 community groups through its first 2026/27 grants round, supporting local events, projects, equipment and initiatives across the Shire.
• Martin Cameron slams fresh Bank Street traffic light delays as environmental studies push project back again
  The Nationals have criticised the Victorian government after environmental studies and cultural heritage approvals were blamed for fresh delays to long-promised traffic lights at Traralgon Bank Street intersection, despite years of funding.
• East Gippsland property owners receive 2026/27 rates notices as council sets average increase below state cap
  East Gippsland property owners have received 2026/27 rates notices, with Council’s average increase set at 2.5%. Payment options, objections and face-to-face support are available for residents