Our Focus
We’re proud of the natural beauty that surrounds us here in Wellington. From the coast to the ranges, our landscapes are part of everyday life and we know how important they are to our health, identity and way of living.
Caring for these places is a big part of our role. As the region grows and environmental conditions continue to change, we’re making sure our plans and services help protect the environment while still supporting how people live, work and enjoy the outdoors.
We’re focused on managing land and resources responsibly, maintaining clean and healthy public spaces, and helping communities prepare for things like fire, flood and storm. Looking after the environment means looking after our future, and that’s something we all benefit from.
Strategic Indicators
At a Glance...
Major Initiatives and Actions
A record of strong activities during the summer holiday period has been documented, and resumed at a slower pace in February, coinciding with the return to work and school.
Activities including engaging with the community on the VEGuary Event, coordination of Nakunbalook Environmental Education Centre event scheduling, the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) introduction campaign. Preparations are underway for the Wellington Sustainability Festival on 14 March 2026.
Council continues to deliver the multi-year Urban Forest program, which focuses on planting street trees to improve shade and streetscape amenity in Wellington townships where trees are limited or missing.
In September 2025, residents were invited to take part in selecting suitable tree species for planting in Autumn 2026. Following this engagement, the community involvement had an impact on street design, helping foster longterm stewardship of street trees.
Staff continue to actively participate in regional meetings, ensuring Wellington Shire remains engaged in collaborative planning efforts.
Planning and collaboration with Gippsland Water on a funding submission will begin in March 2026. This will investigate Integrated Water Management (IWM) opportunities to support the Stratford Structure Plan.
Consideration is also being given to a funding submission to investigate alternative water sources for the Yarram Recreation Reserve.
Council officers will continue to contribute to these forums to support coordinated outcomes.
Rosedale's ‘Itty Bitty Booksale’, event held in January supported the reuse and recycling of books.
It also involved community engagement to build awareness around opportunities for reuse. With over 140 people in attendance, it is estimated that approximately 1000 items were given new homes as a result of the sale.
The development and publication of Local Emergency Directories (LEDs) for high-risk communities is ongoing.
Initial planning for the renewal of the Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP), scheduled for completion inlate 2026.
Further progress on this renewal will occur throughout the 2026 calendar year.
A Council Briefing on Amendment C125well (Revised Flood Controls) included request for a formal resolution to seek Ministerial Authorisation. A suite of draft documents for this Planning Scheme Amendment is currently being finalised.
Half yearly diversion rate from 1 July 2025 - 31 December 2025 reported at 25.86% which is determined from Council's current 2 bin kerbside service (General Waste, and Glass and Mixed Recycling).
The target figure has been reduced on previous years as a result of the uptake of the new Container Deposit Scheme by residents - which has diverted recyclables to a higher recovery stream and improved recycling outcomes overall.
With the introduction of the Food and Garden Organics collection in July 2026 and further uptake of the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) diversion of additional waste from landfill is expected, with better results than 25% expected by the end of 2026.
General waste education, school-based education and Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) education campaigns to encourage reduction, reuse and correct separation of recyclables is continuing to help maximise recovery.
Ongoing waste education campaigns have assisted residents in understanding the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling resources. These efforts have built in momentum, and excitement has been noted for the introduction of the Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) bins in 2026.
This year's Annual Hard Waste Collection encouraged residents to consider what they discard - the first ever EWaste collection campaign with Hard Waste Collection was delivered in the municipality aiming to maximise EWaste recovery.
Campaigns across school’s and the broader community have been delivered as scheduled.
These include:
- Sustainability Education
- Planting programs have been implemented in designated Natural Environment areas.
- Ongoing Waste Education with an emerging focus on the introduction of the new Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) service in 2026.
Public engagement opportunities have included invitations to talks hosted at Nakunbalook Environmental Education Centre. Media channels have been actively utilised to encourage community participation in environmental stewardship, sustainable living, and building climate resilience.