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Coastline west of Wilsons Promontory no longer considered for offshore wind and more South Gippsland Shire Council updates

South Gippsland Shire Council updates on community projects, programs, events and more.

By news@gippsland - 7th September 2023 - Back to News

Council was represented at last week's Gippsland New Energy Conference by Mayor Nathan Hersey, Chief Executive Officer Kerryn Ellis and staff. Held in Sale, the Conference highlighted the amount of work done to date in the renewable energy space, and the road ahead. In a major announcement made on Thursday 31 August, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, stated that the coastline west of Wilsons Promontory will no longer be considered for the development of offshore wind.

Advocacy efforts succeeded in protecting the coastline from future energy projects, with a continued focus on Barry Beach and Port Anthony for offshore wind support in Gippsland

Renewable energy victory

Council strongly welcomed the announcement and was pleased to hear that council's advocacy efforts from council and residents to exclude the area from the declared renewable energy zone, had been successful. This will ensure our coastline is not impacted by future new energy projects.

Council will continue its work advocating for the use of Barry Beach Marine Terminal and Port Anthony to support offshore wind in Gippsland. For more information about renewable energy, please visit New Energy page.

Hard waste collection

Bookings for the annual hard waste collection service are now open. This provides residents with a convenient way to dispose of hard rubbish, particularly if they are unable to attend a transfer station themselves.

All residents are eligible to receive one collection at a fee of $150 per property. A reduced rate of $53 applies for pension card holders. Bookings close Friday15 September. To book, please visit Hard Waste page.

2024 South Gippsland Australia Day Awards nominations are officially open, providing a platform to recognize the accomplishments of local residents and events

Australia Day Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2024 South Gippsland Australia Day Awards. The awards are the perfect opportunity to highlight the achievements of local South Gippsland residents and events. The award categories are:

• Citizen of the Year
• Young Citizen of the Year
• Community Event of the Year

If you know someone or an event that deserves recognition for the amazing work they do, please nominate them for an award at the Australia Day Awards page. Nominations close Wednesday 8 November 2023.

Rates

South Gippsland Shire residents can expect to receive their annual rates notices in the mail, or online, very soon. Rates notices outline the rate applicable to individual properties and provide information about changes for the upcoming year.

Please watch the above video for an explanation on how rates work and how they benefit our community. If you have questions about your rates notices, please contact council's rates team. Payment plans and assistance is also available. Please visit the Rates page.

Stems from oral histories gathered by the Shrine, featuring Australian Defence Force veterans from recent conflicts, peacekeepers, and conflict-driven migrants to Australia

Coal Creek shrine of remembrance

Coal Creek is proud to host the Shrine of Remembrance, Changed Forever: Legacies of Conflict exhibition. Changed Forever: Legacies of Conflict, interweaves stories of migrants from war-torn countries and recent veterans of overseas service, reflecting the range and depth of experiences of conflict.

The exhibition is based on a collection of oral histories undertaken by the Shrine with Australian Defence Force veterans of recent conflicts and peacekeeping operations, and migrants to Australia who have come here because of conflict.

The exhibition will be on display at Coal Creek until Monday 4 December 2023, and is open to view 10.00am to 4.00pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and seven days a week during school holidays. For more information, please visit Changed Forever: Legacies of Conflict website.

South Gippsland Shire Council invites Expressions of Interest for hosting ArtCubes for at least three months, offering versatile art spaces until 15 October 2023

ArtCube hosting EOI

Would your organisation like to host the ArtCubes in your town? South Gippsland Shire Council is now accepting Expressions of Interest for hosting the ArtCubes for a minimum of three months.

These multi-form art spaces can be used for a range of activities such as housing paintings and sculptures, an events centre, box office and more. Expressions of Interest close 15 October 2023. For more information and to complete an Expression of Interest, please visit ArtCubes page.

Council nears completion of six electric vehicle (EV) fast charger installations, funded by federal and state governments, benefitting multiple towns

Electric vehicle chargers

South Gippsland Shire Council is in the final stages of installing six electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers across the region. Funded by the Federal and State Government, the EV chargers will offer public EV charging to:

• Korumburra
• Leongatha
• Foster
• Mirboo North
• Meeniyan
• Yanakie

A charger in Leongatha located outside of the council offices is expected to be operational later this month.

