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South Gippsland Coastal Strategy Engagement Report and other council projects updates

South Gippsland Shire Council report and updates on events, current and completed projects and other programs.

By news@gippsland - 21st September 2023 - Back to News

The South Gippsland Coastal Strategy was adopted at this month's council meeting. The Coastal Strategy has been implemented to provide strategic direction for our coastal areas and help guide sustainable land use and development.

The Coastal Strategy process unfolded in two stages: the initial Discussion Paper proposed actions, while the subsequent draft Coastal Strategy incorporated first-round feedback and Discussion Paper elements

Coastal strategy report

It covers the following topics:

• Population pressure and development
• Environment and landscape
• Development and infrastructure land management
• Community and economy

The document is vital for our coastal communities as it helps us to understand, and plan for future challenges such as, increasing demand for residential and commercial development in coastal areas, climate change risks, and ageing infrastructure.

This strategy has been informed and developed through two rounds of extensive community consultation; around 800 people provided comments and submissions which aided in identifying issues and opportunities faced by our coastal areas. Council acknowledges that this document could not have been developed without community feedback and are thankful for the opportunity to produce this plan for our region. To read South Gippsland Shire Council's Coastal Strategy, please visit Coastal Strategy report.

South Gippsland Shire Council improved multiple sports facilities, addressing the needs of local sports groups

Loch District Bowling Club

Over the past 12 months, South Gippsland Shire Council has upgraded a number of sporting facilities to support the requirements of our local sporting groups. The sporting facilities were officially opened by Tom McIntosh Member of Eastern Victorian Region, Mayor Nathan Hersey, South Gippsland Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Kerryn Ellis and Sue Loughridge Secretary of the Loch District Bowling Club. The sporting facilities include:

• John Terrill Park Recreation Reserve (Fish Creek) Oval Lighting Upgrade
• Foster Showgrounds Electronic Scoreboard
• Foster Showgrounds Oval Upgrade and Irrigation
• Korumburra Recreation Reserve Lighting Upgrade
• Loch Bowls Club Synthetic Green Installation
• Meeniyan Recreation Reserve Goal Posts replacement
• Meeniyan Recreation Reserve Lighting Upgrade
• Toora Recreation Reserve Lighting Upgrade
• Walter J Tuck (Mirboo North) Recreation Reserve Lighting Upgrade

Citizenship ceremony

South Gippsland's newest citizens were officially welcomed at a recent Citizenship Ceremony held at Memorial Hall. The six conferees from Norway, Hong Kong, Philippines and Papua New Guinea formally pledged their commitment to Australia in front of a warm crowd of family and friends.

Six individuals from Norway, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea formally expressed their commitment to Australia in the presence of a supportive audience of family and friends

Our new citizens, hailing from various corners of the globe, stood side by side, representing the growing cultural tapestry of our Shire. Our new citizens include:

• Hege Chapman from Norway
• Vianne Christal Cheng from Hong Kong
• Kristine Rodrigues from Philippines
• Nancy Sam from Papua New Guinea
• Philijay Bain from Papua New Guinea
• Tristan Bain from Papua New Guinea

EV Charger at Leongatha

Leongatha's first electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station is now up and running at 9 Smith Street Leongatha. Funded by the federal and state government, the EV chargers will offer public EV charging across the Shire. The additional charges will be located in Korumburra, Foster, Mirboo North, Meeniyan and Yanakie. Keep your eyes peeled as these charging stations pop up throughout our region.

Korumburra mural project EOI

Council is calling for expressions of interest from suitably qualified visual artists or art collectives to create a mural on the external wall of 42 Commercial Street, Korumburra. The EOI process calls for artists with experience in delivering high quality murals, creating work in response to the set theme, and liaising with stakeholders.

The theme for the mural project is the local community, landscape, flora and fauna. Artists are invited to complete the EOI and will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Capacity to respond to the site and relevant experience to develop a well-considered concept
• Demonstrate capacity to create artwork that is innovative and engaging
• Experience working with various stakeholders

If you are an artist or know of an artist who is capable of fulfilling the art mural project, please visit Art Mural Project page.

Hard waste collection update

Bookings for the annual hard waste collection service have been extended until Friday 22 September. 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. To book, please visit council's Hard Waste page.

