Orbost was the first stop on East Gippsland Shire Councillors’ community visits program for the year, spending the day in town last Tuesday with community leaders and residents about what is important to them.
The day started with a business morning tea at Built QA in Newmerella, a locally owned business co-founded by Lachlan Heather and Luke Priestley who have teamed up with Dahlsens to produce light gauge steel framing.
Mayor Cr John White praised the start-up’s progress, highlighting its innovative approach and the positive impact on the community.
The group observed first-hand how raw steel product is processed into wall framing components, the significant labour and time required to construct each frame and discussed the positive employment opportunities this creates.
“This is one of the really good news stories for Orbost, so far. You’ve transitioned and you are now employing many locals who lost their jobs in the timber industry closure. Well done,” Cr White said.
The group visited several key council-run sites and met with staff around the community including the Orbost Service Centre, Orbost Waste Transfer Station, Orbost Recreation Reserve and Lochiel Park.
The group had the opportunity to speak with Orbost Snowy Rovers Football Netball Club president, Royston Nettleton, about the club’s future plans.
These include demolishing the old change rooms, building new netball facilities and public toilets, upgrading the netball courts and sealing the curb and channel along the roads surrounding Lochiel Park.
The group expressed their gratitude to all the locals who joined them for the community lunch at the Orbost Arts Centre.
“We enjoyed connecting with you and hearing your thoughts and ideas for the community’s future,” Cr White said.
A few key topics raised during the day included:
– The condition of footpaths, drainage and road surfacing
– Road and pedestrian congestion around Orbost Community College
– Garden maintenance scheduling and frequency
– The future of the Slab Hut and Orbost Arts Centre
“While not every idea can be acted on immediately, please know that we are actively listening, learning, and prioritising areas that will help shape our community’s future,” Cr White said.
“Your input plays a vital role in guiding our planning and decision-making to create meaningful, positive outcomes for everyone who lives and works in the region.”
The group also made a visit to the iconic Orbost Visitor Information Centre (Slab Hut), a walk along Nicholson Street to inspect the streetscape, and a productive meeting with the Future of Orbost and District
Project Governance Group before taking a look at the works completed at the Snowy Railway Bridge on the way out of town.
There will be more councillor community visits across East Gippsland throughout the year. Sign up to East Gippsland Shire Council’s Community Matters newsletter for updates.
