Election/Caretaker Period

During the election period (17 September – 26 October 2024) updates to the website will be limited unless it is a statutory requirement.

Election Information

Candidate Request Register

Council’s Election Period Policy, clause 6.3 Information Request Register sets out that an Information Request Register will be maintained during the election period. This Register is a public document that records all requests relating to electoral matters and non-routine requests for information by Candidates, and the responses given to those requests.

Request Date	Requested by Candidate	Request for Council Information	Response Provided
25/9/24	Nathan Hersey	Update on Bena public toilet.	The new Bena public toilet is due to be installed by the end of 2024. A contract has been awarded, design completed and offsite fabrication is underway. The project cost is approximately $160,000 and is fully funded by Council from the Great Southern Rail Trail Extension Project capital budget.
20/9/24	Bron Beach	Transition Plan flexibility	We certainly understand that candidates will have a range of personal and professional commitments, and we are keen to work with the nine Councillors who are elected to ensure the induction program is workable for everyone. One of the first conversations we will have with the newly elected Councillors is to go over the proposed program and work out what times and days will work best. We are certainly very open to weekends or after hours sessions, and to 1-on-1 follow ups if a Councillor can’t make it to a particular session.
24/9/24	Aaron Taylor	Public Liability	The information you require can be found in the document ‘Election Signage and Material Distribution Guidelines’ on Council’s website. Local Council Elections \| South Gippsland Shire Council Please refer to this document as it may address any additional questions you may have. In particular, under the sub-heading ‘Where can Candidates Campaign on Council land?’, the second dot point provides the response to your question. It reads: A card table must not be less than 1.5 metres from a shop front. This ensures that footpaths are kept clear for pedestrians. Candidates are required to provide Public Liability Insurance that lists South Gippsland Shire Council as an interested part for anyone putting out anything on footpaths and Council areas.
30/9/24	Scott Rae	Update on Baths Road Reserve	Several tracks in Baths Road Reserve are now open. The community is now able to access the Balook Street and Pool Tracks, as well as sections of Wildflower Track. Work is continuing in the reserve, however the Link Track, King Fern Track, and sections of the Wildflower Track are still closed. Further works are being planned for the reserve with support from the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action, which may impact access to the reserve over the coming months. We are asking the community when visiting to please keep to the tracks in the reserve, and if any areas are closed, obey signage and fencing for your own safety.
1/10/24	Scott Rae	Public questions and presentations	At all regular Council meetings outside of the Election Period, community members can submit public questions. Community members who wish to present to Council are able to submit a request to Council. Community members who wish to submit a question to Council Meetings or register to present to Council are able to do via Council’s website. At no stage has Council stopped these two processes.
24/9/24	Scott Rae	Remembrance Day arrangements	As a part of the Councillor Transition program, Council has provided for a break to occur at 11am on the 11 November for Councillors to undertake a minute silence and/or visit the cenotaph in Leongatha for Remembrance Day. No other Remembrance Day events have been planned for Councillors due to the Councillor Transition program.
2/10/24	Rosemary Cousin	Children and Families Plan, Action Plan and Mirboo North Kindergarten engagement information	Please find the endorsed Children and Families Plan below, which includes a summary of feedback collected during the engagement period. Early Years Plans \| South Gippsland Shire Council You will also find linked here the Position Paper in relation to Council’s Role in the Early Years, which defines the role and level of service Council will provide in relation to supporting early years services and infrastructure in the South Gippsland Shire. The action plan and results from the Mirboo North Kindergarten engagement have not been released publicly, however you will be able to find the Council Meeting Minutes from Wednesday 21 August 2024 linked here, which contains a report and associated attachments that was presented to Council regarding the preferred design option in relation to the Mirboo North Kindergarten.
30/9/24	Jenni Keerie	Responsibility of Brown Tourist Signs	It depends on the type of sign (commercial business or non-commercial attraction) and location. The financial responsibility for all commercial tourist attraction signs – including installation and maintenance - rests with the applicant. If the sign in question is non-commercial and requires updating, we would encourage people to contact Council for further information.
25/9/24	Nathan Hersey	Update on what Council has done to prepare for the future growth of Nyora	Council has undertaken extensive work to plan for increased population growth and development in Nyora. The Nyora Development Strategy, which was prepared in consultation with the local community, remains Council’s leading document for the planning of Nyora. This Strategy was prepared anticipating strong growth for Nyora and surrounds, and the need for additional land supply. Council has been working to progress the Strategy and a number of actions are now complete. One such action was the rezoning of a section of land in the central business district from Township to Commercial zone which will help to facilitate retail and commercial opportunities. The 2023-24 Council Plan included an initiative to review planning controls for the land north of the railway reserve in Nyora with “the intent of controlling the form and density of residential subdivision to protect the planned future conversion of this land to higher density residential living”; $50,000 was allocated in the2023/24 budget to undertake this review, and this work has commenced including through a targeted planning workshop involving all Councillors and Council senior staff. Council was also successful in obtaining $25,000 in grant funding from the Victorian Planning Authority to investigate options for development contributions related to land affected by the Development Plan Overlay (DPO5) within the town centre. Such contributions would be put towards necessary infrastructure to support aa growing population. The Council Plan also includes an Annual Initiative for 2024/25 to “continue work to plan for growth and development in the Nyora township.”
2/10/24	Jenni Keerie	Korumburra skate park update.	Planning, heritage and archaeological permits are in place for the new Korumburra Skatepark in the rail precinct, which are subject to conditions. Council are working with the relevant authorities to address these conditions prior to tendering the project for construction, which will likely occur in early 2025. It is expected that construction will take place in 2025. Details on the project can be found on Council’s website: https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/homepage/550/korumburra_skatepark
1/10/24	John Schelling	Mardan tennis court linemarking.	A Council officer will inspect the court and make contact with the Mardan Tennis Court Committee to discuss options.