1 Roughead St, Leongatha Ph 5662 2327 LMCT 1500 AH Darryl McGannon 0409 151 463 AH Daniel Macafee 0431 184 594 www.edneysleongatha.com.au sales@edney.com.au JA23350-V8 KONA Hybrid from $39,990 drive away.* *T&Cs and exclusions at hyundai.com.au big deal. Now that’s a P: 5678 8433 1505 Bass Highway, Grantville | www.alexscott.com.au Hilltop Estate with 180° Views JA23281-V17 Craftsman built home on 103 acres 470 Densley Rd, Woolamai $2,995,000 Sentinel-Times COVERING SOUTH GIPPSLAND AND BASS COAST Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | $2.00 JOBS BOOM JOBS BOOM AT KILCOY AT KILCOY Fun Fun for all for all Korumburra Show coverage on page 24. QUEENSLAND-based Kilcoy Global Foods is set to frank its highly successful takeover of the Lance Creek export abat- toir just outside Wonthaggi with a multi- million dollar expansion of the facility. The development incorporating the latest advancements in production tech- nology, automation and safety protocols will create hundreds more jobs leading to a $54.2 million annual injection into the local economy and a significant in- crease in daily throughput. While there are no planning restric- tions presently on the number of live- stock that can be processed at the facil- ity daily, Kilcoy is seeking to expand its hours of operation in an effort to raise throughput from 300 head to as many as 800 head a day or 4800 head per week. The expansion project which doubles the existing demand for locally sourced livestock will generate $180.4 million more economic activity for Victoria in its first full year of operation in addi- tion to the $22.6 million already created by Kilcoy’s existing operations at Lance Creek. According to an economic impact re- port prepared for the applicant by Aus- tralian Economic Advocacy Solutions, the project will add 200 jobs to the Lance Creek workforce and a further 311 indirect jobs locally. “The Kilcoy Lance Creek expansion will significantly boost the local and re- gional economy by attracting new talent to the region with an additional 300 em- ployees needed,” the report states. “Producer partners will benefit from the increased demand for livestock fur- ther stimulating regional growth. “The development will also create a positive ripple effect benefiting indus- tries that supply goods and services to the facility including feed suppliers, lo- gistics providers and contractors.” Continued page 3 Mayor Halstead confirms state election bid Page 3 2 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 | SOUTH GIPPSLAND SENTINEL-TIMES Leongatha & Korumburra Only www.michaelsiga.com.au Specials available from Wed 18th to Tues 24th February 2026 While Stocks Last. We reserve the right to correct printing errors. Images are for illustration purposes only. Michael’s IGA Liquor supports the responsible service and consumption of alcohol. $ 5 29 ea Leongatha store only! SATSUKI FLOWER PLATE SHORELINE COMBO $ 12 per serve $ 11 50 per serve SLAPE & SONS SAUSAGES 480G Chicken, Spinach & Feta or Lamb Kofta $1.72 per 100g $ 19 99 kg DON ROUND STRASBURG AUSTRALIAN GRASS FED BEEF RUMP STEAK $ 23 99 kg AUSTRALIAN LAMB LOIN CHOPS $ 12 99 kg $ 8 25 ea $ 6 49 ea $ 14 99 kg MARCEL’S PANCAKES HAPPY 6 PACK VARIETIES OR PETITE 24 PACK $2.20 per 100g AUSTRALIAN PORK TENDERLOIN ASHGROVE CHEESE 140G VARIETIES $4.63 per 100g Victorian Bitter Cans 375ml x 30 Block Wolf Blass Red Label or Lindeman’s Bin Wines 750ml Varieties $ 68 ea M u l t i B u y 2 for $ 12 Winesmiths Traditional Wine Casks 2 Litre Varieties $ 10 ea SOUTH GIPPSLAND SENTINEL-TIMES | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 | 3 Lot Sizes from 409m² to 792m² Pricing from $230,000 to $299,000 Build your dream home and experience Bass Coast living. 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Let’s talk business loans to help your plans take off From page 1 Overall it is anticipated that there will be a combined direct and indirect employment increase of 511 jobs in the Bass Coast and South Gippsland areas with both short-term construc- tion jobs and long-term positions in production, logistics, operations and administrative roles. “This increase in employment will directly benefit the local community with all roles advertised locally and providing stable job opportunities across various skill levels.” While much of the development will involve technological advancements on the inside of the plant there will also be a 362 square metre extension of chiller room space, more parking space, alterations to the entrance from Wonthaggi-Korumburra Road and some internal road widening. The firm is seeking to expand its hours of operation from 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday to 6am to 10pm Monday to Saturday. The applicant gave notice of the project by registered mail to 29 near- by landowners and occupiers and placed a notice on the land. As a result three objections were received raising noise issues princi- pally from cattle deliveries and