Upcoming events

Spring brings vibrant blooms, enhancing a historic stroll. If your weekend plans are open, explore Coal Creek Community Park and Museum

Coal Creek Community Park and Museum Markets

Head down to Coal Creek this Saturday for a day full of fun. The regular monthly farmers markets will be taking place, plus a bunch more:

• An experienced blacksmith will be working in the forging shed from 10.00am to 4.00pm
• The General store will be open for the first time since pre-COVID
• The Anzac and Mine Museum rooms will be open
• Two guided tours will be running for an hour, from 11.00am and 1.30pm

The spring season has welcomed many beautiful blooms making for a picturesque stroll whilst taking in a slice of history. If your calendar is looking empty this weekend and you're looking for something to do, the doors at Coal Creek Community Park and Museum are open.

Join us for the 65th Daffodil and Floral Show, running from September 7 to September 9 at Leongatha Memorial Hall. Celebrate spring's beauty with daffodils and more!

65th Daffodil Festival

The 65th Daffodil and Floral Show will be held from Wednesday 7 September to Saturday 9 September. To mark the beginning of spring, Leongatha Memorial Hall will be hosting a spectacular display of daffodils, camellias, native Australian plants, floral art and photography.

Be sure to pencil in this spring event as it is not something you will want to miss. For more information please visit Daffodil Festival page.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Courses

Youth Live4Life are hosting two free courses for parents, carers, teachers and anyone over the age of 18 years connected with young people.
The course teaches adults how to:

• Identify the signs and symptoms of developing mental health problems in a young person.
• Have a conversation with them when they are in distress or crisis.
• Support them in receiving help.

Where and when:

• San Remo, 5 - 6 September
• Wonthaggi, 3 - 4 October

Ensure you don't miss out by registering your participation at Youth Live4Life page.

I love leftovers challenge

See how much food, time and money you can save with Sustainability Victoria's, I Love Leftovers Challenge! Sign-ups close this Saturday 9 September.

By signing up, you'll get a weekly email packed with smart tips to reduce food waste at home, plus special recipes (created by best-selling cookbook author Julia Busuttil Nishimura) to help make delicious dishes using things that are already in your kitchen. For more information and to sign up, please visit I Love Leftovers website.

Go Girls Golf Day

Join the Go Girls Foundation for a day of golf at the Foster Golf Club. The charity golf day aims to honour, empower and celebrate women from all walks of life.

Bring your group of two or four, or let the organisers tee you up with another golfer. For more information and to purchase a ticket to the event, please visit Go Girls Golf Day page.

Join us for a lively morning of entertainment with Melissa Langton in "What the World Needs Now," uniting seniors in Gippsland

What the World Needs Now, Seniors Festival

Seniors across Latrobe, South Gippsland and Baw Baw Shires, are invited to a Combined Gippsland Country Concert, to bring the region together for a morning of great entertainment. Melissa Langton stars in What the World Needs Now, a joyous, foot stomping, hand clapping celebration of the swinging sixties.