Council recently sent notifications to property owners who designated a nominated ratepayer, primarily for industrial and commercial properties

South Gippsland Rates

Rate notices have been delivered. Email notices went out Sunday 2 September from noreply@enotices.com.au. Please check your junk and spam folder for this notice. This week council posted notices to owners elected to have a nominated ratepayer, mainly industrial and commercial properties.

If you have not received your rates notice, please contact council's Rates Team on 5662 9200 or email rates@southgippsland.vic.gov.au to arrange a new copy.

2022 Victorian Premier History Award winner Janet McCalman, author of Vandemonians

Community history awards

The Community History Awards are presented in partnership with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria to celebrate the people and groups involved in history projects that tell local stories which help all Victorians to better understand their heritage. The award categories include:

• Victorian Premier's History Award ($5000)
• Collaborative Community History Award ($2000)
• Local History Project Award ($2000)
• History Publication Award ($2000)
• Small History Publication Award ($1500)
• Small Organisation History Project Award ($1500)
• Community Diversity Award ($1500)
• Digital Storytelling Award ($1500)
• Oral History Award presented in collaboration with Oral History Victoria ($1500)
• History Article Award ($500)
• Judge's Special Prize ($500)

Past winners have included creators of historic walking tours, apps and websites, writers of non-fiction history books, history groups, museums and exhibitors of history-related displays.

Entries close 13 October 2023. For more information or to enter for an opportunity to win one of the Community History Awards, please visit Community History Awards page.

The Victorian Budget 2022-23 has provided support for the new Program, aimed at implementing the Victoria's youth strategy 2022-27, known as "Our Promise, your future"

Sporting club grants program

As part of the Australian government's commitment to make community sports more inclusive and accessible, the latest round of Sporting Club Grants are now open for application. If you are part of a community sporting group in need of funding for equipment, uniforms or even to promote your club, the Victorian government's Sporting Club Grant Program could be for you.

Applications for this round of funding closes Thursday 12 October at 4.00pm. For more information and to apply, please visit Local Sporting Club Funding website.

Small regional presenters fund

Small Regional Presenters is a funding program aimed at supporting regional communities to program and present shows in their areas. The funding is available to both, emerging volunteer small regional presenters, and returning volunteer community presenters.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Small Regional Presenters Project Manager to discuss their application. Funding of up to $15,000 is available per successful applicant. Applications close Monday 30 October at 5.00pm. For more information and to apply, head to Regional Arts Victoria Funding website.

Please join Lisa Johnson, who will be presenting a webinar on Mental Health for Older Australians

Positive ageing series

Lisa Johnson is a registered Clinical Psychologist and Clinic Director of Mind Matters Psychology Gippsland. She brings her clinical experience working in the public and private sectors since 2010, including in community health, forensic settings, primary and secondary schools, university, and private practice settings. Lisa works with individuals across the lifespan (children, adolescents, and adults of all ages) offering psychological therapy and assessments, and also enjoys psychology teaching and training at university level.

Originally from Gippsland, Lisa remains committed to providing psychological services in the region. The online session will be running Tuesday 26 September at 2.00pm. To register, please visit Positive Ageing Webinar.

Youth mental health

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

The event will take place at Wonthaggi, from 3 - 4 October 2023. Ensure you don't miss out by registering your participation at Youth Live4Life page.

Event registration and management

Advertising, registering and keeping track of the numbers attending your events can be difficult, especially if you are juggling multiple events over the year or even all at the one time.

This workshop will empower community groups to use online event management systems to create events management systems to create events, engage their communities and register and manage their attendance with confidence. Here are the event details:

• Saturday 21 October
• 9.30am to 12.00pm
• Leongatha Council Chambers (Meeting Room 1)
• Free Workshop
• Light Lunch Included

For more information and to reserve a spot, please visit Event Management Workshop page.

Advanced grant writing workshop

This workshop is for you if you are actively involved in grant writing for your community group and have experience or have previously participated in a grant writing workshop. Here are the event details:

• Thursday 2 November
• 5.30pm to 8.00pm
• Leongatha Council Chambers (Meeting Room 1)
• Free Workshop
• Light meal Included

For more information and to reserve a spot, please visit Advanced Grant Writing Workshop.