freez- er truck pickups, odour, traffic and vegetation removal. Odour at least will not be a problem. According to an Air Quality and Odour Assessment report prepared by Trinity Consultants Australia, the abattoir historically processed up to 600 cattle per day prior to its closure in 2017 and during that time was not subject to odour complaints. “With the proposed increase in throughput combined with a mod- ern wastewater treatment system the likelihood of odour complaints is even less.” Council’s approval of the applica- tion on Wednesday is expected to be a formality after a favourable council report is tabled at this week’s meet- ing. Jobs boom at Kilcoy Kilcoy Global Foods is set to add 200 more jobs at its Lance Creek abattoir following a multi-million dollar upgrade and expansion project. Mayor Rochelle Halstead confirms state election bid THE Mayor of the Bass Coast Shire Council, Cr Rochelle Hal- stead, has confirmed that she has been nominated for Liber- al Party preselection to run in the next election campaign in the state’s most marginal seat, Bass. Asked about reports that she had accepted preselection nomination, Cr Halstead said on Sunday she had done so. “I can confirm that I have been nominated for pre-selec- tion but out of respect for the pre-selection process, I won’t be commenting further at this stage,” Cr Halstead said. Cr Halstead is understood to have informed council col- leagues that she has decided to run for pre-selection, but with no date as to when the Liberal Party will close nominations in Bass or make its endorsed candidate selection. It is understood that there have presently been two nomi- nations received. Cr Halstead was previously the Mayor of Frankston in 2003 and stood for the Victorian state seat of Frankston in 2006 and intended to stand again in 2010 before withdrawing from public life after a family trag- edy. Having worked for Parlia- ment of Victoria, the education sector and the private sector Cr Halstead is a small busi- ness owner in the hospitality industry, a role she shares with her husband Tony. Together they have five chil- dren and three grandchildren. At the last state election in 2022, the electorate of Bass was decided by literally a “handful of votes”, with La- bor’s Jordan Crugnale victori- ous with 20,803 votes or 50.24 per cent, just 202 votes clear of the Liberals’ Aaron Brown on 20,601 votes or 49.76 per cent. Effectively it meant that if 102 voters had changed their mind on the day, the result would have gone the other way. Ms Crugnale has already an- nounced that she will not be seeking re-election and the La- bor Party has endorsed the for- mer CEO of the Latrobe Valley Authority, now Regional Devel- opment Victoria (Gippsland), CEO of consultancy firm The Fair Co, Chris Buckingham, as its candidate. If Cr Halstead gains pre-se- lection, she will be one of two Bass Coast Shire Councillors involved in the November state election with Cr Mat Morgan the endorsed Greens candi- date for the Upper House seat of Eastern Victoria. The Mayor of the Bass Coast Shire Council Rochelle Halstead with husband Tony at the Ocean Sounds Music Festival at Churchill Island recently has “thrown her hat into the ring” to contest Liberal Party preselection to run in the seat of Bass at the next state election. How Mary Aldred finished a big week at the show A THROWAWAY line to the assembled media by Monash MP Mary Aldred on her way into Parliament in Canberra on Friday morning unexpect- edly turned into a national publicity boost for the Ko- rumburra Show which lo- cal show organisers were only too delighted to receive. Characterised as a Sussan Ley supporter by the media, Ms Aldred was asked for her attitude to the spill once it became clear that Angus Tay- lor was on his way to victory. “Are you disappointed about what’s happen- ing today?” they asked. “I’m just looking forward to getting home and going to the Korumburra Show,” she said. Ms Aldred’s colleague Tim Wilson MP seized on the theme and in a quirky in- terview to the waiting me- dia pack he told them not to worry about the Liberal leadership challenge but to focus on “the hottest ticket in Monash”, the annual Ko- rumburra Show on Saturday. True to her word, Ms Al- dred made a beeline for the Korumburra Show after leav- ing Canberra, pleased that the day had a positive impact on an important local event. “As a passionate Gippslander, I’m always proud to promote our region, and it was great to bring national attention to the Korumburra Show. I even had a few people stop by my stall on Saturday to say they’d trav- elled up from Melbourne just to check it out,” Ms Aldred said. “Every time I leave home for Canberra, I bring with me our community as my first con- sideration to everything I do. From farmers to pensioners, I’m acutely aware that right now many people are doing it tough. They are looking for an alternative to Labor’s neglect of regions like ours. “I’m enthusiastic about work- ing with Angus Taylor and Jane Hume to reduce the cost of living for families in Monash, and to fight for bet- ter roads and infrastructure. “I also want to acknowledge the profound decency of Sus- san Ley and Ted O’Brien.” The former deputy leader was due to visit the region this week. Monash MP Mary Aldred visits the sheep pavilion at the Korumburra Show on Saturday where she chats with show society president Danial Robbins. 