Each ticket provides a seat on a bus travelling to and from the venue in Traralgon, and entry to the festival. Buses will be collecting patrons from Korumburra, Leongatha, Mirboo North and Foster. To book a ticket, please visit Seniors Festival page.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Latrobe City Council seeks community feedback on draft 10-year Nature Plan to protect local biodiversity until 31 August 2026
  Latrobe City Council is seeking community feedback on its draft 10-year Nature Plan, outlining priorities to protect biodiversity, restore landscapes and engage residents. Public submissions close on 31 August 2026.
• Working together to secure East Gippsland's water future through integrated water management
  East Gippsland CMA and regional partners are collaborating through Integrated Water Management to address climate, flooding, population growth, stormwater, recycled water and wetland protection challenges while planning sustainable projects.
• Latrobe City Council endorses updated community amenity local law following extensive community consultation
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed an updated Community Amenity Local Law, strengthening rules around property upkeep, waste, animals, burning, vehicles, public spaces and permits.
• Latrobe City Council pushes for jobs, investment, housing and community safety during Victorian Parliament delegation
  Latrobe City Council has urged Victorian leaders to back jobs, housing, investment, community safety, energy transition projects and infrastructure to strengthen long-term regional economic growth.
• Latrobe City Council ranks among Victoria's Top Five for Community Satisfaction in 2026 Snap Send Solve index
  Latrobe City Council has ranked fifth in Victoria for community satisfaction, scoring 64.6 in the 2026 Snap Send Solve Index, exceeding both national and Victorian averages.
• Latrobe Council urges Premier Carroll to fast-track investment, industry growth and secure future jobs in Valley
  Latrobe City Council has urged newly appointed Premier Ben Carroll to meet urgently on economic diversification, investment and job creation as the region faces energy transition, manufacturing job losses and Yallourn 2028 closure.
• The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses.
• Latrobe City Council will push six reforms addressing regional investment, housing, infrastructure, funding fairness and sustainability at MAV State Council
  Latrobe City Council will take six reform proposals to the MAV State Council, targeting fairer funding, housing, planning, investment, infrastructure and support for regional communities.
• 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.
• Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to include the region among Victoria's three free dental clinic locations
  Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to select Latrobe City for a free regional dental clinic, improving affordable healthcare access and reducing cost-of-living pressures.
• Latrobe City Council records strongest planning performance, leads Victoria in statutory decision timeframes
  Latrobe City Council has achieved its strongest planning performance, with 95.44 percent of applications decided within statutory timeframes following streamlined delegation reforms introduced in May 2025.
• Trafalgar BMX track upgraded for safer, faster and more enjoyable riding experiences for local riders
  Trafalgar BMX track has reopened following a $26,000 upgrade, featuring reshaped jumps, straights and berms, improved drainage and enhanced safety. Council says the works will support active recreation and the growing local BMX community.
• Darren Chester joined Wellington Shire representatives to welcome 57 new citizens at The Wedge ceremony
  Wellington Shire welcomed 57 new Australian citizens at The Wedge, with Federal Member Darren Chester and council representatives celebrating their milestone and contributions to Gippsland communities.
• Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
  The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment.
• Latrobe City Council schedules 40 kilometres of road upgrades across municipality
  Latrobe City Council will resurface 40 kilometres of local roads during 2026/27, including resealing and asphalt works across six communities to improve safety, extend road life and prevent potholes.
• 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.
• The Nationals pledge weekly rubbish collection for Gippsland households to ease costs and improve waste services
  The Nationals have pledged weekly general rubbish collections across Gippsland, promising to review landfill levies and waste charges to reduce costs and ease pressure on families.
• Paynesville Council seeks $4M for intersection upgrades to unlock 1,400 new homes
  Paynesville's $4 million intersection upgrade proposal aims to improve road safety, ease congestion and unlock around 1,400 new homes in the town's growth area.
• 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.
• Darren Chester releases 2026 Age Pension Guide to help older Gippslanders navigate retirement support and services
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has released his 2026 Age Pension Guide, providing older Gippslanders, pensioners, carers and families with information about pensions, concessions, aged care and government services.
• Rob Moffatt officially joins Latrobe City Council as Morwell River Ward's newly elected councillor after by-election and oath of office
  Latrobe City Council has welcomed Rob Moffatt as Morwell River Ward's newly elected councillor. He formally commenced after taking his oath, joining the nine-member council for the remainder of its current term.
• Howitt Park pedestrian bridge replacement begins, delivering safer and more accessible Clifton Creek crossing by December
  Work begins this month to replace Howitt Park's ageing timber pedestrian bridge with a $652,420 accessible steel and concrete crossing, improving safety and accessibility before expected completion in December.
• 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.
• Darren Chester joins Annabel Crabb for locally sourced Gippsland feast on ABC's Kitchen Cabinet series
  Darren Chester will feature on ABC's Kitchen Cabinet with Annabel Crabb, showcasing Gippsland produce and locally sourced food when the episode airs August 25.
• Swooping season returns across Latrobe, with council urging residents to take precautions around nesting birds
  Latrobe City Council is urging residents to stay alert during swooping season, avoid nesting areas where possible, check Victoria’s Swooping Bird Map and take precautions when walking outdoors.