What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
East Gippsland's direction is set by its Community Vision 2040 and the Council Plan 2025–29, adopted on 23 June 2025. The council says more than 4,000 people contributed to the plan. The Council Plan includes the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, and staff report progress on its actions to the council every three months.
The council's stated vision is 'To foster inclusive, connected, communities and places where all East Gippslanders prosper, and endeavour not to leave anyone behind'. The Council Plan has four strategic themes: Community Wellbeing and Social Responsibility; Prosperity; Making the Most of What We've Got; and Managing Council Well. The council is also preparing district place plans, starting with the Omeo District.
The 2026–27 budget, adopted on 23 June 2026, raises average rates by 2.5% and includes $54.4 million of capital works ($22.7m from grants and external contributions), with $36m for renewing existing assets. It includes $1.5m of savings and efficiency measures and $483,000 in council pensioner rebates. Named projects include the Bairnsdale Airport runway extension and lighting upgrade, the final stage of the WORLD sporting precinct in Bairnsdale, stage 2 of the Krauatungalung Walk in Lakes Entrance, bridge replacements including the Howitt Park pedestrian bridge, and generators for community facilities.
- East Gippsland Shire Council — Council Plan 2025–29 (PDF) · Jun 2025
- East Gippsland Shire Council — Council Plan (page, quarterly progress reports) · Sep 2026
- East Gippsland Shire Council — Budget 2026–27 (PDF) · 2026–27
- East Gippsland Shire Council — Council adopts “careful and financially sustainable” Budget (24 Jun 2026) · Jun 2026
Underway now
Howitt Park pedestrian bridge replacement, Bairnsdale
Bridge closed from 14 September 2026; completion expected December 2026The timber suspension bridge over Clifton Creek is being replaced with a single-span, 3.2-metre-wide steel and concrete bridge that is accessible to wheelchairs, mobility aids and prams. The $652,420 contract was awarded in August 2026. The Howitt Park boat ramp stays open during the works.
Source: East Gippsland Shire Council — Howitt Park pedestrian bridge upgrade to start 14 September
Omeo District Place Plan
Draft open for feedback until 2 October 2026The first of a series of district-level plans across East Gippsland, developed over 10 months with the Omeo District community. The draft focuses on health services, education, housing, employment, social connection, environmental care and emergency preparedness.
Source: East Gippsland Shire Council — Draft Omeo District Place Plan open for community feedback
Planned / committed
Food and garden organics (FOGO) collection and composting facility
FOGO 'progressively during 2028' (council page); 'from 2027' (Nov 2025 plan announcement)Under its 10-Year Waste and Recycling Services Transition Plan, adopted in November 2025, the council plans a weekly FOGO kerbside service, wider kerbside collection including rural areas, and booked hard waste collections. It proposes a composting facility next to the Bairnsdale Landfill at Forge Creek that could process up to 25,000 tonnes of food and garden organics a year.
Recently delivered
Slip Road Maritime Precinct, Paynesville
Officially opened September 2026Delivered in stages under the Paynesville Maritime Precinct Masterplan: road connections, a seawall and boardwalk, then floating jetties and a boat ramp. Funding of more than $13 million included more than $7 million from the council, more than $5 million from the Victorian Government and $1 million from the Australian Government.
Source: East Gippsland Shire Council — Paynesville's Maritime Precinct sets sail
Council IQ data dashboard and new website
Launched August 2026An online dashboard of the council's data, decisions and performance, launched with a redesigned council website; both were built in-house. The council says a website chatbot is being developed.
Source: East Gippsland Shire Council — New initiative puts transparency at the fingertips of community