JULY
Two Baw Baw Shire councillors declared they were "retiring" and not seeking re-election at elections later in the year while two others were sitting on the fence as to whether they would run again. East Ward councillor Peter Kostas and West Ward's Keith Cook both announced they would not nominate again after many years of service while mayor Anne-Marie McCabe and Cr Jazmin Tauru were both yet to recommit.
The family of Drouin man Russell Hill were devastated when a not guilty verdict was handed down in the Supreme Court in Melbourne. It followed a jury finding Greg Lynn of Caroline Springs guilty of the murder of Pakenham woman Carol Clay but not guilty over the death of Mr Hill. The duo had gone missing while camping in the Wonnangatta Valley in March 2020.
Trafalgar's second oval was given a second chance as part of a decision to sell the town's old shire offices. All proceeds from the sale were to be directed to the new oval after a four to three vote at Wednesday's council meeting. Cr Darren Wallace said the Trafalgar community had a "certain level of ownership" of the former Narracan Shire building and having the oval cut from the recent budget, "their restraint and good grace would be out the window" if funds from its sale went into council's general revenue.
Locals gathered at the West Gippsland Arts Centre forecourt in early July for the official opening of the Baw Baw Shire's NAIDOC week celebrations. The 2024 NAIDOC week theme was "Keep the fire burning, Blak, Loud and Proud." Kurnai elder Cheryl Drayton performed the Welcome to Country and led a smoking ceremony.
Baw Baw residents were to have their say about council operations in the annual satisfaction survey that kicked off in July. The State Government's annual program samples resident sentiment four times a year to try and provide a consistent measure of community satisfaction over a 12 month period.
Drouin footballers had one million reasons to smile despite being caked in mud when they trudged off their ground over the weekend following an announcement of a grant to help fund the $4.1 million upgrade works. Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing announced the grant in front of a small group of committee members. Ms Shing also pledged $272,000 for a LED lighting upgrade at Bellbird Park, boosting training opportunities for Drouin Dragon Soccer Club players. Resurfacing works on the football ground were set to begin at the end of the football season.
Scope was set to be forced to temporarily vacate its Warragul home in July for building works. The safety upgrades were not scheduled until the 25/26 financial year but Baw Baw Shire advised that the George Street building would be closed for up to three months at various intervals. The works were estimated to cost $202,000.
Baw Baw Shire's mayor Annemarie McCabe and Cr Leaney pressed the shire's and local government's needs during a three day visit to Canberra. They were among more than 1200 representatives of local government bodies Australia wide that attended the Australian Local Government Association's general assembly and conference. Cr McCabe described the trip as an important milestone for council's advocacy efforts.
A bike pump track was proposed for vacant land next to the Warragul skatepark in Burke Street. The suggestion by the newly formed cycling projects reference group (CPRG) gained unanimous support at the most recent council meeting. Site investigations were approved by councillors as well as the development of a concept design to be taken at the site. A bike pump track is a purpose built circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed to be ridden by riders. Despite a bike pump track coming with a $400,000 - $500,000 price tag, an officer report labelled the project "more affordable and achievable" as it would link in with existing park pathways, toilets, car parking, seating and shade.
AUGUST
Gazette journalist Bonnie Collings reported in August of a life changing road closure for residents of Poowong East. Following a storm in August 2022 a section of Main South Road between Waterfall Road and Schmidt's Road was to be temporarily closed due to a landslip.
Two years later, the road was still closed causing up to an extra 40 minutes of commuting time for some local residents.
A new Catholic primary school for Drouin was announced in August with a targeted opening date of 2027. The State Government has allocated $12 million toward the cost of the first two stages of the project in Illawarra Blvd - in the rapidly developing Ferntree Ridge estate on the south side of town. The new school, on a site bought by the church 12 months ago will be named the Saint Oscar Romero Primary School and it envisaged to have 400-500 students.
Patients were having to queue for a bed at West Gippsland Hospital as it was straining under a surge of respiratory illnesses. Chief executive officer Dan Weeks said people, including those with "more severe" illnesses, were waiting about 24 hours to get a bed in a ward. Although the hospital's emergency department attendances are at about 480-500 each week, Mr Weeks said the problem was that the hospital beds were full.
A Fumina South man was arrested in relation to an alleged hit and run collision in Waterloo Rd, Trafalgar. It followed a man's body being located by a passing motorist on the side of the road at about 10am on Sunday, July 28. The identity of the man remained a mystery for most of the previous week, however police were able to confirm the man was a 53 year old from Morwell. Police said the Fumina man self-presented at a police station on Tuesday night.
A $2.5 million tender to resurface the Drouin Recreation Reserve was awarded in August - significantly reducing the original $4.1 million project cost.
However, the predicted savings will be directed to Drouin streetscape works rather than Trafalgar's second oval development. Baw Baw Shire councillors awarded the contract to Evergreen Turf Group at the most recent council meeting.