School holiday fun at SPLASH

Looking for some fun over these school holidays? The pool inflatable will be in operation at SPLASH on Thursday 28 September from 1.00pm to 3.00pm. No bookings required.

Please note that all children under 10 must be accompanied into the Centre by a person over the age of 18. Children under 5 must have a guardian within arm's reach in the water at all times. For more information, please visit SPLASH Leongatha Facebook page.

Open studio art trail

Art Connect South Gippsland invites you to explore and discover more of South Gippsland through a range of exhibits, open studios and galleries in towns across South Gippsland. A great opportunity to meet with a range of artists and learn more about their work and artistic processes whilst visiting their gallery spaces.

The Open Studio Art Trail is being held on the following weekends:

• 23 and 24 September
• 30 September and 1 October
• 7 and 8 October
• 14 and 15 October

For more information, click on the attached brochure Art Connect South Gippsland.

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. Thursday 12 October from 11.00am to 12.00pm. To book a ticket, please visit Seniors Festival page.

Garage Sale Trail

South Gippsland Shire Council is thrilled to be supporting the Australian Wide Garage Sale Trail campaign. Being part of the Garage Sale Trail, whether you are selling or purchasing goods, is a great way to save many perfectly good items from ending up in landfill.

Registrations for the garage sales are officially open. So why not sift through the backs of your dusty cupboards and make a few bucks selling off those forgotten goods. You can look for sales across the country using the interactive map and get first dibs of the sales taking place this November. To register your garage sale or check out what sales are happening near you, head to Garage Sale Trail website.

Farm crime survey

Farm crime is significantly impacting our rural communities and farming operations across pastoral, agricultural, and aquaculture sectors. Farm crime includes but is not limited to:

• Theft from a farm (livestock, materials, equipment, produce, etc.)
• Damage/vandalism to farm property
• Illegal dumping of waste
• Trespassing on farm land
• Illegal hunting or fishing

The Centre for Rural Criminology at the University of New England (UNE) is addressing this issue head-on with a comprehensive survey on farm crime in Australia. The insight from our local farmers will play a vital role in these studies, improving the safety and well-being of our rural farming communities. For more information about farm crime and to take part in the survey, please head to Australian Farm Crime Survey.

Breathe Easy Gippsland

Breathe Easy Gippsland is a local campaign which aims to create a healthier, smoke and vape free future for Gippsland. Smoking and vaping both pose serious health concerns, especially for young people. They can affect lung health, brain development and cause addiction. Vaping among youth has surged, increasing the likelihood of tobacco use.

To help inform tobacco and vape prevention initiatives across Gippsland, the Gippsland Region Public Health Unit have developed a community survey that seeks to understand:

• Smoking and vaping habits of Gippslanders
• Community attitudes towards smoking and vaping prevention, including expansion of smoke and vape free areas across communities

