Gippsland › Latest news › South Gippsland Local News

Mobile Service Centre visits South Gippsland in August and other council projects updates

The Australian government Mobile Service Centre is visiting South Gippsland in August, offering support and information on government services for rural residents, including help with myGov accounts.

By news@gippsland - 1st August 2025 - Back to News

Visit the mobile service centre to find out about Australian Government payments and services for rural families, older Australians, students, job seekers, people with disability, carers, farmers and self-employed people.

The Mobile Service Centre is visiting South Gippsland, offering support with payments, services, and help setting up myGov accounts

The Service Centre team can provide you with information and support, including creating a myGov account. MyGov is a simple and secure way to access government services online.

Toora

• When: Friday 8 August, 9.00am to 4.00pm
• Where: Near Sagasser Park, Stanley Street

Foster

• When: Monday 11 August, 9.30am to 4.00pm
• Where: Opposite the visitor information centre, Main Street

Yanakie

• When: Tuesday 12 August, 9.30am to 4.00pm
• Where: Near Yanakie Hall, Meeniyan-Promontory Road

Sandy Point

• When: Wednesday 13 August, 10.00am to 4.00pm
• Where: Opposite Sandy Point general store, Beach Parade

Fish Creek

• When: Thursday 14 August, 9.00am to 3.00pm
• Where: Opposite Home Hardware, Falls Road

To find out more, visit Services Australia website.

Mayor John Schelling and Rhys Matulis represented South Gippsland at a Parliamentary Inquiry, advocating for transparency and stronger support for regional councils

Parliamentary inquiry

Mayor John Schelling and Manager Governance and Integrity Rhys Matulis, recently represented South Gippsland at the Parliamentary Inquiry into Fraud and Corruption Control - Local Government.

Council's attendance provided a great opportunity to contribute to the ongoing conversation around transparency, accountability, and integrity within local government.

As a small regional council, South Gippsland is eager to see stronger coordination between agencies and more practical support to help smaller councils meet their obligations. This Inquiry provided a valuable opportunity to make our voice heard, and we appreciated the chance to contribute.

Wilsons Promontory will close 17 - 22 August for essential conservation works, including deer control to protect native habitats and wildlife

Temporary national park closure

Wilsons Promontory National Park will be CLOSED from 5.00pm Sunday 17 August to 8.00am Friday 22 August.

The closure will allow for important park management and conservation programs to take place including the annual pest control program to reduce the deer population in the park.

Sambar and Hog deer cause significant environmental damage by grazing, trampling, and forming wallows, threatening the health of native plants, and destroying habitat for native animals. To read more, visit Parks Victoria website.

National Tree Day

Council is proud to have recently supported a series of tree planting events that brought together community groups, local schools, and passionate volunteers as part of recognising National Tree Day.

It's a wonderful demonstration of what can be achieved when Council teams, Landcare, and the broader community come together with a shared commitment to the environment.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and enthusiasm. This work reflects the strength of our partnership, particularly with South Gippsland Landcare Network, and our collective drive to protect and restore local ecosystems for future generations.

Council supported National Tree Day events, uniting schools, volunteers, and Landcare to plant trees and protect local ecosystems together

Free breast screens in Foster

The Women's Health Mobile Clinic is coming to Foster:

• Free 10-minute breast screens
• When: 11 August to 12 September 2025
• Where: South Gippsland Hospital, 87 Station Road

To find out more about the program and check if you are eligible, visit Breast Screen Victoria website.

• Free 45-minute women's health consults
• When: 11 August to 12 September 2025
• Where: South Gippsland Hospital, 87 Station Road

To learn more about the range of services available, visit Breast Screen website.

What's on South Gippsland

Homelessness Week 2025

Homelessness Week 2025 will be held from Monday 4 August to Sunday 10 August. During the week, homelessness services and community groups raise awareness of the impact of homelessness, and the solutions needed to end it. The following events will be held in the Gippsland area and warmly invite all to attend:

The Salvation Army Homeless Shelters Display

A presentation of a small display of 'homeless shelters' at The Salvation Army office in Leongatha for the community to view. This provides insight on how some of our vulnerable community members may have lived at certain times, right here in our local towns.

• When: Wednesday 6 August, 12.00pm to 2.00pm
• Where: 2 Long Street, Leongatha

If you have any questions, please contact the TSA Homelessness team on 5667 5200.

Houses of Parliament comes to Gippsland

The Gippsland Homelessness Network have created a display of origami houses at the Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon, representing 10 per cent of the number of households on the Priority Access list within the Victorian Housing Register Broadband list for Gippsland.