4 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 | SOUTH GIPPSLAND SENTINEL-TIMES Scholarships Secondary students who excel are encouraged to apply for our Academic Scholarships and an extended range of Personal Excellence Scholarships. Whether you love Sport, The Arts, STEM, Business/Entrepreneurship, Leadership/Community Service or Environmental Awareness, consider joining Gippsland’s leading school to pursue your potential. Visit stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or contact us on 5623 5833 for more information. Applications close 6 March 2026 Apply Now Kinder to Year 12 • 150 Bowen Street Warragul 6 Day Weather Forecast SOUTH GIPPSLAND TUE | Feb 17 WED | Feb 18 THUR | Feb 19 FRI | Feb 20 SAT | Feb 21 SUN | Feb 22 Late showers. Cloudy. Partly cloudy. Mostly sunny. Partly cloudy. Shower or two. Wind AM: NE 15-20km/h Wind PM: N-NW 25-40km/h Wind AM: W 20-30km/h Wind PM: W 20-30km/h Wind AM: W 15-25km/h Wind PM: SW 15-20km/h Wind AM: Light Wind PM: Light Wind AM: Light Wind PM: Light Wind AM: Light Wind PM: NW-SW 15-25km/h 17° 35° 13° 21° 12° 22° 10° 27° 14° 25° 13° 30° Entertainment 25 Real Estate 27-29 Puzzles 30 Farming 31-33 Trades & Services 34-35 Classifieds 36-38 Automotive Guide 18 Korumburra Show 24 CONTENTS FEATURES CONTACT ADVERTISING DEADLINES ONLINE OFFICE: 47 McBride, Avenue, Wonthaggi, VIC, 3995 HOURS: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm PHONE: (03) 5672 1888 EMAIL: EDITORIAL & LETTERS news @ sgst.com.au ADVERTISING ads @ sgst.com.au ACCOUNTS accounts @ sgst.com.au MANAGING Michael Giles DIRECTOR: michael @ sgst.com.au OPERATIONS Jim Akers MANAGER: jim @ sgst.com.au ADVERTISING Holly McMaster MANAGER: holly @ sgst.com.au EDITOR: Rick Koenig JOURNALISTS: Andrew Paloczi Bruce Wardley Chloe Kent Nicole May Tayla Kershaw Trent Westaway DISPLAY: Advertising closes at 3pm on Fridays CLASSIFIEDS: Advertising closes at 12 noon on Mondays The South Gippsland Sentinel-Times is published on Tuesdays. *Please note changes occur as a result of public holidays. @ sentineltimes sgsentineltimes Produced and published by Michael Giles, of 47 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi for South Eastern Newspapers Pty. Ltd. A.B.N. 30 005 353 168. Printed by Express Print, 5 Jones Road, Morwell. Registered by Australia Post Publication No. VAC 336188/00002. www.sgst.com.au AC0916-V7 South Eastern Newspapers ABN 30 005 353 168 Sentinel-Times C OVE R IN G S O U TH GI PPS LAND AN D BAS S COAS T IN BRIEF Water main floods Inverloch street A BURST water main sent thousands of litres of brown water cascading down A’Beckett Street in Inverloch on Saturday closing the road from the pub to the hub. Police blocked off the lower end of the street between Reil- ly Street and Williams Street shortly before 11am while South Gippsland Water inves- tigated. Crews worked to repair the water main into the early after- noon. Police seek stolen trailer FOSTER Police are appeal- ing for information regard- ing a stolen trailer last seen on Toora-Gunyah Road and Creamery Valley Road at Toora North around 7pm on Friday. The dual axle trailer regis- tration Y21548 was painted light green and was hauling concrete drums when it was left on the roadside. By 6am the next morning the trailer had vanished though the concrete drums were found in nearby bushes. Anyone with information should contact Senior Consta- ble Waugh at Foster Police on 5682 2407. Leongatha high school reunion FORMER students of Leon- gatha High School are invited to a reunion at Leongatha RSL on Saturday, February 21 from 1pm. The event is aimed at those who started in 1965, 1966 or 1967 and finished anywhere up to 1972 though all former students are wel- come. The 1967 year at Leon- gatha Tech is also invited. Entry is $25 which includes afternoon tea. RSVP with any dietary re- quirements to Leila Wilson on 0407 314 786. Trees on farms field day FARMERS interested in planting trees on their proper- ties are invited to a field day at 3310 South Gippsland High- way Darriman on Tuesday, February 17 from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Forestry expert Tim Fowler from Heartwood Unlimited will talk about plantation management and how his agroforestry company works with landholders. Callam Reynolds from Maf- fra and Districts Landcare Network will explain how the Victorian Trees on Farms Pro- gram works and the funding opportunities available. Lunch will be provided. Register on trybooking. Mental health support for small business SMALL business owners across Australia