Further updates will be provided on YourSay following the Council Election on 26 October 2024, and the questions/feedback tab will be reinstated.

From 12.00 noon Tuesday 17 September until 6.00 pm on Saturday 26 October (Election Day) we will be in the Local Government Election Period (also known as Caretaker Period).

During this time, we will limit our printed communications, website content, social media activity, and community consultations. The ability for people to comment on our social media content will also be disabled during the Election Period.

Each of these steps is to ensure our content does not affect voting in the election and is consistent with steps taken by other Victorian Councils and the Local Government Act 2020.

These changes are only temporary; we'll be back to normal communication activity after the election.

Development of concept designs to accommodate the functional requirements of each user group and additional elements for wider community usage are nearing completion.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank local community members for their significant contribution to the development of the plans; boasting representation from the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club, Kingfisher Dragon Boat Club, Paynesville Coast Guard, and Paynesville Business and Tourism Association, the group have spent many personal hours dedicated to this project.

Recognising the importance of this redevelopment project to the Paynesville community and the broader East Gippsland region, a funding application was submitted to the Commonwealth Growing Regions Fund in December 2023.

Unfortunately, this funding application was unsuccessful. We remain committed to advancing this important project and have recently submitted another funding application to the State Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

The plans were recently reviewed by an external independent panel of experts with experience in best practice in community recreation facility design. Outcomes of the review will help to ensure the plans are well-designed, viable, and sustainable, contributing to the success and longevity of the proposed redevelopment.

Community feedback is integral to ensuring the revitalisation of this valued facility aligns with the diverse needs and desires of our vibrant community. That’s why we have worked closely with the Project Reference Group which includes community representatives.

The plans will be made available to the wider community following the Council election (Council is limited in the community engagement it can undertake during the period leading up to the election 17 September 2024 to 26 October 2024).

We welcome your continued interest in this project. Please sign up to follow this project on YourSay to receive valuable information directly to your inbox.

The Project Reference Group has been meeting monthly since it was established in July 2023. They have been working with the Project Supervisor and architects to develop initial concept designs which accommodate stakeholder requirements and community interest.

Development of the concept designs has to include requirements and considerations, such as storage for boats (heights and lengths), and significant progress has been made already.

Council officers are currently writing a submission to the Commonwealth Growing Regions Fund for sufficient funding to see completion of both the Paynesville Foreshore and the redevelopment of the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club. The submission process is significant, and an outcome will not be known until 2024.

We have received significant interest from people who are interested in joining the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club Renewal Project Reference Group (PRG).

Thank you to all of the people who have expressed their interest in joining the PRG and taking the time to submit their application. Our Project team are in the middle of reviewing all applications and contacting those selected to join the group. Please note that there is a limited number of spots and not all of the applicants will be chosen due to the extremely high level of interest.

In the meantime, we encourage your continued interest in this project and welcome your participation in community consultation and engagement scheduled throughout the delivery of this project. Dates and times will be advised on YourSay, when available.

Thank you for your understanding, and we extend our best wishes for your continued engagement in this project.

Copies of the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club Renewal project information sheet are available at the Paynesville Service Centre. Please visit our friendly team and ask for a copy.