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Feedback wanted on Coal Creek Historical Park and other updates from South Gippsland Shire Council

South Gippsland Shire Council project and program updates.

By news@gippsland - 5th January 2024 - Back to News

Wishing you a joyful New Year from South Gippsland Shire Council. May the year bring prosperity, good health and success to you and your family. We are grateful for the collaboration and support that makes our community strong. Together, let's continue working together to guide us towards a brighter future for South Gippsland.

Draft revised based on community feedback: vegetation rule adjusted, bin retrieval clause removed, and clarification on roadside trading permits

General local law review

You spoke. We've listened. South Gippsland Shire Council would like to thank everyone who reviewed and provided their thoughtful feedback on the first draft of the General Local Law. In total we received 366 submissions which helped to inform the second draft, which is now available for review.

The General Local Law is an important document. Although we would prefer that it never has to be used, there are times when council needs the General Local Law to respond to issues and resolve disputes within our community. Please note:

• The General Local Law is designed to complement, and does not replace, existing laws such as the Country Fire Authority Act and the Victorian Planning Scheme
• There is a provision for council to make exemptions to the clauses if required, depending on the circumstances.

Below we have listed key changes that have been made from the last draft, based on the submissions we received. We are now seeking your feedback once more.

Local law draft 2

The second draft of the General Local Law includes a number of clauses that have been updated as a result of what was heard during the last consultation. These include:

• Changing an excessive vegetation clause to exclude grass or other crops grown for the production of fodder on land greater than 1 acre. This clause generated significant feedback, and council recognised the need for it to be amended
• Updating wording around tree removal on or in a municipal place so that pruning can be undertaken, if required. A safety exemption was also added. This clause helps to protect trees and enables council to respond to vandalism on council trees, including those on nature strips, in parks, and those damaged or removed to allow people a better view from their property. As part of this clause blackberries can still be removed, weeds can be sprayed and trees overhanging fence lines can be pruned
• A change to the dilapidated buildings clause so that the focus is on public safety rather than appearance or character
• Removal of a clause stating domestic bins should be brought in within 24 hours of collection
• Updating a clause around roadside trading to make it clear that while permits are required to display goods for sale in a municipal place/road, they are not required for private property. Permits are required on municipal land to ensure appropriate insurances are in place and there are no safety concerns
• Updated wording around stock crossings to provide clarity. The General Local Law does not require a permit for stock crossings as long as it is undertaken in accordance with the Manual for Traffic Control at a stock crossing. Permits are only required if the manual cannot be complied with or if you are crossing a highway (in which case a Regional Roads permit is required). A permit is also required if permanent signs are to be installed on a council road - this is to ensure road safety and that they meet the relevant signage requirements

The above list is just a summary of some key changes. For a list of all changes, to review the entire second draft of the General Local Law and to leave your feedback, please go to General Local Law website.

Australia Day photo competition

There is still time left to enter your photo of South Gippsland in our 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.

Anyone living in or with a connection to South Gippsland. We also encourage hearing feedback from visitors to our region, those who have visited the Park whether recently or a long time ago

Future of Coal Creek

At the final council meeting for 2023, 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 to get the conversation started.

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 website. Feedback will close Sunday 31 March 2024.

Fire restrictions

Fire Restrictions in South Gippsland began on 18 December 2023. This means that open air burning is not permitted throughout the region 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.

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

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

South Gippsland events

Skateboarding sessions

• Date: 6 January 2024
• Beginners: 2 - 4 pm
• Intermediates: 4 - 6 pm
• Venue: Sandy Point Tennis Courts - Church Parade, Sandy Point, Vic 3959
• Registration: All Aboard sessions website { Register now skatepark.ymca.org.au/all-aboard
• Admission: Free

Summer series 1

• Date:Friday, 2 February 2024
• Time: 5:30 - 10:00 pm
• Venue: Coal Creek Community Park & Museum, Silkstone Road, Korumburra VIC, Australia
• Adult: $25
• Child/18U/conc: $15

Charley Crockett on tour

• Date: 10 February 2024
• Time: 7:00 pm
• Venue: Coal Creek Community Park and Museum

Community grants

South Gippsland Shire Council's second round of Community Grants are now taking applications. Community Grants are an opportunity for council to give back to local clubs and community groups who give so much to others. Grants can be used for both minor and major projects and equipment, planning and developing reports, and festivals and events.

Additionally, to help community groups with their Community Grants application, council is holding an in-person and online information session on Monday 29 January. For more information, to apply for a grant or to register for an information session, please visit Community Grants website. For further assistance, please phone 5662 9200 or email grants@southgippsland.vic.gov.au.

Community funds access

The 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 Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) website.

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 and attract visitors.

Applications are now open with some conditions applying including co-contributions and populations lower than 5,000. To find out more and to apply, please visit Tiny Towns Fund website.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com