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South Gippsland Shire changed customer service counter opening hours and other council updates

Council is adjusting customer service counter hours to support a new Korumburra location, offering residents another spot for accessing services, and other council project updates.

By news@gippsland - 29th August 2024 - Back to News

Council is changing its customer service counter opening times to accommodate a new customer service counter in Korumburra. The new counter will provide residents with a second location to access Council information, log service requests, submit registrations and make payments. The counter will be staffed by Council's existing customer service team who will work between the two locations.

The Korumburra counter is now open; visit to say hello. Leongatha hours are Monday-Thursday, 10am-3pm, with phone services unchanged

Council hours change

From 30 September Council's customer service counter days will change to the following:

Leongatha: Mondays and Wednesdays 10.00am to 3.00pm
Korumburra: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.00am to 3.00pm
Closed: Both counters will be closed on Fridays

There will be no change to phone-based services which will continue to be available Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5.00pm. Council's website is also available 24/7.

A soft opening of the Korumburra counter is currently underway. Please drop in and say 'hello'. Until 30 September the Leongatha counter will operate Monday to Thursday from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Find out more and view our FAQs via Customer Service Counter Changes page.

Submission to VicGrid

At last week's Council Meeting, Councillors endorsed a submission in response to VicGrid's Draft Victorian Transmission Plan Guidelines and proposed Renewable Energy Zone Study Areas. Council's submission provides in principle support for renewable energy in South Gippsland in suitable locations, whilst reflecting community concerns and the need for consideration of our rural dwellings and agricultural industry.

Council's support is measured, considering the need to limit negative impacts on nationally significant agricultural and tourism land uses, especially if these impacts affect the economy, local character, natural landscape, culture and environment. You can read the full submission via Submission to VicGrid | South Gippsland Shire Council. Feedback on the proposed Renewable Energy Zone Study Area is open until 30 September.

Hard waste collection

This a final reminder to residents that registration for the annual hard waste collection service will close at the end of August. This service, scheduled for October and November, provides a convenient way to dispose of large, unwanted eligible items.

To register, please visit Council's website, complete the form and pay the relevant fee. The cost is $157, with a discounted rate of $56 available for pension card holders. Each property is eligible for up to two cubic metres of waste collection. Don't miss out on this opportunity! Ensure your registration is submitted before midnight Saturday 31 August. For more details, please visit the Hard Waste Collection Service website.

Council Elections 2024

Nominations for the South Gippsland Council Elections open Monday 9 September. This is a great opportunity for community members to step forward and contribute to the future of our region. By nominating yourself or encouraging others to run, you can help shape the policies and decisions that impact our daily lives.

Strong leadership and diverse representation are essential for addressing local issues and fostering a vibrant, resilient community. Stay informed and get involved - your participation can make a significant difference in South Gippsland's future. If you plan to put your hand up to run for Council and are yet to attend a Councillor Information Session, there is an online session tonight at 6.00am AEST.

There will also be two in-person candidate sessions run by the Victorian Electoral Commission. Here are the details:

Leongatha: Wednesday 4 September from 5.30 at Memorial Hall
Korumburra: Thursday 5 September from 5.30 at Korumburra Community Hub

You don't need to register to come to these in-person sessions. For more details, visit South Gippsland Local Council Elections website.

Mobile Service Centre

The Australian Government Mobile Service Centre is coming to South Gippsland. The bus is designed to assist you with services including Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support and the Australian Taxation Office.

You will be able to visit the mobile centre for face-to-face and self-service support at the following locations:

Toora - 4 September from 9.00am to 4.00pm
Foster - 5 September from 9.00am to 4.00pm
Fish Creek - 6 September from 9.00am to 4.00pm
Meeniyan - 9 September from 9.00am to 4.00pm
Mirboo North - 10 September from 9.00am to 4.00pm
Leongatha - 11 September from 9.00am to 4.00pm
Loch - 12 September from 9.00am to 2.00pm

For more information and exact locations, please head to Services Australia website.

