East Gippsland Shire Council is calling on residents to help shape how the region’s bushland, wetlands and natural spaces will be protected and managed over the next decade.
The feedback will contribute directly to the development of the council’s new 10-year Natural Reserves Management Strategy.
The strategy aims to guide the prioritisation, protection and maintenance of council-managed natural areas, which are vital for conserving local biodiversity, supporting cultural heritage and offering spaces for community connection and low-impact recreation.
According to council, community knowledge and experience are essential to ensuring the final strategy aligns with local values.
Through the consultation process, council hopes to understand how residents utilise these spaces, identify ongoing issues and explore future opportunities for community partnerships in reserve management.
The project is focused solely on council-managed natural reserves.
These are protected natural areas managed by the local council to conserve wildlife while allowing low-impact public uses, such as birdwatching, walking on bush tracks, or utilising picnic areas.
Core requirements of the strategy include a strict focus on the protection and enhancement of biodiversity values (ecological condition), alongside adhering to all relevant legal and regulatory obligations.
Areas outside the scope of this strategy include fire management activities, as well as recreational spaces and actions already addressed under the East Gippsland Open Space Strategy 2025–2035.
Community members can participate by completing an online survey or providing feedback on an interactive map available on the council’s engagement website.
For those wishing to discuss their priorities in person, council is hosting drop-in sessions this week:
Mallacoota Service Centre: Wednesday, July 29 2026 (today), from 9.30am-12pm
Orbost Service Centre: Wednesday, July 29 2026 (today), from 2pm-5pm
For residents unable to attend these initial sessions, a council staff member will be available all day to assist and answer questions on the following dates:
Mallacoota Service Centre: Tuesday, August 11 2026 (all day)
Orbost Service Centre: Thursday, August 13 2026 (all day)