can continue accessing free mental health coaching through Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program which has been extended to June 2027. The program offers up to six sessions with a specialist coach experienced in small business challenges. More than 76 per cent of par- ticipants showed significant improvement in symptoms of anxiety or depression. No GP referral is required and sessions are confidential. Visit beyondblue.org.au or call 03 9250 8305. Road closure for Cowes THE relocation of the Cowes ‘Foreshore Market’ to the car- nival site in January simply did not work and quite apart from the planning anomalies the location created, a petition has been signed by 2119 peo- ple calling on the Bass Coast Shire Council to return the event to The Esplanade. The petition is being tabled at the council meeting this Wednesday with the intention that council decide what to do at the meeting. The key question for council is not that the Foreshore Mar- ket return to the foreshore, because it is booked to come back for four dates on March 7, April 4, May 2 and June 6 this year, but that The Espla- nade is allowed to be closed for the event. Apparently, construction contractors Fulton Hogan have the call on that this year but it’s what happens with the Foreshore Market and The Es- planade in the future that’s an issue for council. Grants help fight invasive pests COMMUNITY groups fight- ing invasive pests across Vic- toria will share in more than $347,000 through the Part- nerships Against Pests grants program. The Victorian Blackberry Taskforce will receive $76,553 to deliver solutions for black- berry infestations. The Victorian Rabbit Action Network will receive funding to continue its community leadership course and pro- duce educational videos on rabbit exclusion fencing. For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au. Heat safety reminder for workplaces WITH February recording some of the hottest days of the year the Australian Institute of Health and Safety is remind- ing employers and workers that heat is a serious safety risk. Employers are urged to take steps to prevent fatigue, heat stress and heat-related inju- ries particularly as climate change triggers more frequent extreme conditions. A new international stan- dard has been released pro- viding practical guidance to help organisations adapt to climate-related hazards. Bullying support line launches A NEW national bullying support service has launched connecting kids, teens and parents directly to qualified counsellors. The 13 DOLLY service from anti-bullying organisation Dolly’s Dream offers both phone and web chat support as polling shows some young Australians are seeking emotional help from AI chatbots instead of quali- fied humans. A recent poll found 65 per cent of parents said their child uses AI tools with 26 per cent confirming their child used AI for help when feeling sad. Dolly’s Dream head Sally Sweeney said the service pro- vides vital real connection. “We know that kids and teens are turning to AI for help and while it will always give a response AI cannot of- fer the safety or qualified guidance of a human counsel- lor,” Ms Sweeney said. “Our message to kids is clear. If you are getting bullied please turn to a human at 13 DOLLY not an algorithm.” Call 13 DOLLY (13 36 559) or visit dollys- dream.org.au for web chat. More death cap deaths SINCE November last year, four people have died and three others have required liver transplants in California after eating death cap mush- rooms, growing strongly in re- sponse to a rainy winter. In total, more than three doz- en cases of death cap mush- room poisoning have been reported leading authorities to issuing a warning against for- aging for mushrooms altogeth- er ‘because death cap mush- rooms are easily confused with safe, edible varieties’. Many who sought medical at- tention suffered from rapidly evolving liver injury and liver failure. Several patients required admission to an intensive care unit. They have ranged in age from 19 months to 67 years old. Locally, the existence of death cap mushrooms came to prominence during the Erin Patterson murder trial in July last year. SOUTH GIPPSLAND SENTINEL-TIMES | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 | 5 03 5614 3600 ma ry. ald r ed m p @ a p h go v. a u Scan t o con t ac t me Authorised by M Aldred, 46C Albert St, Warragul VIC 3820 FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MONASH ALDRED MARY Melina BATH MP THE NATIONALS MEMBER FOR EASTERN VICTORIA REGION 2/181 Franklin St, Traralgon VIC 3844 melina.bath@parliament.vic.gov.au 5174 7066 MelinaBathMLC EASTERN VICTORIA REGION Saturday 28 February | 11am-1pm 49 James Street, Yarram EXPLORE QUALITY SDA IN YARRAM Take a tour of our brand-new home, learn about Specialist Disability Accommodation, meet the team, & go in the draw to win $100! Scan the QR code to register You’re Invited HM11389 Phone (03) 5674 2644 23 A’Beckett