Council's 2025/26 Christmas, New Year arrangements

Published on 11 December 2025

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Residents and visitors will be able to stay connected with Gannawarra Shire Council during the Christmas holidays, thanks to online resources and an emergency contact number.

A full list of service changes was published in the 9 December edition of the Gannawarra Times and the 11 December edition of the Koondrook Barham Bridge. These changes can also be viewed at the bottom of this media release.

“Christmas and New Year is a special time for the Gannawarra, with many visitors expected to spend their time during this period with family and friends locally,” Mayor Garner Smith said.

“It is also a special time for our dedicated staff, with alternative arrangements in place to ensure they can also enjoy this memorable time of year with their loved ones.”

Some of the key changes that will be in place during the Christmas-New Year period include:

  • Council’s Customer Service Centres will be closed from 2pm Wednesday, 24 December and re-open Friday, 2 January. VicRoads services via the Cohuna Customer Service Centre and V/Line bookings via the Kerang Customer Service Centre will not be available during this period.
  • Kerang’s Sir John Gorton Library will be closed Wednesday, 24 December, with all library branches to resume between Friday, 2 January and Monday, 12 January, depending on location.
  • The Cohuna and Kerang transfer stations will be closed on Friday, 26 December, with all other opening times occurring as scheduled.
  • The Cohuna and Kerang swimming pools will be closed on Thursday, 25 December and will operate during the hours of 12pm-7pm on Friday, 26 December and Thursday, 1 January. Morning laps programs will not occur on these dates.
  • The Kerang Exercise Pool will close at 12 noon Wednesday, 24 December and reopen 7am Monday, 5 January.
  • Kerbside waste and recycling collection services scheduled for Thursday, 25 December will occur on Saturday, 27 December.
  • Kerbside waste and recycling collection services scheduled for Thursday, 1 January will occur on Saturday, 3 January.
  • The Gannawarra Shire Children’s Centre will close at 6pm Tuesday, 23 December and re-open at 8am Tuesday, 6 January.

During this period, residents will be able to keep connected in the following ways:

  • Reporting any problems or issues that require further investigation at any time by visiting www.gsc.vic.gov.au/request
  • Reporting any emergencies to 0409 022 920.
  • Emailing council@gsc.vic.gov.au at any time.
  • Following Council’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/gannawarra - which will feature up to date information, including extensions to swimming pool opening hours, heat health alerts, Total Fire Ban declarations and publication of other details.

“These options to contact Council are available at any time, not just during the Christmas and New Year period,” Mayor Smith said.

“My fellow Councillors and I, as well as all Council staff, wish all residents and visitors a Merry Christmas and an enjoyable holiday season. We look forward to working with you during 2026 on various initiatives and solving local issues.”

Service changes during the 2025/26 Christmas-New Year period

Children's Services

The Gannawarra Shire Children’s Services Office will close at 2pm Wednesday, 24 December and reopen at 8am Monday, 5 January.

 

Cohuna Customer Service Centre

The Cohuna Customer Service Centre will close at 2pm Wednesday, 24 December and reopen 10am Friday, 2 January.

For VicRoads service enquiries during this period, phone 13 11 71 or visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

For local laws and animal control emergencies only, please phone 0409 022 920.

Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre, Cohuna

The Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre will be closed on the following days:

  • Thursday, 25 December.
  • Friday, 26 December.
  • Thursday, 1 January.

Operating hours for other dates are as follows:

  • Saturday, 27 December and Sunday, 28 December: Open 10am –1pm.
  • Monday, 29 December 2024 to Wednesday, 31 December: Open 10am –1pm.

The Centre will return to normal trading hours on Friday, 2 January.

Cohuna Library

The Cohuna Library will close at 4pm Monday, 22 December and reopen at 10am Friday, 2 January.

Cohuna Swimming Pool

The Cohuna Swimming Pool will be closed on Thursday, 25 December.

The pool will be open between 12 noon-7pm on Friday, 26 December and Thursday, 1 January. Lap swimming sessions scheduled for these dates will not occur.

Normal opening hours will occur on all other days. For more information, please click here.

Please note that this pool will be closed on days the forecast maximum temperature 23 degrees Celsius or below.

Cohuna Transfer Station

The Cohuna Transfer Station will be closed on Friday, 26 December. All other opening times will occur as scheduled.

For more information, including opening times, please click here.

Immunisations

Immunisation sessions will be held at Cohuna and Kerang on Wednesday, 7 January. Bookings are essential, which can be done by phoning Council on (03) 5450 9333 during business hours.

Kerang Customer Service Centre

The Kerang Customer Service Centre will close at 2pm Wednesday, 24 December and reopen at 8.30am Friday, 2 January.

For V/Line ticket enquiries during this period, phone 1800 800 007 or visit www.vline.com.au

For local laws and animal control emergencies only, please phone 0409 022 920.

Kerang Exercise Pool

The Kerang Exercise Pool, located in Patchell Plaza, will close at 12 noon Wednesday, 24 December and will reopen 7am Monday, 5 January.

 

Gannawarra Shire Children's Centre, Kerang

The Gannawarra Shire Children’s Centre will close at 6pm Monday, 22 December and will reopen at 8am Tuesday, 6 January.

 

Sir John Gorton Library, Kerang

The Sir John Gorton Library, Kerang will close at 5pm Tuesday, 23 December and reopen at 10am Friday, 2 January.

 

Kerang Swimming Pool

The Kerang Swimming Pool will be closed on Thursday, 25 December.

The pool will be open between 12 noon-7pm on Friday, 26 December and Thursday, 1 January.

Normal opening hours will occur on all other days. For more information, please click here.

Please note that this pool will be closed on days the forecast maximum temperature 23 degrees Celsius or below.

Kerang Transfer Station

The Kerang Transfer Station will be closed on Friday, 26 December. All other opening times will occur as scheduled.

For more information, including opening times, please click here.

Kerbside waste and recycling collection services<

The following changes to waste and recycling collection services will be in place:

  • Thursday, 25 December: Collections will occur on Saturday, 27 December.
  • Thursday, 1 January: Collections will occur on Saturday, 3 January.

Waste and recycling collections scheduled for all other days will occur as per usual arrangements.

Leitchville Library

The Leitchville Library will close at 4.30pm Tuesday, 23 December and reopen at 1.30pm Tuesday, 6 January.

Local Laws/Animal Control

For local laws and animal control emergencies only, please phone 0409 022 920.

Maternal and Child Health

Maternal and Child Health Centres will be closed from 2pm Wednesday, 24 December and will reopen on Monday, 5 January.

For information, advice or support contact:

Maternal & Child Health Line 24-hour - 13 22 29

Parent Line - 13 22 89

Breastfeeding Helpline - 1800 686 268

Nurse on Call - 1300 60 60 24

For urgent matters please contact your local GP or Hospital.

Quambatook Library

The Quambatook Library will close at 2pm Friday, 19 December and reopen at 9am Monday, 12 January.

 

 

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