Throughout the 2024/25 financial year, Council recorded major internal organisational achievements which support and enhance Council’s capacity to deliver on the Council Plan’s strategic initiatives.
Stage one upgrades begin on Rokeby to Noojee Trail
A $4 million upgrade on a 15-kilometre section of the much-loved Rokeby to Noojee Trail commenced during the financial year.
Stage one upgrades from Rokeby to Neerim South aim to create a high-quality shared trail that provides excellent user experience, a safe and accessible trail, better connections between communities and more opportunities to engage with local natural vistas and historic sites.
The $4 million project includes a $3 million funding contribution by the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund.
West Gippsland Arts Centre hosts 137 performances during the year
West Gippsland Arts Centre hosted 137 performances during the year with 54 by local community theatre groups and schools.
West Gippsland Arts Centre continued to support our community with $112,650 of theatre fee subsidies given to our community theatre and education community to provide our local creative community with affordable access to a high-quality theatre and service.
Just over 49,000 ticket holders saw shows at the theatre.
West Gippsland Arts Centre continues to showcase local artists
Many incredible exhibitions were held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, showcasing local artists at various stages of their career.
The VCE Art Exhibition featured six schools from Phillip Island, Traralgon, Moe and Baw Baw Shire while the Make a Stand exhibition by Drouin artist Keira Sloetjes, showcased individual portraits of victims, survivors, family and friends and support workers of those affected by family violence.
The opening event for the Make a Stand exhibition attracted 50 people and gained media coverage during 16 Days of Activism.
New digital tourism kiosks installed in Neerim South and Yarragon
New digital tourism and community information hubs were launched in Neerim South and Yarragon.
The interactive kiosks, which are live 24/7, list information on local places to eat, drink and stay, arts and culture, as well as where to shop, popular attractions and nature trails to visit.
These kiosks are a partnership between Council, the Neerim District Community Bank and a Living Local Grant from the Victorian Government, worth more than $28,000.
Total visitor spend in Baw Baw Shire during the 2024/25 financial year was $206.6 million, which was up 2.5% on the previous financial year.
Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion officially opened
The Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion was one of Council’s largest ever recreational projects, valued at more than $12.8 million.
Baw Baw Shire Council committed $6.8 million towards the project, in addition to a $6 million contribution from the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.
The new stadium delivers much needed infrastructure for the growing Baw Baw Shire community, particularly for local basketball clubs, which boast the highest numbers of participation of any sport in Baw Baw.
The project included construction of two new indoor (basketball/netball) courts, spectator seating and a lounge viewing area, a new cafe and kitchen, referee change room, first aid room, storage facilities and public amenities including a Changing Places accessible change room.
Two major projects get underway in Drouin and Warragul
During the financial year, works commenced for two major projects in the Shire - the Drouin Recreation Reserve oval resurfacing as well as for the Copelands Road, Warragul upgrade.
The State Government contributed $1 million towards the Drouin oval resurfacing, making the total value of the project $3.3 million.The new playing surface at Drouin will eliminate current issues regarding drainage and water retention and introduce a new type of turf, TifTuf, the most drought tolerant couch grass on the market.
The $4.9 million Copelands Road upgrade, a highly anticipated road project that will cater to the rapid growth being experienced in the area, also began. As well as the upgrade of the Copelands Road surface, works will be undertaken to drainage, replacing the existing piped stormwater drainage under the road at the Moe River crossing. A footpath and a shared bicycle path between Mills Road and Lillico Road will also be added.
Major works commence in Yarragon
Works for three important projects in Yarragon got underway during this financial year – the redevelopment of Dowton Park Sporting Pavilion, major bridge works along Factory Road and Rollo Street Park.
The existing Dowton Park Sporting Pavilion was demolished to make way for a new, fit-for-purpose facility. Council, as well as both the State and Federal Governments, made contributions towards this project, which is estimated to be completed in March 2026.
Works to replace the existing timber decking and steel girder bridges across the Moe River and Contour Drain north of Yarragon at Factory Road commenced. This project is being partly funded under the Federal Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program along with a contribution by Council.
Rollo Street Park is undergoing a $1.77 million redevelopment, following a strong desire from the local community for this area to be repurposed. The project will see the vacant land of the old Yarragon Primary School transformed into a valuable community open space that accommodates passive recreation and community events. This redevelopment is expected to be completed in November 2025.
Brand new pavilion unveiled at Bellbird Park
The new multi-use pavilion and upgraded soccer pitch at Bellbird Park in Drouin was officially unveiled to the community.
The Bellbird Park East pavilion and new carpark project is valued at $4.97 million, with a Council contribution of $2.97 million and a $2 million contribution from the Victorian Government through its Growing Suburbs Fund.
The new soccer pitch was also delivered thanks to equal contributions of $800,000 each from Council and from the Victorian Government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund- Female Friendly Facilities stream.
Baxter Park Pavilion officially opened following $3 million upgrade
The newly redeveloped pavilion at Warragul’s Baxter Park was officially opened following a $3 million transformation.
The redeveloped pavilion included new female friendly player and official changerooms, a club office area, storage facilities, a first aid room, accessible public and spectator toilets, a pitch lighting upgrade and an improved carpark.
The $3 million project at Baxter Park was jointly funded by all three levels of Government, including a $1.9 million contribution from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program towards the entire project, a $1 million contribution from the State Government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund towards the pavilion upgrade (Female Friendly Facilities Stream) and a $42,000 contribution from Baw Baw Shire Council.
Noojee community celebrates a big year for the region
Noojee locals celebrated a successful year for the project dedicated to helping the region continue its transition away from native timber harvesting.
The Noojee Forestry Transition Project runs quarterly community events, with an average attendance of more than 80 community members who receive updates on the progress of the project while building and supporting their social networks. The Noojee Forestry Transition has received more than $1 million dollars in grants to help support the community with the transition.
Since the announcement in 2023, Council has been committed to working with the community, as well as with the State Government, to identify other economic opportunities and areas for growth, to ensure economic sustainability.
The Forestry Transition Project includes three working groups that feed into the strategic direction of Noojee.
These working groups are:
- The Noojee Eco Community Working Group
- The Specialised Agricultural Industry Development Working Group
- The Power and Connectivity Reliability Working Group.
The Noojee Forestry Transition Project is supported by the Victorian Government’s Local Development Strategy Grants Program and Community Development Fund.
Council to repatriate First Nations artwork to Traditional Custodians
Baw Baw Shire Council made a history making move as it began the process of repatriating 37 cultural items back to the Lardil People of Mornington Island, Queensland.
Council officially released the items from its Municipal Civic Art Collection in August 2025 and repatriated the Indigenous Australian Ancestral Remains and Secret Sacred Objects to their true owners.
The 37 items originally came to Warragul in 1982 with former local family Colin and Elizabeth Goldberg. Colin was honoured as an Elder of the Lardil people and the items were a mix of gifts and purchased works which theythen gifted to the West Gippsland Arts Centre.