Street, Inverloch www.basscoastlegal.com.au Servicing all areas. Personalised legal services Murder mystery author Vikki Petraitis is set to speak at the Wonthaggi Workers Club next month. Murder mystery author to speak THE discovery of human remains in the backyard of a Silverleaves property last month has been dis - missed by police as relating to any high-profile missing persons cases. But it did not stop intense interest in the 1986 Phillip Island murder of 23-year-old Beth Barnard and the disappearance of Vivienne Cam - eron. The interest developed in the wake of a high-rating podcast on Casefile with Vikki Petraitis, co- author of The Phillip Island Murder and ahead of the release of a new book by Ms Petraitis, The Vanishing of Vivienne Cameron. Ms Petraitis is set to speak about her book at a Crime Night at the Wonthaggi Workers Club on Friday, March 13 at 7pm. Tickets are available on Trybook - ing. A PROPOSAL set to come before the Bass Coast Shire Council on Wednesday for 23 accommodation cabins to be added to an existing caravan park on Phillip Island is be - ing recommended for approval. To be built on a site “generally de - void of vegetation” apart from two patches of Cypress trees, the Phil - lip Island Park Lane Holiday Park project has nonetheless attracted 18 objections. They raised issues including bush - fire risk, over-development and loss of vegetation but the report to coun - cil found that the project would ac - tually “improve bushfire resilience to the use”. The tourism project is to be lo - cated at 1805 Phillip Island Road Cowes, on a 6.1-hectare site, 3.8km south of the Cowes activity centre. Accommodation boost for Phillip Island Nightmare planning scenario in Bena Road A CENTURY-old subdivision along Bena Road in Korum - burra, which created 20 unusu - ally long allotments, each 200 metres in length and 20 to 40 metres wide, has thrown up a nightmare scenario for council and the affected landowners. And there seems to be no ob - vious way to avoid conflict. The subject of council consul - tation with long lot landowners and adjoining property own - ers in August and September last year, when a draft mas - ter plan to guide future sub - divisions was floated, the is - sue now moves on to a more formal footing on Wednes - day when it goes to council. In an effort to avoid the poten - tial for poor planning outcomes from a piecemeal approach to residential subdivisions in the area, the council is proposing to apply a Development Plan Overlay across all 20 long lots, forcing the preparation of an overall development plan, at the owners’ expense, which apparently no one wants. A petition containing 50 signa - tures was received by the coun - cil on Monday February 9 on behalf of local residents who object to the proposal to apply a Development Plan Overlay. Council has pointed to a re- cent application for a 23- lot residential subdivision across two adjoining long lots to illustrate its concerns. “The key challenge for the pre- cinct is that, in the absence of an integrated development plan, individual landowners could pursue subdivision of their land independently, without con- sideration of the development potential or orderly develop- ment of adjoining proper- ties,” says a report to council. “This concern is demonstrat- ed by a current subdivision planning permit application (2025/299) which proposes the creation of 23 lots across two of the long lots. The proposed lots are of a size that would en- able further subdivision if the application were approved. “Replicating this form of development across mul- tiple lots within the long lots’ area would result in a poor urban design outcome,” ac- cording to the council. The preparation of a Develop- ment Plan would allow the area to transition over time to a more conventional urban sub- division pattern, they say, with an internal road network, inte- grated drainage, and an open space network that maximises lot yield whilst delivering a high- quality urban design outcome. Council says the area could yield 112 new residential allotments. Local land developer Rohan White of Inverloch, whose 23- lot subdivision application has been referenced in the council meeting preamble, has taken the unusual step of warning against council’s proposal. “It’s a reasonable idea, in the- ory, to have a plan that guides overall development in the area, but practically speaking, it will never work,” Mr White told the Sentinel-Times this week. In fact he believes the situa- tion in Bena Road is a text- book example of when a DPO should not be used, refer- encing Department of Trans- port and Planning guidelines. The owners of 17 or more unusually long blocks of residential land, in a 100-year-old subdivision along Bena Road Korumburra, have unwittingly been caught up in a planning impasse that could take decades to unravel. Inverloch named second best weekend escape in Australia INVERLOCH has been named the second best weekend get - away destination