Share your feedback on the draft Cape to Cape Resilience Plan, developed over four years with communities, land managers, and coastal experts for Inverloch, Venus Bay, and Anderson Inlet

Cape to cape resilience project

Have your say on the draft Cape to Cape Resilience Plan. Over the past four years, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action has collaborated with communities, land managers, and coastal experts to plan for future changes to the coastline at Inverloch, Venus Bay, and Anderson Inlet.

The Cape to Cape Resilience Plan aims to help manage coastal hazards and increase resilience from Cape Paterson to Cape Liptrap. This plan combines technical and strategic work with community engagement to inform long-term planning and manage important places and assets. It also includes actions to adapt to climate change impacts. To read the plan and provide your feedback, please visit the Engage Victoria website.

Community views survey

A sponsored Facebook post from a page called 'Community Views' is currently circulating on Facebook. This post has been funded by the Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA). They want to hear from Gippsland residents about what they believe makes somewhere a good place to live, their experience in the area and what needs to happen to improve quality of life.

This will help develop community sentiment benchmarks for the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland Transition Plan, Gippsland 2035. To share your thoughts, please visit the Gippsland views 2024 page. Submissions close at the end of August.

The Sound of Silent

Old-style cinema meets live jazz. The Sounds of Silent are a five-piece ensemble featuring some of Melbourne's most versatile and accomplished musicians. Recreating the silent movie experience from the 1920s and 30s, this time 'Circus' by Charlie Chaplin, they blend that with improvised performances featuring music that was in style during that period.

The event is a vibrant and entertaining musical and movie event for the whole family. The Sound of Silent will be bringing their lively sound to the Bena, Mirboo North and Welshpool Hall.

Bena Hall: Friday 13 September from 7.00pm
Mirboo North Hall: Saturday 14 September from 7.00pm
Welshpool Hall: Sunday 15 September from 1.30pm

For more information and to buy your tickets, visit South Gippsland - Sound of Silent Gigs website.

Kids can enjoy trick-or-treating, costume contests, and games, while parents explore haunted houses and seasonal treats at Coal Creek on October 31, 4:30pm

Halloween at Coal Creek

Bring the family to Coal Creek for an unforgettable Halloween celebration. The historic village will transform into a haunted wonderland, filled with spooky decorations, thrilling activities, and eerie entertainment for all ages.

Kids can enjoy trick-or-treating, costume contests, and ghostly games, while parents explore the haunted houses and enjoy delicious seasonal treats. This scary spectacle will take place at Coal Creek Community Park and Museum on Thursday 31 October from 4.30pm. Purchase your tickets and mark your calendars for a frightfully good time at Coal Creek this Halloween.

Out on the Weekend

Beloved Americana festival 'Out on the Weekend' is heading to the country this October, bringing a wagon load of international and local artists to Korumburra in a joyous adventure of country and western music, feasts and friendship.

This hoedown will take place at Coal Creek Community Park and Museum on Sunday 13 October from 1.30pm. Celebrate 10 years of 'Out on the Weekend' while supporting the arts in our region. For more information and to secure your tickets, please visit the Out on the Weekend website.

The beloved 'Out on the Weekend' Americana festival hits Korumburra this October with international artists, country music, food, and fun. Catch it at Coal Creek on October 13, 1:30pm

Community grants

Time is running out to submit an application for Council's Round One 2024/25 Community Grants. If you have a project that needs funding and your application is ready, now is the time to submit it. Don't miss this opportunity to secure support for your initiatives. Ensure your application is submitted before midnight Saturday 31 August. For more information and to submit your application, please head to the South Gippsland Community Grants page.

Hurry to submit your application for Council's Round One 2024/25 Community Grants. Secure funding for your project by applying before midnight on Saturday, August 31

Tiny Towns Fund

The Tiny Towns Fund aims to enhance Victoria's smallest towns. Applications for grants between $5,000 and $50,000 are now open to towns with up to 5,000 residents. The first round of this funding stream supported over 200 projects.

This second round encourages new and more applications, with a simplified application process to make it easier for volunteer-run groups. Applications close 25 October 2024. For more information and to apply, visit Victoria State Government website.