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Join the conversation and help shape South Gippsland and other council projects, programs and initiatives

Join the conversation this spring! Share your ideas on South Gippsland's future through community consultations, including Pre-Prep, Draft Plans, Governance Rules, and the 2026/27 Budget.

By news@gippsland - 23rd October 2025 - Back to News

Share your ideas, provide feedback and help shape the future of South Gippsland via the following engagement opportunities:

• Pre-Prep Consultation
• Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan
• Draft Community Engagement Policy and Strategy (2025–2029)
• Draft Governance Rules
• 2026/27 Annual Budget

Come along to one of the following engagement events to have a chat in-person:

• Outside Memorial Hall, Leongatha (or Council reception if raining): Wednesday 29 October - 12.00pm to 1.00pm
• Korumburra Pedestrian Link/Laneway (or Korumburra Hub if raining): Thursday 30 October - 12.00pm to 1.00pm
• Foster Laneway (near Foodworks), (or Foster VIC if raining) : Thursday 6 November - 10.00am to 11.00am
• Outside Tarwin Lower Mechanics Institute Memorial Hall (or inside if raining): Friday 7 November - 10.00am to 11.00am

For more information and to share your feedback online, please visit Your Say South Gippsland website.

Have your say this spring! Share feedback on key Council plans and the 2026/27 Budget at community events across South Gippsland

Australia Day awards

These awards are a chance to shine a light on the everyday people who go above and beyond to make South Gippsland a better place. Whether it's a quiet achiever, a passionate volunteer, or someone who simply makes life better for those around them - now is the time to recognise their contribution. Nominations close on Wednesday 5 November 2025. Nominate via South Gippsland website.

First virtual women's

The clinic provides free, specialist reproductive and sexual healthcare to women, girls, and gender-diverse people across Victoria. Appointments with doctors, nurses and counsellors are available. To find out more visit Virtual Women's Health Clinic website.

Victoria's first virtual women's health clinic offers free reproductive and sexual healthcare for women, girls, and gender-diverse people, with online medical and counselling appointments

Fire danger period begins

The Fire Danger Period for South Gippsland has been confirmed to start at 10.00am on Monday 27 October. Once the Fire Danger Period has been declared, fire restrictions come into force. This means you cannot light a fire in the open air unless you have a permit or comply with certain requirements. For more information visit CFA website.

South Gippsland's Fire Danger Period begins 10.00am, Monday 27 October. Fire restrictions apply - no open-air fires without a permit or meeting specific requirements

Garage Sale Trail

There is still time to register for the 2025 Garage Sale Trail. This is Australia's biggest secondhand treasure hunt. Registering is free and means your garage sale will be listed on a national map. Once registered, you will be able to download posters, flyers and even social media tiles.

No garage? No problem! Stalls are available at the Buckley Park Community Farm Car Boot Sale in Fish Creek on Saturday 9 November from 9.00pm to 1.00pm. The Garage Sale Trail is happening over two weekends - 8-9 and 15-16 November. View the sales in South Gippsland at the Garage Sale Trail 2025 website.

What's on South Gippsland

Victorian Seniors Festival

There is just one more week of the Victorian Seniors Festival! With over 60 free and low-cost events across nine towns, there is something for every senior in South Gippsland to try during the month of October.

All interests and abilities are catered to, with a wide range of events focussing on movement, sport, socialising, learning, arts, culture, and creativity. To find out more, visit South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Bass Coast - South Gippsland Food System Alliance Events

Have your say on building a local food network rooted in fairness and resilience at two local events. The group is wanting to hear from locals, food growers and those who are interested in joining.

• Fish Creek Memorial Hall: Saturday 25 October, 10.30am - 1.00pm
• Loch Public Hall: Saturday 8 November, 2.30pm - 5.00pm
• Online Session: Wednesday 19 November, 7.00pm - 8.00pm

For more information, and to get tickets visit Humanitix website.

Join free Walking Basketball sessions for seniors at SPLASH Leongatha, Tuesdays 10.30 - 11.30am from 28 Oct to 9 Dec. No experience needed

Walking Basketball for Seniors

The free 'come and try' sessions allow attendees to play in a supportive, low impact environment with no experience necessary.

• Tuesdays 10.30am to 11.30am
• From 28 October to 9 December. (no session on Melbourne Cup Day 4 November)
• Where: SPLASH, Leongatha

More information is available by contacting SPLASH on 5662 5911.

Your community

Play Well Expo

The South Gippsland Play Well Expo is a celebration of community sport, designed especially for women and girls to explore giving AFL, soccer, cricket or netball a try.

This free, family-friendly expo brings together local clubs, community leaders, and inspiring role models for a day full of activities, conversation, and celebration.

• When: Saturday 25 October⁠, 10.00am to 12.00pm
• Where: SPLASH, 52A Roughead Street, Leongatha

For more information, visit Gippsport website.

Walter J Tuck Recreation Reserve Committee AGM: Monday 27 October, Mirboo North Hotel. Dinner 6.30pm, meeting 7.30pm. RSVP by 24 October

Notice of AGM: Walter J Tuck Recreation Reserve

The Walter J Tuck Recreation Reserve Community Asset Committee annual general meeting is coming up.

• Date: Monday 27 October
• Location: Mirboo North Hotel
• Time: 6.30pm for dinner, 7.30pm for the AGM
• RSVP: by Friday 24 October to: secretary.wjtuckresmirboonth@outlook.com

Help shape South Gippsland

There are five important engagement opportunities open now.

2026/27 Annual Budget

Council has brought the Budget consultation period forward to ensure community input informs decision-making from the very beginning.

Community Engagement Policy and Strategy

The documents outline Council's approach to meaningful engagement with the South Gippsland community.

Updated Governance Rules

Governance Rules help to define how Council Meetings are run, and how the public can participate.

Domestic Animal Management Plan

The Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) helps ensure that pets, people, and the environment can live safely and harmoniously together by promoting responsible pet ownership and effective animal management.

Pre-Prep in South Gippsland

We want to hear from parents, carers of young children, and those planning for a family to help shape how Pre-Prep is delivered locally. To submit your feedback, visit Your Say South Gippsland website.

Funding opportunities

Eligible families can apply online for Get Active Kids vouchers worth up to $200 to cover sports, dance, or activity costs

Get Active Kids Vouchers Available

Eligible families can access vouchers of up to $200.00 to help cover the costs of sporting memberships, registration fees, uniforms and equipment. Families can apply for the vouchers online and use them to register for a physical activity like a sporting club or dance class, or receive a reimbursement for up to $200.00 per child. For more information, visit Get Active Victoria website.

Ausnet's Helping Our Mission for Equity (HOME) Grants 2026

These grants offer $30,000 to support projects or initiatives that improve outcomes for customers and communities on AusNet's electricity network. The funding is available for projects that improve customer experience or investigate how customers can be supported to use energy more efficiently. For more information, visit AusNet website.

AusNet's 2026 HOME Grants offer $30,000 for projects improving customer outcomes, experience, and energy efficiency across its electricity network communities

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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