• When: Friday 8 August, from 11.00am
• Where: 32 Kay Street, Traralgon

RSVP: To Chris McNamara, Gippsland Homeless Network Coordinator by Friday 1 August.

Homelessness Week runs 4 - 10 August, with Gippsland events raising awareness and showcasing local experiences and housing challenges. All welcome

Gippy Girls Can Regional Survey

Gippsport are asking women and girls across Gippsland to share what helps - or hinders - them from getting active. Complete the Gippy Girls Can survey in just a few minutes to provide your insights and help shape programs that meet the needs of our communities.

To find out more, visit GippSport website.

Esso Community Consultation - Decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure in Bass Strait

If you'd like to know more about decommissioning of platforms and pipelines in Bass Strait, the Esso Consultation Team will be hosting community information sessions at the following locations, from 5.00pm to 7.00pm:

• Monday 18 August, Yanakie Hall
• Tuesday 19 August, Foster War Memorial Arts Centre
• Wednesday 20 August, Leongatha RSL

To register, send an email to consultation@exxonmobil.com.

Learn about Bass Strait platform and pipeline decommissioning at Esso's community sessions in Yanakie, Foster, and Leongatha, 18 - 20 August

Nominations Open for the 2025 Multicultural Youth Awards

Nominations are officially open for the 2025 Multicultural Youth Awards (MYA) - a national celebration of the leadership, creativity, and resilience of multicultural youth aged 16 to 25 across Australia. Know a young person breaking barriers or creating impact? Nominate them today! Nominations close Sunday 31 August 2025.
To find out more, visit Multicultural Youth Awards website.

Visit South Gippsland

To see what's on in South Gippsland, please head to the Visit South Gippsland website. Here you can see the latest events, find places to stay and eat, and even find a fun weekend activity. For more information, head to Visit South Gippsland website.

Your community

Gippy Girls Can Week - Get your club or group involved

Are you part of a local club, health service, or community organisation? Help Gippsport bring Gippy Girls Can Week to life by running an activity in your area. For more information or to submit an expression of interest, visit Gippy Girls Can Week Returns this September page.

Korumburra Mural Completion

The mural in Korumburra by Magic Lantern Studio is officially complete. This project was funded as part of the Korumburra Railyard Development and replaces the community mural that was in the adjacent access tunnel. Check it out the next time you're in Korumburra!

Korumburra's new mural by Magic Lantern Studio is now complete, replacing the old tunnel artwork as part of railyard upgrades

Youth Council at Parliament

After working on their Prevention of Wildlife Deaths on Roads 2025 Bill since February, four South Gippsland Youth Council members successfully debated their Bill at Parliament House in July. It was an exhilarating discussion overseen by the Honourable Member Georgie Purcell, the youngest woman holding office in the Victorian Parliament.

The clear passion, commitment and knowledge of the team shone through in their debate, with a majority of the Youth Parliament supporting the Bill. This incredible achievement shows the hard work the team put in to represent South Gippsland.

Four South Gippsland Youth Councillors successfully debated their wildlife road safety Bill in Youth Parliament, showcasing passion, knowledge, and strong representation

Discover South Gippsland

Local Favourites from the Visitor Information Centre. Inspiration from John Grenville, Tourism Information Officer:
"Working at the Visitor Information Centre at Foster, I love to talk to visitors and residents who come in about the wonderful things they can do in South Gippsland. One of my favourite things to do is walk along the Great Southern Rail Trail. I try to walk five or six kilometres every day that I don't work.

I have several favourite sections, being Jeetho to the Hilda Falls, Kardella to Ruby and Lowrys Road to the Lookout on the Fish Creek to Foster section, to name just three. Apart from keeping fit, the enjoyment of the wonderful scenery is so uplifting.
Get out there and explore!"

Happy adventuring.
The VIC Team.

Community engagement

Korumburra Skate Park

Council is seeking feedback on plans for the new skate park that will be delivered as part of the Korumburra Railway Precinct Project. The skate park is aimed at beginners and intermediate skaters and will be located near the new BBQ shelter and toilet block.

Provide feedback by completing the online survey via Your Say South Gippsland website.

Council proposes discontinuing unused Rooney Street, Foster. Submit feedback by 19 August 2025. More details available on Council's website

Proposed Road Discontinuance - Rooney Street Foster

Council has proposed to commence statutory procedures to discontinue an unused road known as Rooney Street Foster. A person may make a submission to this proposal. Submissions are to be received no later than 5.00pm Tuesday 19 August 2025 addressed to the CEO.

For more information or to make a submission, visit Your Say South Gippsland - Unused Road website.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com