Statistics revealed that while Drouin's population was growing fastest, Warragul remained the "hub" of local crime. Warragul saw 2184 crimes reported in the previous 12 months - a 13.5 per cent rise on the previous year. Drouin saw roughly half the crime, its 1161 crimes up by 8.5 on the previous year. Trafalgar and Yarragon saw decreases in crime figures, however Longwarry saw a 36.7 percent jump to190 crimes. Baw Baw psa inspector, Peter Fusinato said Drouin might have been a "hot spot" for aggravated burglary and theft but "Warragul is a hub, no doubt about it."
An ATM heist in Longwarry left a trail of destruction in August. Police alleged that three offenders were organised and prepared when they smashed a stolen tow truck into the IGA supermarket in Kennedy street before wrapping a chain around the ATM. Using the crane attached to the truck, the ATM was ripped from the building and dragged south along Koo Wee Rup-Longwarry Rd
It was announced that the final quarter of 2025 was to be the latest target for a start on a social project to provide 51 apartments in Warragul. When announced in May of 2023 it was expected the project would be completed in 2024 however, Housing Choices Australia told The Gazette, that the $16 million Mason Street project would be "ready to welcome residents in the first quarter of 2026."
A nude motorcyclist sustained serious injuries in August after a single vehicle crash at Toorongo Falls. Police said the 34 year old St Albans man was airlifted from Noojee to Royal Melbourne Hospital after the crash at about 4.10 pm. The man's injuries included two collapsed lungs, elbow and shin fractures and hand injuries. He was placed in a coma after being airlifted to hospital.
School was announced to be back for Neerim families with five years of community campaigning being rewarded. Minister for Education Ben Carroll announced to The Gazette that Neerim District Rural Primary School at Nayook would reopen in 2025. It came after 17 students expressed an interest in enrolling. "This is a win for local families who are choosing public education," Mr Carroll said.
SEPTEMBER
Extreme weather events left a trail of destruction across West Gippsland over a week long period with trees toppled, buildings damaged and multiple towns left without power. While residents had a taste of the fierce weather throughout the week, the main even came in the early hours of Monday, September 2when 124 km per hour winds rocked the region.
Trampolines, barbecues, outdoor furniture and wheelie bins went on unplanned adventures as the destructive wind howled.
It was a special Father's Day in the Van Kaathhoven home this year. Giving their dad Jeremy an extra special hug for Father's Day was Mavis, 9 and Fletcher 11 who worked together after he had a sudden and frightening seizure at their Warragul home.
Claims of bullying, appalling behaviour and a "boys' club" mentality were made against Baw Baw Shire councillors. Mayor Annemarie McCabe used her final mayoral minute to air her allegations and urge residents to know "who the candidates really are" and "disregard those who are stuck in the past" before voting in next month's local government elections.
Steps towards a new West Gippsland Hospital progressed with the advertisement of the State Government's intention to rezone land at Drouin East to facilitate the development. An advertisement in The Gazette announced the Victorian Health Building Authority, on behalf of the Department of Health, will request Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny amend Baw Baw Shire's planning scheme to allow development of a new hospital on land at the corner of Lardners Trk and Princes Way.
Former livestock agent Nathan Gibbon pleaded guilty to two charges relating to livestock fraud to the value of almost $235,000. Mr Gibbon, 50, of Lardner, also pleaded guilty to a third charge of handling stolen goods but entered a not guilty plea to a Commonwealth charge of allegedly conspiring to cause a loss to the Australian Taxation Office to the value of $272,360.
Mr Gibbon appeared before Magistrate Donna Bakos at Melbourne Magistrates' Court last Monday for a committal hearing.
Buln Buln took out the ultimate football prize, winning back-to-back premierships in the Ellinbank and District Football Netball League and being crowned premiers and champions capping off an undefeated season. In the A grade netball, spectators were treated to an epic grand final between Nilma Darnum and the undefeated Neerim-Neerim South.
With Nilma Darnum clearly having the crowd support as the Bombers headed towards victory in the last quarter, celebrations erupted on court for the club's first A grade premiership since 1986.
A day filled with icy cold blasts, downpours and late sunshine did not deter local football and netball supporters with the league reporting a crowd slightly up on last year attending Yarragon's Dowton Park.
There were two ticks and a lot of crosses in a report card rating Baw Baw Shire's performance. The annual Community Satisfaction Survey has been released, showing a quarter of respondents believed council's performance had deteriorated in the past 12 months.
Survey results recommended increased transparency in decision making and improving sealed road maintenance should be a focus to boost community satisfaction.
A 64-year-old Noojee man died in a shooting incident while hunting with a group of people at Noojee on Saturday morning. Police are investigating the shooting incident that occurred in bushland off Loch Valley Rd. The man sustained an upper body injury and died at the scene.
Twenty three candidates put their names up for election in the Baw Baw Shire Council elections including eight in Central Ward, eight in East Ward and seven in West Ward.
A performance review resulted in a one-year contract extension for Baw Baw Shire chief executive officer Mark Dupe. Mayor Annemarie McCabe announced Mr Dupe's contract would be renewed to May 31, 2026, following a confidential performance review.