in Australia with accommodation platform Airbnb declaring 2026 the year of “weekending” for time- poor and burnt-out workers. The coastal town was pipped only by Warrnambool for the top spot giving Victo - ria a clean sweep of the top two positions in the national rankings released last week. Inverloch was described as “a charming coastal town loved for its family-friendly beaches, scenic coastal drive and calm nature walks” just two hours from Melbourne. The town offers visitors the Bunurong Marine and Coast - al Park with its dramatic rock formations at the Eagles Nest, the world-renowned Dinosaur Dreaming fossil dig site and a growing food and wine scene anchored by venues like Dirty Three Wines and Gelato Al Mare. The George Bass Coastal Walk stretches 7km from San Remo to Kilcunda offer- ing stunning clifftop views while the Inverloch Farmers Market draws crowds on the third Sunday of each month. New research commissioned by Airbnb found three in four Australian workers did not take regular holidays while nearly 90 per cent found it difficult to take time away from work. The solution was “weekend- ing” - short regional get- aways that deliver a mental reset without the planning load of a traditional holiday. The research found 91 per cent of Australians believed a week- end getaway left them feeling revitalised, sometimes even more so than a long-haul trip. Eight in 10 said short trips were less pressured and more enjoyable than long breaks while nearly 70 per cent wanted more sponta- neity in their future travel. For parents the juggle was even more pronounced with 85 per cent saying some- thing always got in the way of taking a longer break and more than half citing cost as the biggest barrier. Nearly half of working Austra- lians reported that a two to three hour drive was enough to switch off making local get- aways just as effective for rest and relaxation as trips abroad. Psychologist Sabina Read said short trips of two to four days provided enough novel expe- rience to shift the brain back into active memory making. “The stress of daily life can also lead to burnout,” Ms Read said. Visitors explore one of Inverloch’s pristine beaches. 6 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 | SOUTH GIPPSLAND SENTINEL-TIMES Working for Gippsland South dannyobrienmp.com.au Danny State Member for Gippsland South SHOP LOCAL AND SUPPORT LOCAL JOBS (03) 5144 1987 danny.obrien@parliament.vic.gov.au 54B Cunninghame St, Sale VIC 3850 dannyobrienmp O’BRIEN MP for Regional Victoria NATIONALS THE dannyobrienmp.com.au Danny State Member for Gippsland South State Member for Gippsland South Danny State Member for Gippsland South Danny SHOP LOCAL AND SUPPORT LOCAL JOBS (03) 5144 1987 danny.obrien@parliament.vic.gov.au 54B Cunninghame St, Sale VIC 3850 dannyobrienmp dannyobrienmp O’BRIEN O’BRIEN for Regional Victoria for Regional Victoria NATIONALS THE State Member for Gippsland South dannyobrienmp O’BRIEN MP for Regional Victoria Working for Gippsland South Working for Gippsland South Working for Gippsland South The largest range of custom made curtains+blinds+shutters+outdoor dc+b Wonthaggi under new management 21 Murray St, Wonthaggi Ph. 5672 2915 15% off cellular blind sale on now! +save on your energy bills JA22372 dc+b Wonthaggi 21 Murray St, Wonthaggi Ph. 5672 2915 value in every dollar complete light and privacy control at your finger tips modern modern and versatile and versatile Veri Shades Veri Shades The largest range of custom made curtains+blinds+shutters+outdoor dc+b Wonthaggi under new management 21 Murray St, Wonthaggi Ph. 5672 2915 15% off cellular blind sale on now! +save on your energy bills The largest range of custom made curtains+blinds+shutters+outdoor dc+b Wonthaggi under new management 21 Murray St, Wonthaggi Ph. 5672 2915 15% off cellular blind sale on now! +save on your energy bills THIS week, Council will consider our Ad- vocacy Priorities, the key projects we are putting forward to State and Federal Gov- ernments as essential to the future of Bass Coast. One of our most important priorities is aquatics. Across Australia, many public pools built during the post-war boom of the 1950s and 60s are now reaching the end of their life. Fol- lowing the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, com- munities across the country invested in local swimming facilities, recognising the impor- tance of water safety, recreation and commu- nity wellbeing. Those pools went on to serve generations, but many are now ageing at the same time, creating a significant infrastruc- ture challenge for councils. Here in Bass Coast, we are facing that real- ity firsthand. The Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Cen- tre in Wonthaggi has been a cornerstone of community life for more than 45 years. It is where generations of children have learned to swim, where people stay active, recover from injury and connect with others. For many, it is far more than a pool. It is