Council Meeting wrap - February 2026

Published on 19 February 2026

The awarding of the tender for flood betterment works across the Gannawarra and discussions regarding waste management highlighted the first Gannawarra Shire Council meeting for 2026.

Held at The Glasshouse, Kerang on 18 February, the meeting saw Council award Eco Infrastructure & Engineering Pty Ltd the tender for close to $700,000 of improvements to Council-managed roads, drains and other infrastructure to reduce the risk of disruptions to services and connections during future flood-related events.

The works, supported by $1 million from the Federal and State governments under the Disaster Flood Recovery Arrangements Betterment Fund, will focus on five projects throughout the municipality, with improvements to flood mitigating infrastructure at Knight Road, Quambatook recently completed as part of the Sustainable Recreation Water for Quambatook project.

Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to help shape the future of Council’s waste management practices after the draft Gannawarra Resource Recovery and Waste Management Strategy 2025-2035 was approved to proceed to the community engagement phase of its development.

The document, which aligns with state resource recovery targets and other polices and regulations including requirements, aims to improve waste management and drive greater resource recovery across the Gannawarra.

The review of the draft strategy coincides with the release of a survey that seeks feedback from residents regarding household waste and recycling habits, service preferences, and opportunities for improvement. The survey will be distributed to all properties in the municipality in the next two weeks, with responses to the survey to be used to ensure that the expanded services outlined in the draft strategy are delivered in ways that best meet the community’s needs.

Councillors also agreed to not commit at this time to the implementation of a mandatory, standalone kerbside glass recycling service by 1 July 2027, with investigations to occur regarding the alternative and complementary approaches to glass diversion across the municipality, including but not limited to expanded drop-off facilities, recovery partnerships, and other non-kerbside options, where they provide effective, accessible, and cost-efficient outcomes.

Other outcomes of the meeting included:

The endorsement of the revised Welcome to Country Video Clip Protocol.
Approval for a recommendation enabling Council to obtain formal valuation of properties within the Macorna estate and write to landowners outlining the option to surrender parcels of land in this estate.
Noting the information in the report as it relates to the implementation of the Koondrook and District Local Development Strategy, and endorsing the strategy as a locally-developed plan.
Receiving and noting of the report outlining the 2025/2026 Quarterly Budget Report as of 31 December 2025, including the budget amendments for the financial year to date.
Receiving and noting the report on activities and performance of the Leitchville War Memorial Swimming Pool Community Asset Committee, Quambatook Caravan Park Community Asset Committee and Community Halls Community Asset Committee.
Adopting the Addendum to the Gannawarra Urban Growth Strategy 2023.
The endorsement of the delegating of powers, duties and functions to Council staff holding, acting in or performing the duties of the officers or positions referred to in the Instrument of Delegation to members of Council staff.
Endorsement of the following revised policies - Information Privacy and Health Records, Email, Internet and Intranet Management, and Diversity.
Rescinding the Abuse and Neglect policy.
Endorsement of an item of urgent business relating to the Koondrook Caravan Park after Council received notification that the current lessees will be relinquishing the lease of the site from April 2026. As part of this urgent item, the land the caravan park is located on will continue to be used as a caravan park, with Council to arrange interim operations for the site from April 2026 until new lease operations begin operation. Council will also review all arrangements and assets on-site, with a report to be presented to Councillors.

For more information, including a link to the video from this meeting and minutes, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/meetings