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Bass Coast Shire Council seeks community input to shape future grants program and strengthen local community initiatives until 4 October 2026

Bass Coast Council is reviewing its Community Grants Program, inviting residents and groups to help shape funding priorities supporting local projects, events, climate action and community initiatives.

By news@gippsland - 13th September 2026 - Back to News

From community festivals and environmental projects to equipment upgrades and storytelling initiatives, Bass Coast Shire Council's Community Grants Program helps turn local ideas into projects that make a real difference. Now, Council is inviting community groups, volunteers, organisations and residents to help shape the future of the program through a review of its Community Grants Program.

Council is seeking feedback on its grant programs, with residents invited to complete the survey or attend engagement sessions by 4 October 2026

Community grants review

Each year, Bass Coast communities bring people together through projects, activities and events that strengthen local connections and improve community wellbeing. In 2025, the program saw 92 community groups receive a total of $294,000 in funding, including $40,000 dedicated to community-led climate action initiatives.

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said the review was an opportunity to ensure the program continues supporting the needs of local communities. "Community grants are all about helping great local ideas get off the ground. Every year we see clubs, volunteers and community groups doing amazing things for Bass Coast, and we want to make sure the grants program is helping them succeed."

"If you've ever thought 'that's too hard', 'that's not for us', ' ‘that’s not what we need’ or 'where do I even start? we'd like to know. The goal is to make sure we're supporting the people, projects and initiatives that make Bass Coast even better," Cr Tessari said.

Grant program review

Council currently offers funding through Quick Response Grants, Community Grants, Climate Action Grants and Major Project Funding, supporting everything from small community projects to larger infrastructure and community initiatives. Community members can provide feedback online via the survey or attend one of several upcoming engagement sessions. Importantly, you don't need to have applied for a grant to participate.

Upcoming engagement sessions

Community Pop-up Session

• Wednesday, 23 September, 5.00pm - 6.30pm
• Kilcunda Community Centre

Online Ideas Session

• Wednesday, 30 September, 7.00pm - 8.30pm
• Online

Community Pop-up Session

• Thursday, 1 October, 5.00pm - 6.30pm
• Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre

Feedback is open until Sunday 4 October 2026. For more information, to complete the survey or register for an engagement session, visit Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Six Latrobe Valley businesses will receive funding through the Gippsland Supply Chain Resilience Program to improve productivity, purchase equipment, expand markets and strengthen supply chains amid regional economic transition.
• Melina Bath honours Colin "Stocky" Stockdale for 63 years of outstanding CFA service to South Gippsland community
  Melina Bath congratulated Colin "Stocky" Stockdale on receiving the CFA's highest honour, recognising his 63 years of leadership, mentorship and dedicated service protecting South Gippsland communities.
• Nationals and Liberals unveil $40M plan to strengthen Gippsland's regional health workforce and services
  The Nationals and Liberals propose a $40 million rural health workforce scheme, offering incentives up to $10,000 for relocation and accommodation to attract healthcare professionals to regional Victoria.
• Live and Loud at GPAC brings AFL Grand Final action, family fun and entertainment to Traralgon on 26 September 2026
  Latrobe City Council will host Live and Loud at GPAC on September 26, featuring family activities, entertainment, a ticketed musical-acrobat performance and free live screening of the 2026 AFL Grand Final.
• Celebrate the Lakes event highlighting Gippsland Lakes diversity and environmental projects protecting vital local ecosystems
  The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority will host Celebrate the Lakes at Eagle Point, showcasing Gippsland Lakes biodiversity, environmental projects and community efforts protecting local waterways, wetlands and wildlife.
• Sale residents urged to safely dispose of hazardous household chemicals at free Detox Your Home event on 10 October 2026
  Wellington Shire residents can safely dispose of unwanted hazardous household chemicals at a free Detox Your Home event in Sale, helping protect waterways, people, animals and the environment.
• Darren Chester releases 2026 Age Pension Guide to help older Gippslanders navigate retirement support and services
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has released his 2026 Age Pension Guide, providing older Gippslanders, pensioners, carers and families with information about pensions, concessions, aged care and government services.
• Gippsland secures $288M country roads and bridges commitment under national government
  The Nationals will restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program, providing Victoria's 48 regional councils $1.5 million annually for four years to repair roads, bridges and local infrastructure.
• Darren Chester discusses democracy, civics and federal parliament with St Paul's Year 9 students in Traralgon
  Darren Chester visited St Paul's Anglican Grammar School in Traralgon, discussing civics, democracy, Parliament and community issues with engaged Year 9 students and encouraging young people to participate in Australia's democratic process.
• Reliable water access drives Busch Organics' sustainable farming success and secures its fourth-generation future in East Gippsland
  Busch Organics relies on Mitchell River and groundwater to sustain organic vegetable production, while soil moisture technology, sustainable practices and family farming strengthen productivity and future generations.
• Gippsland Water upgrades Buckley's Hill basin to boost industrial reliability and strengthen emergency water supply resilience
  Gippsland Water has upgraded Morwell Buckley's Hill raw water basin, improving water reliability for industry, supporting the energy sector, and providing an emergency backup water source for residential customers during supply disruptions.