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Shop and eat local during Christmas and New Year season and more updates from South Gippsland Council

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By news@gippsland - 15th December 2023 - Back to News

South Gippsland Shire Council would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. As 2023 draws to a close, it's a good time to reflect on the year that has been and the one that is just around the corner. We hope that 2024 is a happy and healthy time for all.

Over the festive season, expect changes in council services. Support local businesses, travel safely, explore South Gippsland. Visit for ideas!

Visit and explore the shire

During the Christmas/New Year period, many council services will be closed or have different operating hours. Please read the section further down in this newsletter as it provides a run down of the services that may be impacted.

Please remember to shop and eat local where possible and travel safely within South Gippsland and abroad. For ideas on things to see and do in our region, please visit Visit South Gippsland website.

Photo competition

South Gippsland Shire Council is once again running the Australia Day Photography Competition. The theme of the competition is Australia Day: South Gippsland - Our people and places. Images must be taken within South Gippsland Shire or nearby. Submitted images will not be used by council outside of the competition.

The Australia Day Photography Competition is funded by the National Australia Day Council. To find out more about the South Gippsland Australia Day Photography Competition, or to submit an entry, please visit Australia Day Photography Competition website. Entries close Wednesday 17 January 2024. Winners will be announced on Friday 26 January 2024.

December 2023: Council endorses revised local law draft for South Gippsland, integrating community feedback from earlier consultations

Second draft general local law

At Wednesday's council meeting, council endorsed a Second Draft General Local Law for community feedback. The draft was developed based on two rounds of community consultation which took place via pop-up events and online surveys conducted throughout the year.

The second draft includes a number of clauses that have been updated as a result of what was heard from our community. Everyone is encouraged to read through the second draft and provide thoughtful feedback at Your Say South Gippsland website. Feedback closes on Monday 15 January 2024.

Engage with us! Share thoughts, opinions. Your input shapes decisions. Read the Discussion Paper before sharing feedback, which is closing on 22 January 2024

Future of Coal Creek

At Wednesday's council meeting, the Coal Creek Discussion Paper was endorsed for community feedback. The Discussion Paper outlines the Parks current situation, including key issues, strategic planning and proposes potential options for the future of the community facility.

Community consultation is scheduled to open Monday 22 January 2024. In the meantime, we invite everyone to read the Discussion Paper at Your Say South Gippsland page. Feedback will close Sunday 31 March 2024.

"Stories of South Gippsland" by Visit South Gippsland aims to attract visitors, enhance our region's appeal, and drive economic growth

Stories of South Gippsland

Stories of South Gippsland is a Visit South Gippsland tourism piece that will elevate the profile of our region as a unique destination, turbocharge visitation and boost the South Gippsland's economy.

The tourism video is a creative concept directly addressing visitors' key travel desires and positions our region as a wondrous, otherworldly, dreamlike and aspirational destination to visit. Check out the new tourism video and tell all of your family and friends to Visit South Gippsland.

Green waste amnesty period

Council's annual Green Waste Amnesty period runs until 31 December 2023. Residents can dispose of their green waste for free at any of council's transfer stations until the end of the amnesty period.

The amnesty aims to encourage residents to prepare their properties for the fire season by removing potential fire hazards. To view the list of excluded plant species and find your closest transfer station, please go to Green Waste Amnesty Period page.

Fire restrictions

Fire Restrictions in South Gippsland will begin 18 December 2023. This means that open air burning is not permitted throughout the region from this time and applications for burn permits cannot be accepted. To read about what you can and cannot do when fire restrictions are in place, please visit Fire and Warning Restrictions website.

BikeSpot

BikeSpot is a map that allows every Australian to say where they feel safe or unsafe while riding their bike. The data generated from the project will be made publicly available to help ensure BikeSpot insights have the biggest impact possible in making cycling safe for everyone. BikeSpot is only open for a limited time, so go to BikeSpot page and add your spot to the map.

Things to know

Free Rapid Antigen Tests

Free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are available for community members to collect at the following locations:

• Foster Library - 9 Main Street, Foster
• Poowong Library - 18 Ranceby Road, Poowong
• Mirboo North Library - 2 Brennan Street, Mirboo North
• Korumburra Library - 15 Little Commercial Street, Korumburra
• Leongatha Library - 2 Smith Street, Leongatha

Free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are available for community members to collect, with various dates and locations

EV Charging Stations

South Gippsland Shire Council is installing six electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers across the municipality. These chargers offer public EV charging for visitors and locals alike, and will facilitate increased visitation to the region, by providing crucial charging opportunities for the rapidly-growing EV market. The locations are:

• Leongatha: At 9 Smith St, in the car park between council's Main Office and Woolworths
• Korumburra: At the railway precinct car park, just off Bridge St
• Foster: Just off Station Rd, in the car park behind the Uniting Church and shops
• Mirboo North: Baromi Park car park, corner Ridgway and Baths Rd
• Meeniyan: Tompkins Rd car park, behind the shops
• Yanakie: On the road reserve, in front of public toilet / playground

The Leongatha and Yanakie chargers are currently operational, with the others to follow during December 2023. For more information, please visit EV Charging Station website.

