As part of the Shaping South Gippsland engagement, Council is seeking your feedback on:

• South Gippsland Community Vision 2040
  This provides an overview of the long-term direction for South Gippsland. 
  
  
• South Gippsland Council Plan 2025 - 2029
  This will direct Council activity and initiatives over the next four years.
  
  
• South Gippsland Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 
  
  
• South Gippsland's Advocacy Priorities

Each section of the survey will take no more than five minutes (max) to complete.

The South Gippsland Community Vision was created in 2021 following extensive community engagement. The Vision expresses community aspirations for South Gippsland from 2021 until 2040. It is reviewed with each incoming Council. 

To help us Shape South Gippsland, we would like to know if the current Vision still reflects our community’s hope for the future of our region. 

You can do this by letting us know how much you support - or oppose - each of the Vision priorities on the following pages.

Priority: A Healthy, Connected and Engaged Community

1. Our community is engaged, informed and there are opportunities for all.

2. Our health services and professionals are well-supported, with physical and mental health services being accessible to all.

3. Our community has equal access to healthy lifestyle opportunities, social supports and health prevention initiatives.

4. Our community shows care and respect towards every member, listening and looking out for the safety, wellbeing and equality of all.

5. Our community has a strong sense of unity and cooperation, and there are social supports in place for our vulnerable.

6. Our community embraces diversity and accessibility, and is welcoming of newcomers.

7. Our neighbourhoods offer affordable housing options and we advocate for housing access for all.

8. Our volunteers are supported and applauded, with succession planning to ensure the longevity of our community groups.

9. Our activities promote a sense of belonging and fun, and we have plenty to do for all people regardless of age and ability.

Priority: Sustainability and Climate Change

1. Our community is resilient and ready to face future environmental challenges.

2. Our farmland is a leading food bowl of Victoria; our high quality produce is sustainably grown and creates food security.

3. Our agricultural industries use regenerative land management practices to ensure the long-term viability of our land.

4. Our natural resources are used sustainably with a long-term timeframe in mind.

5. Our industries are innovative, diverse and sustainable, and bring clear benefits to our community.

6. To become carbon positive, our community has reduced its carbon footprint through a range of practices including clean energy choices and sustainable technology infrastructure.

7. Our economy has robust waste reduction and diversion practices. We support our community to become resilient and better prepared for climatic and extreme weather events.

Priority: Shaping Our Future

1. Our population and housing growth is sustainable, well-planned and is supported by appropriate infrastructure.

2. Our unique lifestyle is maintained through planning schemes that promote sensitive development and allotment of spaces for affordable housing, along with preserving and increasing native vegetation.

3. Our open spaces, multi-purpose ‘hubs’ and creative spaces encourage our community to congregate and connect.

4. Our economic development makes sustainable use of existing and local resources.

5. Our transport systems and roads have been carefully planned, are safe and well maintained and have appropriate speed limits to minimise injury to our
   people and wildlife.

6. Our well-planned and connected walking and cycling tracks and convenient public transport options get us where we need to go.

7. Our decision making is transparent and we welcome participation, collaboration and consultation in decisions that affect the community.

8. We preserve and acknowledge our unique and diverse cultural heritage of people and place with reconciliation in mind.

Priority: Enhanced Natural Environment and Cultural Heritage

1. Our care for our natural environment and waterways encourages generational connections to the natural world around us.

2. The story of our Indigenous heritage is owned and led by our First Peoples, and is proudly embraced across South Gippsland.

3. Our native bushland is protected and strengthened through initiatives such as rate relief for bush areas, covenants and a Shire-wide approach to revegetation.

4. Our community is educated and informed about weed and pest management.

5. Our coastal landscapes are sustainably developed and protected.

6. Our wildlife connectivity is encouraged through extensive tree canopies, healthy waterways and habitat corridors.

7. Our historic buildings and features are enhanced and protected, adding to our
   unique character.

Priority: A Destination to Live, Visit and Enjoy

1. Our public spaces, facilities and amenities are multipurpose and support community connection.

2. Our thriving businesses are adding to the uniqueness of our towns and adapting to changing conditions.

3. Our education opportunities attract and retain skills in our community.

4. Our diverse local economy and industry is strong, with jobs for youth, connected to education pathways locally and a reason for young people to want to stay.

5. Our vibrant arts scene welcomes, connects, and inspires.

6. Our community is digitally connected through reliable internet and mobile phone coverage, and is supported to access technology.

7. Our ecotourism is sought after and encourages an appreciation of our natural
   features.

8. Our town centres are vibrant and lively places that are friendly, inclusive, clean and safe.

South Gippsland Shire Council is creating a new four-year Council Plan that will span 2025 - 2029. The Plan is one of Council’s most important documents as it sets Council's direction and the initiatives that will be delivered. We seek your feedback to ensure it will meet the needs of our community.

Every year Council adopts a list of advocacy priorities in order to seek funding and support from the State and/or Federal Government.

You can view full details and advocacy asks here:
https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/advocacy

Please indicate how much you agree/disagree with each of these advocacy priorities:

The following sections asks a little bit about you. We ask these questions to help us ensure that we are hearing from all sections of our community.