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Palmers Road Enquiry CompletedThe long awaited Auditor-General’s Report into the attempted sale by Council of land and buildings at 55 Palmers Road, Lakes Entrance, was tabled in State Parliament today. By East Gippsland Shire Council - 20th July 2005 - Back to News The report follows an investigation into the matter that was initiated by the East Gippsland Shire’s Audit Committee, supported by Council and took more than 12 months to complete.
It deals with the attempts made between 1997 and 2002 by previous Councils to sell the Palmers Road property and which culminated in Supreme Court action being taken to stop the sale.
The Shire reached a settlement of the matter in October 2003.
In his report the Auditor General highlights a number of deficiencies in the handling of the attempted sale and offers suggestions that could be taken up by local government generally.
Shire CEO Steve Kozlowski said the Auditor General has wide-ranging powers of investigation as well as the ability to refer any matter to other agencies where warranted.
"However, in this case the Auditor General has `made no such recommendation," he said.
"The enquiry was quite complicated and involved the research of documentation dating back to the late 1990’s as well as interviews with people who are no longer connected with the Shire. "
Mr Kozlowski said on the basis that all those involved with the inquiry have had reasonable opportunity to provide information and clarify issues raised by the Auditor General, the Shire has accepted the factual correctness made in the report as well as its findings and conclusions.
"Several of the points made in the Auditor General’s report are lessons to be learned for local government generally," he said.
Mr Kozlowski said the Auditor General has also recommended to Parliament that the current state government policy and instructions for the purchase, compulsory acquisition and sale of land be applied to local government.
"The Shire would welcome the opportunity for this to be discussed with local government on a state-wide basis," he said.
Mayor Cr Jane Rowe said it had been a full and independent investigation that identified what happened and what could be done to avoid such issues in the future.
"It is important to note that the recommendations suggested by the Auditor General have already been implemented by this Council.
"The report now ‘clears the air’ in relation to the Palmers Road issue and paves the way for the Council and the community to move forward.
"Having recently decided to retain the site in public ownership, Council is now looking forward to the land and building being utilised for the benefit of the community into the future."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Bass Coast Shire Council is upgrading Wonthaggi’s Union Theatre HVAC system, ensuring comfort, reliability, and future-proofing the historic venue, with works valued at $899,000 and expected completion by 20 March 2026. - South Gippsland Shire Council seeks independent chairperson for CEO Employment Committee role, submit quotations by 20 April 2026
Council seeks qualified consultants for Independent Chairperson of the CEO Employment Committee, overseeing CEO performance. The advisory role spans two years, with extensions, and includes at least two meetings annually. - South Gippsland Shire Council seeks nominations for Meeniyan Hub Community Asset Committee before 26 November deadline
Council invites nominations for the Meeniyan Hub Community Asset Committee. Forms available online or at Council offices. Submissions close 26 November, with inductions scheduled for the first week of December. - South Gippsland Shire Council congratulates the nominees and winners of 2026 South Gippsland Australia Day Awards and other updates
South Gippsland celebrated the 2026 Australia Day Awards at Meeniyan Hall, recognising outstanding citizens, youth, and community events, with winners Valerie Wilson, Erica Begg, Rhiannon Rawlins, and Loch Food and Wine Festival. - East Gippsland Council reminds pet owners to register cats and dogs to ensure safety, welfare and access to discounts by 10 April 2026
Pet owners are reminded to register cats and dogs by 10 April. Registration ensures pets’ safety, supports animal welfare, and funds community programs, with discounts available for eligible animals. - East Gippsland Shire Council urges protect health and air quality, burn dry wood and maintain heaters to reduce smoke this winter
Residents are urged to burn only dry, untreated wood, maintain heaters, and consider alternatives to reduce smoke, protecting health and improving air quality this winter. - East Gippsland Shire Council invite local businesses to workshop mountain bike tourism opportunities in Omeo on 29 April 2026
Local businesses in Omeo are invited to a 29 April workshop to explore mountain bike tourism, gain insights, and learn practical strategies to attract visitors and boost local spending. - Peri-urban councils warn Gippsland housing crisis threatens productivity and federal economic ambitions