part of everyday life. Unfortunately, the facility is now at the end of its life. Ageing infrastructure is limiting what the centre can deliver, and without sig- nificant investment there is a very real risk this vital community asset could be lost. Council has made the decision to redevelop the existing centre, ensuring aquatic services remain in Wonthaggi and continue to operate as a regional hub for health, wellbeing and recreation. The proposed redevelopment will deliver a modern, flexible and inclusive facility de- signed to meet the needs of our growing community. Plans include a 25-metre pool, warm water leisure and learn-to-swim pool, zero-depth water play area, spa and wellness facilities, gym and multipurpose program spaces, modern amenities, and welcoming foyer and community areas. Detailed design work is nearing comple- tion, and the project will be shovel ready once finalised, shaped by extensive commu- nity consultation. The total project cost is estimated at $45 million, and Council is seeking at least $30 million in combined State and Federal Gov- ernment funding. We simply cannot fund projects on this scale from our existing bud- gets. This is an investment in safety, health and community wellbeing. It protects swimming education for our children, supports rehabil- itation and active ageing, and ensures fami- lies have access to quality recreation close to home. The Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Cen- tre is a much-loved, heavily used facility that we simply cannot afford to lose. Mayor’s Message Cr Rochelle Halstead Council to drop concurrent pool strategy WONTHAGGI will get its new swimming pool com- plex first and Phillip Island second under a new Bass Coast Aquatic Strategy set to be adopted at Wednes- day’s council meeting. As well as adopting a “se- quenced delivery model”, that is prioritising the Won- thaggi project over the Is- land pool complex, council will also further investigate the feasibility of a redevel- opment of the current Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre facility. The redevelopment of the existing Wonthaggi centre has been costed at $43 mil- lion but is subject to further structural and site investi- gation findings. If adopted it is expected that the final plan for the Wonthaggi project will be fast tracked to be “shovel ready” for advocacy during the next state and federal election campaigns. 24 properties in new Sunderland Bay scheme HAVING abandoned a huge plan to upgrade the roads and drainage in the Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay estates in December 2023, the Bass Coast Shire Coun- cil has adopted a piecemeal approach starting with a section of The Esplanade at Sunderland Bay. At this week’s council meeting, the council will consider adopting a scheme impacting 24 property own- ers along The Esplanade between Sunderland Bay Road and Zephyr Court, asking them to pay between $12,256 and $29,783, based on benefit, to a proj- ect costing approximately $1.849 million. Council is offering to meet $1.325 million of the cost, leaving landowners to find $524,033 between them. They have until April 15 to make a submission al- though having received a pe- tition from many of the own- ers in this area to go ahead with such a scheme, few if any objections are expected. Petition raised over Reed Crescent subdivision A PETITION containing 454 signatures will be ta- bled at Wednesday’s Bass Coast Shire Council meeting potentially giving council the opportunity to revisit a decision made in September last year to allow a nine-lot subdivision of land in Reed Crescent Wonthaggi. At the time council waived the application through sub- ject to a comprehensive list of conditions with a total of 17 objections received. Despite the concerns raised including stormwater and flooding issues a report to council recommended ap- proval having considered all objections. “The proposal has been thoroughly assessed by council’s Development Ser- vices Team who have taken into consideration the lack of fall on the land the cur- rent pool of water that oc- curs when it rains and has worked with the applicant the best way to drain the area appropriately,” the re- port stated. Ahead of the meeting there is a recommendation that a report be presented to coun- cil in response to the peti- tion no later than June 17. The approved plan allows for the creation of nine new allotments each more than 2000 square metres in size. Approvals include 656-lot subdivision A FEATURE of the plan- ning permits report to the Bass Coast Shire Council, to be tabled at this week’s meeting, is approval for a 656-lot residential subdivi- sion in Wonthaggi’s north- east residential precinct. There’s also a childcare centre approved for the same part of town, a 21-lot subdivision in North Wont- haggi and a micro-brewery in Coghlan Road Cowes among a long list of building works approved for the shire. But it’s not all good news on the building and com- mercial scene with ‘Build- ing Permit Activity’ continu- ing to be subdued, with 970 permits issued for the 11 months to the end of No- vember 2025, as compared to 1077 permits in 2024. Stewart Road bridge, Kernot update SUBMISSIONS are cur- rently being assessed and the tender award report has been scheduled for Council’s March Ordinary Meeting. The Australian Govern- ment has committed $1.7 million towards the proj- ect, with Council funding the remaining portion of the $2.21 million cost. This funding allows the council to move from plan- ning into delivery - some- thing we know the commu- nity has been waiting for. COUNCIL BRIEFS Lohr Avenue ‘fatal flaw’ in one-way road plan THE Bass Coast Shire Council’s administration has come up with a plan they think can solve the problem of delivering the final sec- tion of the shared pathway, along Surf Parade Inverloch, through to the surf lifesaving club. But oh dear, local residents have pointed to an as-yet un- resolved problem that could be a fatal flaw with the plan - the possible impact on Lohr Avenue. Council is due to consider a plan at this Wednesday’s council meeting to make Surf Parade one-way, from Ozone Street through to Goroke Street, with cars allowed to continue in a westerly direc- tion from Ozone but unable to progress beyond Goroke Street coming back the other way from the Cape Paterson Inverloch Road end. The one-way change, ac- cording to the proposal, will allow the final section of the shared pathway to be com- pleted, taking into account the present beach erosion risks but the concern is that traffic directed down Goroke Street will seek to turn right into “quiet” Lohr Avenue in an effort to loop back to Ozone Street. A “no right turn” condition or traffic island might not solve the problem. All will be revealed when council considers the “one- way Surf Parade” issue at this Wednesday’s council meeting. What’s to stop traffic, diverted off Surf Parade in Inverloch by the proposed one-way, trying to find a way down “quiet” Lohr Avenue and back on to Surf Parade at Ozone Street? SOUTH GIPPSLAND SENTINEL-TIMES | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 | 7 RETHINK TAKING RISKS AROUND WATER UNSINKABLE GUY NO ONE’S UNSINKABLE To all those Unsinkable Guys out there – You might think it’s safe to have a few drinks around water, skip the life jacket when you’re out on the boat or go for a swim without checking the conditions. But statistics prove that 4 out of 5 drownings are men. Just remember that no one’s unsinkable. WHILE the fight between South Gippsland Shire Council and Korum- burra Senior Citizens Club over the un- occupied Korumburra Senior Citizens Centre rages on, councillors will on Wednesday vote on a recommendation to rezone the land on which the building sits. As reported recently in the Sentinel- Times, that is despite an ongoing legal dispute, the seniors determined to re- claim a building they argue they own. They are adamant a 1984 Trust Deed signed by representatives of the then Ko- rumburra Shire Council made council- lors trustees of the Senior Citizens Centre. The recommendation before council- lors on Wednesday is to adopt a Plan- ning Scheme Amendment to rezone land at 14 Radovick Street Korumburra from Public Use Zone to Commercial 1 Zone, and a portion of Victoria Street adjoining the subject site from Public Use Zone to General Residential Zone 1. With substantial public opposition to that proposal, 43 submissions hav- ing been received, council took the matter to a Planning Panel that subse- quently delivered a report recommend- ing council adopt the Amendment. The panel report states that rezoning the subject Radovick Street land to Commer- cial 1 Zone ties in with the aims of council’s Korumburra Town Centre Framework Plan adopted in 2013 and introduced into the Planning Scheme through a 2014 Amend- ment, with the subject land identified as a ‘Preferred Major Retail Use’ location. It is noted that 2014 Amendment did not require a panel hearing. “The Panel infers from this that there were no unresolved objections to the strategic desig- nation of this site for commercial purposes at that time,” the recent Panel report states, adding the strategic direction set out in that Amendment has not been superseded. It is stressed that the Commercial 1 Zone is not a retail only zone and does not pre- clude community use. WESTERNPORT Water is cel- ebrating the 10th year of its Prep Water Bottle Initiative continuing its commitment to health and sustain- ability across local primary schools. A total of 230 reusable stainless steel water bottles were provided to prep students at seven local primary schools in 2026 includ- ing Newhaven Primary School, Newhaven College, Cowes Primary School, San Remo Primary School, Bass Valley Primary School, Powlett River Primary School and Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School in Cowes. Since the initiative began in 2017 almost 2750 bottles have be