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Mayor Nathan Hersey and CEO Kerryn Ellis and One Gippsland meet Harriet Shing over post-cancellation South Gippsland opportunities

One Gippsland meets Minister Shing to explore post-Commonwealth Games opportunities. Hard waste collection, community grants, breast screening, and community consultations follow. Meet the mayor and councillor catch-ups scheduled.

By news@gippsland - 27th July 2023 - Back to News

Last week, our Mayor Nathan Hersey and Chief Executive Officer Kerryn Ellis joined other One Gippsland representatives to meet with Minister Harriet Shing to discuss potential opportunities for our region following the recent cancellation of the Commonwealth Games.

Mayor and CEO meet Minister Shing to explore post-cancellation opportunities for South Gippsland, hopeful for regional support package inclusion

Although South Gippsland was not directly involved in hosting the Games, there was the potential for visitor investment and attraction opportunities. As such, we are disappointed they will not be going ahead.

However, we remain optimistic that South Gippsland will be included in the Victorian government's promised $2 billion regional support package and were encouraged by the opportunity for open discussion and engagement with the Minister.

Hard waste collection available annually, council accepts bookings in July and August for October and November collections

Hard waste collection

Bookings for the annual hard waste collection service are now open. This provides residents with a convenient way to dispose of hard rubbish, particularly if they are unable to attend a transfer station themselves.

All residents are eligible to receive one collection at a fee of $150 per property. A reduced rate of $53 applies for pension card holders. Bookings close in August. To book, please visit South Gippsland Shire Hard Waste page.

Community grants

The first round of community grants are open now until Thursday 31 August. Grants can be used for both minor and major projects and equipment, planning and developing reports, and festivals and events. Drop-in sessions have been available across South Gippsland, with the following session left:

Monday 31 July
10.00am to 1.00pm
Tarwin Lower Healthcare Centre, Tarwin Lower

If you haven't been able to make it to any of the drop-in sessions, contact Sophie Bolding, council's Community Strengthening Officer on 5662 9200 or sophie.bolding@southgippsland.vic.gov.au to arrange another time to discuss your project idea. For more information and to apply, please visit South Gippsland Shire Community Grants page.

BreastScreen van in Leongatha

If you are between the ages of 50 and 74 and are due to have a breast screen but you've been putting it off, there's no better time to screen than on the van in Leongatha.

The van will be at Gippsland Southern Health Service, 66 Koonwarra Road, Leongatha 3953 from Monday 10 July to Thursday 10 August. Appointments for the Leongatha van can be made online at BreastScreen page {Book for a breast screening now https://www.breastscreen.org.au/ }

Draft coastal strategy

The draft Coastal Strategy is out now for community engagement. The Strategy outlines how council will respond to the management of our coastline, including work to identify and mitigate coastal hazards in order to protect our coastal communities and environment.

The first round of community consultation ran between December 2022 and February 2023 and attracted feedback from 770 people both through online and face-to-face pop-up events.

Now, we look to our community once again to let us know if the draft Strategy reflects community feedback and expectations. To read the draft Coastal Strategy and provide your feedback, please visit Your Say South Gippsland - Draft Coastal Strategy - Round Two Consultation page. Feedback closes Sunday 6 August 2023.

Poowong community plan review

The Poowong Community Consultative Committee (PCCC) is holding a community planning meeting at the Poowong Uniting Church. The drop-in sessions have now concluded, but you can still attend the community gathering on Wednesday 2 August at the Poowong Hall from 7.00pm (supper provided) to share your thoughts.

August's Meet the Mayor and Deputy Mayor sessions return. Chat directly with Mayor Nathan Hersey and Deputy Mayor Clare Williams

Meet the Mayor and Deputy Mayor

The Meet the Mayor and Deputy Mayor sessions are back again in August. Held on Tuesday 15 August between 10.00am and 2.00pm, these sessions are 20-minutes long and provide an opportunity for the community to chat directly with Mayor Nathan Hersey and Deputy Mayor Clare Williams.

To book, please contact: OfficeoftheCEO@southgippsland.vic.gov.au Preference will be given to those who have not had an opportunity before.

Drop-in to the catch up events below and have a chat with Strzelecki Ward Councillors: Nathan Hersey (Mayor), Jenni Keerie and Mick Felton. There's no need to book, just call in

Councillor catch ups

Mayor Hersey along with Councillors Felton and Keerie are providing opportunities for locals in their Ward to come and have a chat. So far, there have been opportunities in Loch, Meeniyan and Kongwak, with two more scheduled. These are: