News

Project Update - October 2025

1 October 2025

Council has recently completed the first stage of community consultation for the development of the Public Open Space Strategy 2026–2036. During August and September, the community was invited to share their views on the future of open space across the municipality.

Over the four-week consultation period, Council engaged with the community in a variety of ways, including face-to-face conversations, online surveys and an interactive mapping tool. This resulted in:

  • 320+ individual conversations with community members at pop-up sessions and events
  • 140 survey responses providing valuable feedback on current use and future needs
  • 200+ pins dropped on the online map identifying issues, opportunities and ideas for improvement

Council staff were out and about in our communities hosting 17 drop-in sessions in:

  • Golden Beach
  • Heyfield
  • Loch Sport
  • Maffra
  • Port Albert
  • Rosedale
  • Sale
  • Seaspray
  • Stratford
  • Yarram

Key themes from the conversation included:

  • Improve local path connections to reserves, schools and community facilities
  • Ensure adequate lighting, signage and accessibility upgrades for prams, wheelchairs and mobility scooters
  • Encourage more free community events, festivals and cultural activities in open spaces
  • Spaces for cultural experiences and community gatherings
  • Expand supporting infrastructure (drinking fountains, picnic tables, shaded seating)
  • Expand recreational facilities including outdoor gyms, nature based and risky play
  • Enhance natural areas through tree planting and habitat protection
  • Increased biodiversity across spaces with more tree and native plants

Further analysis of the responses received, as well as industry benchmarking, and reviewing population trends will help our team develop an Issues and Opportunities report. The feedback collected will help shape the draft Strategy, ensuring it reflects local priorities and guides investment in open spaces over the next decade.

The draft Public Open Space Strategy 2026–2036 will be presented to the community for further feedback in early 2026.