Explore diverse summer events: markets, shows, and more across the region. Enjoy family-friendly or serene experiences - something for everyone!

Summer activities

Check out the many markets, events, shows and more happening throughout the region this summer. Whether you're looking for family fun or a relaxing time by yourself, our region has a little something for everyone. So, check out all the summer happenings at Visit South Gippsland website.

Supporting small remote communities: Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal offers funds for diverse initiatives benefiting local areas across Australia

Funding opportunities

Foundation for Rural Region Renewal (FRRR)

Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly benefit local communities. The following grants are currently open for application:

Strengthening Rural Communities - Rebuilding Regional Communities - The Australian Government has partnered with FRRR to distribute $5 million from 2022 to 2024 to support community-led initiatives. The objectives of the program are to:

• Enhance the process of recovery of remote, rural and regional communities from the COVID-19 pandemic
• Reduce social isolation and foster stronger, more resilient remote, rural and regional communities
• Sustain local remote, rural and regional organisations and their work

Strengthening Rural Communities - Small & Vital: Grants up to $10,000 are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions, with a preference for smaller communities (populations under 15,000). For more information, to submit an application, or to check out other funding opportunities, please visit FRRR website.

From barbecues to community centres, the Tiny Towns Fund will back community-driven projects that enhance our smallest towns, strengthen community connections and encourage more visitors to all corners of Victoria

Tiny Towns Fund

Have you checked out the Tiny Towns Fund yet? From hiking trails, splash parks, and community hall upgrades to gallery fit outs, communities can apply for funding to support a range of projects that will make locals even prouder to call their town home.

Applications are open for the Victorian government's new fund, supporting projects for small communities with up to 5,000 people. To find out more and to apply, please visit Tiny Towns Fund website.

Get active kids voucher program

Round seven of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program is now open! Eligible families can apply for a $200 voucher and use them at their registered Get Active Kids Voucher Activity Provider without having to worry about upfront costs. These vouchers can help pay for sporting equipment, uniforms and even memberships for a range of activities like cricket and dance.

The program is open to children aged between 0 and 18 years. Get in quick as applications close when the voucher allocation has been exhausted. For more information and to apply, please visit Get Active Kid Voucher Program page.

Christmas closure dates

South Gippsland Shire Council offices will be closed from 3.00pm Thursday 21 December 2023 and will reopen Tuesday 2 January 2024 at 10.00am. Phone services will be available until 5.00pm Friday 22 December and recommence on Tuesday 2 January 2024 at 8.30am. Council's after hours service will be operational throughout the closure period on 5662 9200.

Bin Collections

Properties scheduled to have their kerbside bins emptied on Christmas Day will be serviced on Tuesday 26 December instead. This affects:

• Buffalo
• Fish Creek
• Pound Creek
• Stony Creek
• Yanakie
• Tarwin Lower
• Waratah Bay
• Sandy Point
• Venus Bay
• Walkerville

Visitor Information Centre, Foster - 7 days a week, 10.00am to 4.00pm. Closed Christmas Day. Phone 1800 630 704

Coal Creek - 7 days a week, 10.00am to 4.00pm. Last entry 3.30pm. Closed Christmas Day

South Gippsland Citizens Advice Bureau and Visitor Information, Memorial Hall Leongatha - Closed 24 to 26 December and 31 December and New Year's Day. Closed Sundays. Open with variable hours outside those days. Phone 5662 2111

Maternal and Child Health - Centres are open (except for public holidays) but limited to Key Ages and Stages (KAS) checks. Appointments required. For support, call 13 22 29. Council and community playgroups do not run during school holidays. Go to Playgroup Victoria website to find contact details for your local playgroup.

Public Immunisation - Sessions will not be held in January but will recommence Tuesday 6 February 2024. Got to South Gippsland Immunisation page.

Waste Management - All transfer stations and the Koonwarra landfill are also closed on Christmas Day. Operate as scheduled all other times. Opening hours are displayed at sites and on South Gippsland website.

Snap Send Solve

Spotted a dangerous pothole? Or maybe some broken playground equipment? Get it fixed quickly and easily using Snap Send Solve. It's free! Download an app to your phone or report it below.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website, Regional Development Victoria website and Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com