Draft Victorian Coastal StrategyThe Victorian Coastal Council has released the draft Victorian Coastal Strategy By Carol McCormack - 1st June 2001 - Back to News The Victorian Coastal Council has released the draft Victorian Coastal Strategy. The draft strategy is available at all Bass Coast Shire Council offices.
According to the Victorian Coastal Council, the strategy aims to help conserve and manage the coast for present and future generations. It takes a broad view of the coast, from the top of the catchment to offshore, and deals with issues in a long term, ecologically sustainable context.
The draft strategy includes:
- The Future
- Working in a dynamic environment
- Demographic trends
- Economic value of the coast
- Emerging issues
- Principles for Coastal Planning and Management
- Framework
- Hierarchy of principles for coastal planning and management
- Challenges, Outcomes and Actions
- The marine and estuarine environments
- The natural onshore environment
- People on the coast
- Access
- The built environment and coastal infrastructure
- Coastal dependent industry
- Integration and implementation
The draft strategy has been publicly released for two months to invite comment from all interested members of the community. Submissions close on 30 June.
For more information contact: Carol McCormack, Communications Co-ordinator Ph: 5671 2296 Mobile: 0407 557 620 Fax: 5671 2222
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: basscoastshire@gippslander.com

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The Nationals introduced a Victorian bill to protect agricultural land from poor development, recognising farming's $22 billion contribution and supporting long-term food security. - Tim Bull calls for more train carriages and bus services to match free public transport amid overcrowding concerns on Gippsland routes
Tim Bull is calling on the Victorian government to match free public transport with more trains and buses, addressing severe overcrowding and service capacity issues in Gippsland. - Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities. - The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses. - Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - Wednesday 27 August 2025
Baw Baw Shire Council's 27 August meeting covered petitions, Warragul planning permits, Aberfeldy roadworks, draft strategies, community consultation, governance updates, with meetings live-streamed and open for public participation. - Bass Coast residents can help shape new policy guiding future naming of council-managed public places
Bass Coast Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Place Naming Policy, outlining a transparent process for naming public places while recognising local history, Traditional Owners, cultural heritage and commemorating women. - Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment. - The Nationals pledge to keep Victoria's coal-fired power stations operating amid growing electricity supply concerns
The Nationals' Martin Cameron has pledged existing Victorian coal-fired power stations will not close early, warning of electricity shortages, higher prices and job losses while advocating firm generation and gas investment. - Wellington Shire Council offers free green waste disposal to help residents reduce fire hazards this season
Wellington Shire Council is urging property owners, particularly in coastal communities, to prepare for the fire danger period by taking advantage of its Fire Ready No-Fee Green Waste Disposal program. - Darren Chester tables petition signed by 1300 Gippslanders urging governments to progress Traralgon bypass
Darren Chester has tabled a petition urging federal and Victorian governments to progress the long-delayed Traralgon bypass, backed by over 1300 Gippslanders, calling for funding, design completion and construction. - East Gippsland Shire Council adopts pool safety report, confirming closure, major repair costs and future aquatic strategy planning
East Gippsland Shire Council adopts safety assessment of Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool, confirming major repair costs, closure due to risks, and future review through an aquatic strategy process. - West Gippsland CMA’s annual report showcases environmental achievements from mountain headwaters to coastal waters
West Gippsland CMA’s Annual Report highlights major 2024–25 achievements restoring rivers, wetlands and habitats, supporting communities, protecting wildlife, and strengthening catchment health from mountain headwaters to the coast. - Martin Cameron attacks Labor taxes, blaming rising business costs for Victoria’s growing insolvency crisis
Martin Cameron accused the Allan government of burdening Victorian businesses with high taxes and rising costs, blaming Labor’s policies for insolvencies, business closures and companies relocating interstate. - West Gippsland Landcare awarded $337,250 to transform landscapes, protect species, and enhance community green spaces statewide
West Gippsland Landcare volunteers received $337,250 from 2025 Victorian Landcare Grants to restore landscapes, protect endangered species, enhance waterways, plant 30,000 trees, and engage communities in conservation projects. - Bass Coast Shire Council demands urgent support as Phillip Island loses second major international motorsport event
Bass Coast says losing World Superbikes after MotoGP is another major blow, hurting Phillip Island businesses, tourism and jobs, and is urging the Victorian Government to deliver investment, support and replacement opportunities. - New oval lighting boosts Buln Buln Recreation Reserve for sport, training and year-round community participation
Buln Buln Recreation Reserve has new LED oval lighting, funded through a $250,000 Victorian government investment, improving safety, extending training opportunities and supporting year-round sport, recreation and community participation. - East Gippsland Council defers Planning Scheme Amendment, seeks comprehensive review of Rural Land Use Strategy
East Gippsland Council has deferred Planning Scheme Amendment C170egips, requesting a detailed review of the Rural Land Use Strategy to ensure future agricultural planning meets community needs. - Bass Coast Council lobbies state government on key regional priorities ahead of 2026 election talks
Bass Coast Council meets state government leaders to advocate for funding across tourism, sport, infrastructure, coastal protection and major regional development priorities ahead of the 2026 election. - Darren Chester urges immediate European Carp control virus release by 2028 to protect Australian waterways
Darren Chester urges urgent action against European carp, supporting the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s push to release the carp herpes virus by 2028 to protect waterways and native biodiversity. - Tim Bull credited Darren Chester for securing post–Black Summer funding but criticised Labor’s mismanagement delaying the recovery project
Tim Bull has criticised delays to the Mallacoota–Genoa Road upgrade, saying the Victorian government has wasted funding on consultants while failing to deliver long-promised bushfire recovery works. - Bass Coast Shire Council invites public submissions on Inverloch Surf Parade one-way proposal for shared path completion by 1 April 2026
Bass Coast Council invites public submissions on Inverloch Surf Parade one-way proposal, enabling final shared path stage, preserving car parking, addressing coastal erosion, and completing safe Inverloch-to-Wonthaggi trail connection. - Melina Bath criticises Allan government over lack of funding for Kids Helpline mental health support
Melina Bath has criticised the Allan government for not funding Kids Helpline, despite strong Victorian demand, urging greater mental health support for vulnerable young people, particularly in regional areas. - Have your say on the 2027 transition to Pre-Prep and help shape early learning in South Gippsland
South Gippsland Shire Council is seeking feedback from parents and carers to help shape how the Victorian government's 2027 Pre-Prep program is delivered locally to meet community needs. - Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - Wednesday 27 May 2026
Council’s 27 May meeting covered planning deferrals, Yarragon amendments, economic strategy endorsement, hardship policy adoption, governance updates, exhibitions, committee reports, and authorisations. - Noojee chosen for Healthy Forest Plans Pilot with $4M funding to boost tourism and local economy
Baw Baw Shire welcomes Noojee’s $4 million Healthy Forest Plans Pilot funding, part of a $30 million Victorian government initiative to boost regional tourism, support economic transition, and create local jobs. - Wilsons Promontory cruise showcases Skull Rock, seals, dolphins, whales and granite coastline aboard amphibious boats
Wilsons Promontory offers breathtaking coastal scenery, Skull Rock, seals, dolphins, whales and unique amphibious cruises departing daily from Tidal River. - Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - Wednesday 25 February 2026
Baw Baw Shire Council’s 25 February meeting approved a planning permit, endorsed the 2026‑2030 Economic Development Strategy, noted quarterly reports, submitted federal funding motions, and acknowledged a condolence motion.

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