speaking up for all residents Email: southgippslandvoices@gmail.com

Save the Poowong Earthworm colony “It is clear that not doing anything is no longer an option.”-South Gippsland Council statement on Coal Creek Local Lemon Law update Municipal Office Project Return Return of the Municipal Office Project

Planning Exemptions Smooth The Way For Outdoor Dining

The Victorian Government is ensuring Melbourne’s hospitality sector can make a smooth transition to outdoor dining by streamlining planning approvals.

Minister for Planning Richard Wynne today announced that existing pubs, restaurants, cafes and other food and drink venues can use existing outdoor spaces, as well as nearby parks and public land to accommodate and serve patrons without the need for a planning permit.

The exemptions, to be made under planning amendment VC139 and published in the government gazette later today, will allow venues to capitalise on open spaces including streets, footpaths and carparks to add to venue capacity while restrictions reduce the number of patrons allowed for indoor dining.

Read More »

Final explanation for FOI numbers reported

Council contacted this newspaper unhappy about a claim made regarding the number of FOI complaints lodged at Council as seen in the Council Annual Report in each of the two years 2018/19 and 2019/20. The table in the Annual Report says 20 and 27 but Council insists that the figures are 11 and 27, not 20 and 27.

Read More »

In a shattering week on Victorian roads, seven lives have been lost since 14 October.

With restrictions easing and two upcoming long weekends, Victoria Police are urging the community to drive safely as the dangers on our roads begin to creep back in. Police are today launching Operation Saturn, a two-and-a-half-week road policing operation that runs from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 8 November 2020. The state-wide operation will aim to prevent further trauma on our roads caused by dangerous driving in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Read More »

The Bird & The Wolf …

As you follow the stately, meandering Tarwin River south, you arrive in the picturesque town of Tarwin Lower. If you allow yourself the time to stroll along the shopping strip, the delicious, teasing scent of award winning Little Rebel roasted coffee will lead you straight to the popular ‘The Bird & The Wolf’ coffee shop.

Read More »

South Gippsland Council not planning to reopen Council meetings in November

With the relaxing of covid19 restrictions in November when 40 people are allowed in a dining establishment Council was asked when it planned to reopen its monthly live in person Council meetings. Usual numbers at a Council meeting would be around 10 maximum unless there was a contentious topic on the agenda.

A Council spokesperson said, “We are planning for a live-streamed Meeting in November and continuing to evaluate the situation on a month-by-month basis.”

Read More »

Farms versus nature: how do we decide what to protect?

Australian farmers take pride in their efficient and productive farming systems, competing in the global economy and without many of the large subsidies given to their counterparts in Europe and North America. There are many agricultural success stories in Australia – such as reducing soil erosion through conservation tillage – but major environmental problems have also emerged.

Read More »