Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Bass Coast Local News

Phillip Island Greencorps Team Graduates

The graduation of the Phillip Island Green Corps team was celebrated recently in a ceremony attended by Bass Coast Shire Councilors

By Carol McCormack - 21st May 2001 - Back to News

The graduation of the Phillip Island Green Corps team was celebrated recently in a ceremony attended by Bass Coast Shire Councilors, the Honorable Peter Reith M.P. Member for Flinders, members from volunteer groups and representatives from various agencies that work with the group.

The graduation day started with an inspection of some of the sites the team had worked on during their training including improvements to foreshore access tracks at the seaward end of McKenzie Road, McHaffie Drive and Cornwall Avenue.

The Phillip Island Project mainly involved working on Council managed foreshores managed. Bass Coast Shire Council provided project coordination and support plus $10,000 for materials.

Bass Coast Shire Council Environmental/Coastal Officer, Mr. Derek Hibbert said that the GreenCorp program on Phillip Island was part a larger plan to improve access, signage and the health of indigenous foreshore plant communities.

The group also undertook minor projects that involved planting on agricultural land with Phillip Island Landcare, collecting indigenous seed with the Barb Martin Bushbank, revegetation at Swan Lake and weed control at Y.C.W. Beach with the Phillip Island Nature Park. The group’s track improvements and landscaping around the historic monument also contributed to the recent Bicentennial celebrations at Rhyll.

By the end of the six month program, the team had planted 3500 indigenous plants, erected one kilometre of fencing, laid gravel over 500 meters of access tracks, collected over 29 kilograms of indigenous seed, propagated approximately 2300 plants, and removed or treated weeds on more than 17 hectares of land.

"The group’s work has been appreciated by a large number of people across the community," said Mr. Hibbert "At the end of the program they can look back and know that they made a real difference."

During the program, the team received formal training in environment and occupation based units including first aid, occupational health and safety, site assessment, park and pathway construction and weed identification. They also participated in several Nature Park interpretation activities, took a ride on the Lady Nelson replica and met the Governor of Victoria, Mr. John Landy.

At the ceremony, Mr. Reith highlighted some of the nationwide achievements since the Federal Government introduced the GreenCorp program in 1999. Mr. Reith also announced that funding would be continued into the future.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: basscoastshire@gippslander.com

• Phillip Island gears up for the return of MotoGP and Marquee October events across Bass Coast
  Phillip Island hosts a huge October of events, headlined by the 2025 MotoGP, drawing 100,000 fans for racing, music, and entertainment, with free Community Day tickets and Cowes transformed into an entertainment hub.
• East Gippsland Shire adopts fairer Raymond Island Ferry pass system, replacing portable passes with vehicle stickers from 2026/27
  East Gippsland Shire Council will replace Raymond Island Ferry portable passes with vehicle stickers by 2026/27, introducing fairer allocations for residents and tenants, with interim free pass improvements effective immediately.
• East Gippsland Council to consider proposed changes to Raymond Island Ferry pass system at September meeting
  East Gippsland Shire Council will consider proposed Raymond Island Ferry pass changes, including extra landowner passes, renter passes, and future consultation, aiming for fairer allocation and improved functionality from 2026/27.
• Gippsland Water launches Community Emergency Support Team to assist and support locals during emergencies
  Gippsland Water has launched a Community Emergency Support Team to provide safe water, information, and local assistance during bushfires, floods, storms, and power outages, working alongside emergency services and communities.
• Bass Coast announces fee-free green waste period to help residents prepare for upcoming fire season
  Bass Coast residents can dispose of domestic green waste for free from 1 - 23 November 2025, helping the community prepare properties and reduce fire hazards ahead of the summer season.
• Wellington Shire Council offers free green waste disposal to help residents reduce fire hazards this season
  Wellington Shire Council is urging property owners, particularly in coastal communities, to prepare for the fire danger period by taking advantage of its Fire Ready No-Fee Green Waste Disposal program.
• Baw Baw Shire Council returns 37 cultural artefacts to Lardil people in historic Mornington Island repatriation
  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.
• Bass Coast Shire Council begins Cowes foreshore upgrades with $8M funding improvements for safer, greener, connected spaces
  Bass Coast Shire Council will soon commence the Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged civil and landscaping upgrades with $8 million federal funding, revitalising Cowes into a safer, greener and more connected destination.
• Vegas Fitzmaurice exhibition at Cowes Berninneit Art Gallery from 1 November to 6 December 2025
  Berninneit Art Gallery presents Millowl - A Mother's Element by Vegas Fitzmaurice, a heartfelt tribute to motherhood, nature, and Phillip Island's elemental beauty. Exhibition runs 1 Nov - 6 Dec 2025.
• West Gippsland Landcare awarded $337,250 to transform landscapes, protect species, and enhance community green spaces statewide
  West Gippsland Landcare volunteers received $337,250 from 2025 Victorian Landcare Grants to restore landscapes, protect endangered species, enhance waterways, plant 30,000 trees, and engage communities in conservation projects.