The survey is anonymous and open to anyone living and/or working in Gippsland aged 12 and above. Those aged 12 to 15 years will need parental consent to take part. To complete the survey, visit Breathe Easy Gippsland website.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Baw Baw Shire Mayor Danny Goss led a historic journey to Mornington Island, repatriating 37 cultural artefacts to the Lardil People, marking a significant step toward reconciliation and cultural heritage restoration.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - Wednesday 24 September 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council appointed Tilla Buden as CEO, adopted the Domestic Animal Management Plan, awarded Drouin streetscape contract, deferred Alex Goudie Park Master Plan, and endorsed updated delegation guidelines at its 24 September meeting.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - Wednesday 24 September 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council appointed Tilla Buden as CEO, adopted the Domestic Animal Management Plan, awarded Drouin streetscape contract, deferred Alex Goudie Park Master Plan, and endorsed updated delegation guidelines at its 24 September meeting.
• Bass Coast Council launches mid-term review of Climate Change Action Plan, celebrating achievements and inviting community input
  Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing its Climate Change Action Plan 2020-2030, celebrating renewable energy achievements and inviting community feedback through surveys, pop-up sessions, engagement events, and a special film screening.
• Latrobe City Council endorsed applications for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, targeting high-risk crash sites across the shire
  Latrobe City Council has applied for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, proposing safety upgrades at Traralgon, Morwell, and Newborough crash sites. Successful projects will involve community consultation during the design phase.
• Wellington Shire Council to update Community Local Law 2021, ensuring relevance, inclusivity, and strong legal compliance
  The Safer Communities Plan includes Jack's Law to clear weapons from streets, Restart for repeat offenders, and Youthstart to support at-risk youth. Mr Cameron says Labor lacks a plan to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, leaving regions vulnerable.
• Latrobe City Council seeks community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park as lease nears end
  Latrobe City Council is inviting community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park, with the current operator's lease expiring in May 2026 under Crown Land Leasing Policy requirements for open and impartial processes.
• Latrobe City Council endorses submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn declared mine rehabilitation plans
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn mine rehabilitation plans, promoting sustainable restoration, strong coordination, environmental accountability, community benefits, and long-term regional resilience.
• Labor government delivers $2.73M Sale Hospital upgrade, modernising Community Services building for Gippsland healthcare staff
  The Allan Labor government is delivering a $2.73 million upgrade to Sale Hospital's historic Community Services Building, modernising facilities for healthcare workers, patients, and students through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.
• Danny O'Brien warns Labor is risking beachgoers safety by forcing councils, ratepayers to cover LSV funding shortfalls
  Danny O'Brien warns the Allan Labor government is forcing Gippsland councils and ratepayers to cover Life Saving Victoria shortfalls, risking reduced lifeguard patrols despite billions in new emergency services taxes.
• Latrobe City launches investment campaign showcasing strength, innovation, and opportunities across Gippsland
  Latrobe City Council launched an investment campaign showcasing business strength, innovation, and opportunities positioning itself as Gippsland's hub for growth, transformation, and future industries.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• Tim Bull demands end to brumby shooting as pest and weed control programs face cuts
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has urged the state government to scrap its costly brumby shooting program, criticising cuts to pest and weed control services vital for farmers and rural communities.
• Tim Bull slams Labor's cuts to 'Youth Crime Prevention', unveils $100M Safer Communities Plan
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticised Labor's youth crime prevention cuts, promoting The Nationals' $100 million Safer Communities Plan combining tougher laws with prevention programs to improve safety and restore community confidence.
• Tim Bull slams government over firewood shortages, fuel loads and lack of practical solutions
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has slammed government policy for firewood shortages, warning rising bush fuel loads pose serious risks, calling for extended collection areas, longer seasons and practical fire management.
• Tim Bull demands transparency on missing $13.15M for cancelled Marlo to Cape Conran pathway
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has demanded answers on the missing $13.15 million for the cancelled Marlo - Cape Conran pathway, urging funds be redirected locally if the project is abandoned.
• Danny O'Brien condemns Labor for empty social housing amid growing waitlists and rental shortages in Gippsland
  Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for leaving social housing vacant as waitlists grow, citing fewer homes, shrinking rental availability, rising costs, and failed policies driving investment away in Gippsland South.
• Martin Cameron says Labor fails on crime, wasting millions on machete bins instead of protecting Gippsland
  Crime in Latrobe has surged under Labor, with Moe incidents up 26% and retail theft 65%. Nationals' Martin Cameron says only their Safer Communities Plan will restore safety.
• Nationals' $100M Safer Communities Plan targets crime crisis with tough laws and prevention programs across Gippsland
  Martin Cameron backed a $100 million Safer Communities Plan, promising tougher laws and prevention programs to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, restore community safety, and support at-risk youth, contrasting Labor's cuts.
• Baw Baw Shire to host community barbecues supporting farmers through 'Look Over the Farm Gate' grants
  Baw Baw Shire Council will host five community barbecues supporting farmers' wellbeing through Look Over the Farm Gate grants, offering connection, resources, and mental health support amid ongoing dry conditions.
• Forge Theatre's school holiday season brings classic tales, comedy chaos and heartfelt community spirit to East Gippsland
  The Forge Theatre's school holiday season features The Velveteen Rabbit, Polite Mammals, and The Heartbreak Choir, offering family fun, comedy, and heartfelt community spirit with something for everyone to enjoy.