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Help To Grow Local EventsBass Coast Shire Council meets up to create strategic plan to attract events to Bass Coast. By Portal Admin - 8th June 2019 - Back to News Bass Coast Shire Council is working with local community groups to create events that help grow off-peak visitation to the Shire.
In 2018, Council appointed the Tilma Group to develop a Strategy to attract events to Bass Coast, to help bring people to the region during the off-peak season.
Some of the key outcomes of this Strategy included growing existing events and moving them into the off-peak season and upskilling community event organisers to grow their existing events.
Council was successful in obtaining a $15,000 grant from Regional Development Victoria as part of the Stronger Regional Communities Program to conduct workshops with local groups to help them grow their events.
Linda Tillman from the Tilma Group was engaged to develop and run the workshops.
A day-long workshop was held in March 2019, which covered modules such as planning for long term sustainability, event finances and grant funding and marketing for success. Over 20 people attended the workshop, representing 15 events and organisations.
Following the workshop, the organisers of three existing Bass Coast events are now participating in a series of intensive sessions with Linda, to help them create regional off-peak events.
These events are the Wonthaggi Street Festival held in April, the Phillip Island Whale Festival held in July and the San Remo Fishing Festival which takes place in September. Usually held in March, the Fishing Festival was moved in 2018, to become an off-peak event.
Dee Connell from the Wonthaggi Street Festival committee said that the intensive sessions were helping the group to develop a long-term strategic plan for their event.
She said the committee would like to take the event to the next level and that the advice they are receiving through the sessions will help them do just that.
"The community has really got behind the event in its first three years, but we don’t want to become just another event on the calendar. We want a point of difference, which we aim to identify in our strategic plan," Ms Connell said.
"If we get bigger, we will need more people and more funding, so these sessions are also helping us to find out what resources are out there and how we can make use of them."
Another workshop will be conducted later in the year for all event organisers, to review the learnings of the three event committees that are receiving intensive support.
For more information, contact Council’s Events, Economic Development and Tourism Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211 or email basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au.
members of the Wonthaggi Street Festival committee Kelly Hamilton, Vicki Earl, Emma Demunk and Dee Connell pictured with Council’s Coordinator Events, Economic Development and Tourism Frank Angarane, during a session with Linda Tillman recently.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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East Gippsland Council has introduced Payble, a free, secure online service allowing ratepayers to automate payments, choose flexible schedules, check balances and manage rates conveniently. - 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. - East Gippsland Council advocates National Sovereign Wealth Fund to deliver long-term regional benefits from resource revenues
East Gippsland Council will advocate for a national Sovereign Wealth Fund funded by resource revenues, supporting long-term regional investment, infrastructure, resilience and intergenerational benefits while reducing reliance on competitive grants. - Australia Day Awards nominations closing soon and other council projects and program updates
South Gippsland Shire Council shares updates on community awards, infrastructure, citizenship, seniors’ programs, events, grants, jobs, emergency preparedness, and public consultations about local swimming pools and essential community services. - 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. - East Gippsland Council endorses public toilet review to improve cleanliness, safety and maintenance across 88 facilities
East Gippsland Council has endorsed a strategy to improve management of 88 public toilets, prioritising cleanliness, safety and maintenance through community feedback, targeted cleaning and better monitoring, with no facility closures proposed. - Supercars Championship returns to Phillip Island in 2027 following Victorian government multi-year contract announcement
Bass Coast Shire Council has welcomed the Supercars Championship return to Phillip Island in 2027 under a Victorian Government multi-year contract, supporting regional tourism and economic transition following MotoGP and World Superbikes departures. - Cowes Freedom of Entry Parade marks 125 years of Australia's Commonwealth Naval Forces and naval service tradition parade on 7 August 2026
Bass Coast Shire Council invites the community to Cowes' Freedom of Entry Parade on August 7, celebrating 125 years of Australia's naval heritage with HMAS Cape Woolamai personnel and the Royal Australian Navy Band. - State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre in Wonthaggi receives major flooring upgrade, enhancing accessibility, creativity and community connection
Living Local Regional Fund support has upgraded Bass Coast’s historic State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre, improving safety and accessibility while strengthening community programs, creativity, wellbeing, fitness and social connection. - Gippsland Water customers invited to complete annual satisfaction survey for chance to win $100 bill credits and help improve services
Gippsland Water customers can complete the annual satisfaction survey from October 1 to 27, sharing feedback to improve services and entering a draw for $100 bill credits. - Latrobe City encourages community conversations and support during Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2026
Latrobe City Council will host free events from 24 to 31 October for Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2026, helping residents recognise gambling harm, explore support services and start conversations with family, friends and neighbours. - 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. - 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. - Nicholson Street Mall safety works begin as council plans longer-term redevelopment and community consultation for future improvements
Works at Nicholson Street Mall will improve safety and amenity, including relocating the taxi rank and removing outdated infrastructure, while Council develops longer-term redevelopment plans and community consultation. - East Gippsland planning roadshow brings expert advice to Mallacoota residents, improving access to local services
East Gippsland Shire Council's Planning Roadshow will visit Mallacoota on August 17, offering residents face-to-face planning advice, permit guidance and access to the new AI-powered myLot planning tool. - Paynesville Maritime Precinct officially opens following $13M investment to boost boating, tourism, jobs and local business growth
Paynesville’s $13 million Slip Road Maritime Precinct officially opened, delivering improved waterfront access, jetties and boating facilities to boost tourism, local businesses, jobs and Gippsland Lakes recreation. - East Gippsland launches disability network to strengthen community input on council projects, services and decisions
East Gippsland Shire Council has launched the Disability Network, inviting people with disability, carers and organisations to help shape council decisions through accessible online and in-person community engagement. - Australia Post invests in Morwell parcel facility, boosting Latrobe City jobs, economic diversification and future growth opportunities
Australia Post has begun construction of a 10,000-square-metre parcel facility in Morwell, consolidating regional operations, supporting local jobs and strengthening Latrobe City’s economic diversification and investment opportunities. - 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. - Latrobe City ratepayers to receive 2026/27 notices as council outlines $90.4M works program
Latrobe City ratepayers will receive 2026/27 rates notices from late August, helping fund $90.4 million in capital works, essential services and community assets across the municipality. - Statement from CEO Tilla Buden - Councillor Ben Lucas to contest Victorian state election
West Ward Councillor Ben Lucas will contest the Victorian State Election on 28 November 2026. He plans to seek leave from Council, with administrative arrangements underway to ensure Council operations and procedures continue during his absence. - East Gippsland targets Canberra visitors in new Spring Tourism Campaign, destination marketing and supporting local businesses
East Gippsland Shire Council has launched a Canberra-focused spring tourism campaign, testing evidence-led marketing strategies while attracting shoulder-season visitors and supporting local businesses through targeted promotion. - 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.
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