Peri Urban Councils Victoria warns soaring prices and falling approvals are hurting productivity, urging federal and state governments to fund infrastructure reforms to unlock peri-urban housing supply and ease affordability pressures. - South Gippsland Shire Council invites you to submit EOI for Coal Creek food vendor on Living Heritage Days by 14 February 2026
Coal Creek seeks a local food and drink vendor for Living Heritage Days, held monthly from 7 March. Businesses can boost trade and connect with customers. Applications close 14 February. - South Gippsland autumn 2026 update with business breakfast, grants, events, opportunities and jobs expo on 19 March 2026
South Gippsland Jobs Expo on 19 March in Leongatha offers job opportunities, career advice and training pathways, alongside a business breakfast, community events, grants, road safety upgrades, skatepark opening and council updates. - Wellington Shire Council invites Gippsland residents to free online webinar series in Sustainable, Energy-Efficient Homes on 26 February 2026
Gippsland residents are invited to join a free 2026 Sustainable Living webinar series, offering practical advice on solar, batteries, electric homes, comfort, water, and climate-resilient design, delivered by Renew and local councils. - Latrobe City Council highlights strong financial performance and community-focused progress in its 2024/2025 Annual Report presentation
Latrobe City Council’s 2024/2025 Annual Report shows strong financial sustainability, strategic progress and disciplined planning, highlighting new health-focused development and continued delivery of essential services and infrastructure. - Gippsland Water completes major Warragul sewer upgrade, boosting capacity and supporting town’s rapid growth and future reliability
Gippsland Water has completed a 1.5-kilometre Warragul sewer upgrade, increasing capacity, improving reliability, supporting population growth, and protecting the environment, including relocation of threatened local species during construction. - South Gippsland Shire Council introduces green lidded bins and other council project updates
From 1 July 2026, residents can place food scraps in green-lidded bins for composting at Morwell. Weekly green bin, fortnightly red and yellow bins. Kitchen caddies and liners provided May–June and other council updates. - Melina Bath says Labor ignores known issues, worsening bushfire risk, blocking access and harming communities
A Gippsland Forestry Hub report criticises Allan government transport infrastructure failures, warning poor road and bridge conditions undermine bushfire preparedness, restrict access, delay firefighting response and increase risks to communities. - East Gippsland residents invited to provide input on 2026‑27 Council budget, shaping services, projects, and community priorities
East Gippsland residents can provide feedback on the 2026‑27 Council budget, helping shape priorities, services, projects, and capital works through surveys, community sessions, and ongoing consultations with councillors. - East Gippsland opens Lakes Entrance changing places facility, boosting accessibility, inclusion, and community participation
East Gippsland Shire Council and partners opened a Lakes Entrance Changing Places facility, providing fully accessible toilets, changerooms, and showers, enhancing inclusion, dignity, and community participation for people with disabilities. - Baw Baw Shire Council introduces FOGO green bin service from July 2026, reducing landfill, creating compost and supporting a circular economy
From July 2026, Baw Baw residents can use green bins for food and garden waste, reducing landfill, creating compost, and supporting a circular economy under the new FOGO service. - Have your say on key council plans, policies, and the future direction of South Gippsland through current engagement opportunities
South Gippsland Shire Council invites community feedback on key draft plans, policies, and the 2026/27 Budget, with in-person engagement opportunities and "Coffee with a Councillor" sessions in October. - Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions
Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures. - Share your update and present to South Gippsland Shire Councillors on issues that are important to you or your community on 4 March 2026
Friends of Agnes Falls and Gippsland Agroforestry will present to Council at Venus Bay Community Centre, 2pm, 4 March. Presentations are monthly; all community members are welcome to attend. - Baw Baw Council and community oppose large-scale solar, battery projects threatening prime farmland and farming livelihoods
Baw Baw Council and community express strong concerns over poorly sited solar and battery projects threatening prime farmland, seeking transparency, consultation, and protection of local farming livelihoods and regional character.
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