Cardinia Shire Council

16/10/2026

Community safety is about more than preventing crime. It's about ensuring people feel safe where they live, work and connect.

This is Community Safety Month, bringing local events, safety information and expert advice to help residents better understand local risks, prepare for emergencies and build community resilience. Council has been hosting a series of community safety pop-up events across the shire, giving residents the opportunity to connect with emergency services and community safety organisations, ask questions and access practical resources to help keep themselves, their families and their properties safe.

Upcoming events include:
☕ Coffee with Community and Safe PL8 Day
📅 17 October 2026 | ⏰ 11am-2pm
📍 Gembrook IGA

📍 Community Safety Promotion Day
📅 24 October 2026 | ⏰ 10am-2pm
📍 Emerald Post Office

📍 Community Safety Promotion Day
📅 31 October 2026 | ⏰ 3pm-7pm
📍 Emerald Post Office

Community Safety Month is a reminder that creating safer communities is a shared responsibility. By staying informed, connected and prepared, we can all play a part in building a safer and more resilient community.

Find out more and see upcoming event details:

See how we work with local services and the community to improve safety in Cardinia Shire, and where to get support or report concerns.

15/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Opportunity on the Horizon: Cardinia Business Breakfast this week at Cardinia Cultural Centre.

💼 It was great to bring together local business owners, leaders and community partners for breakfast, conversation and fresh perspectives on the future of business in Cardinia.

A special thank you to Ryan Felsman, Senior Economist (Director) - Business and Industry at Commonwealth Bank, for sharing valuable insights on the economic trends shaping business conditions and their implications for growth, investment and resilience across the region 👏

We hope everyone left with new connections, useful ideas and plenty to think about as they look ahead!

ℹ️ For more information about Cardinia Business, including upcoming events, head to 👉 cardinia.vic.gov.au/cardiniabusiness

14/10/2026

🚧 Something exciting is taking shape at Ebony Drive Reserve!

We're delivering a fantastic new playground for local families, with renewal upgrades now underway on the existing play space in Pakenham.

For years, Ebony Drive Reserve has been a place where children play, families gather and neighbours connect. Soon, it will be even better with upgrades including:

🛝 New climbing, sliding and swinging equipment.
♿ Accessible pathways and inclusive play elements.
👶 A dedicated toddler play area.
🌳 New seating, shelter and landscaping.
⚽ A kick-about area.
💧 Improved drainage for year-round use.

Designed with input from the community, the renewed playground will provide a more inclusive, accessible and engaging place for children and families to play, connect and enjoy the outdoors.

This investment is part of our commitment to creating vibrant parks and open spaces that support healthy, active and connected communities.

Thank you for your patience as we deliver this important community upgrade. We can't wait to see local children and families enjoying the new space when it opens in 2027. 🛝🌳✨

👉 Learn more: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/ebony-play-renewal

07/10/2026

⚠️ Thinking about a burn-off this weekend? Stop and check before you spark.

As we head into bushfire season, it's important to make sure any burn-offs are carried out safely and in line with local laws and permit requirements.

Changing weather conditions can turn a planned burn into an emergency in minutes.

🔥 Know the local laws and permit requirements
💨 Check the forecast
💧 Have water on hand
👀 Never leave a fire unattended
🧯 Extinguish the fire completely before leaving

Prepare for bushfire season but do it safely. Find out what's required before you burn 👉 www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/burningoff

07/10/2026

Community Safety Month Pop-up Reminder! Join us at two community safety month pop-ups this week:

☕ Coffee with Community and Safe PL8 Day
📅 8 October 2026 | ⏰ 10am-12pm
📍 Arena Shopping Centre, 4 Cardinia Road, Officer
✅ Free coffee provided!

🚒 Community Safety Promotion Day
📅 11 October 2026 | ⏰ 9am-1pm
📍 Upper Beaconsfield CFA

Come along to chat with local safety organisations, learn valuable safety tips, and connect with your community. We look forward to seeing you there!

ℹ️ Find out more at 👉 www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/communitysafety

06/10/2026

Looking to improve your community facility? 🤔 The 2027/28 round of project proposals are now open for eligible community organisations through our Community Capital Works Grants Program.

🚧 The program provides funding of up to $35,000 for community-managed projects that improve community facilities and respond to community needs.

✅ Funding is available under two categories:

• Minor capital works: for minor upgrades or improvements to community facilities that enhance functionality, accessibility or usability.

• Essential equipment: for major equipment needed at community facilities or reserves. Equipment funded through the program must remain onsite and be available to all facility users.

⏰ Project proposals close 9 December 2026. If successful, applicants will be invited to provide a detailed grant application.

💻 An online information session will be held on 14 October 2026 to help interested groups learn more about the program and application process.

ℹ️ For more information, please visit 👉 www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/ccwg

📸 The Beaconsfield Netball Club was awarded a 2025/26 CCWG to resurface the netball courts at Holm Park Reserve.

05/10/2026

🌳Discover the next chapter of Emerald Lake Precinct! 🌳

Over the coming years, we’ll be working to deliver the future vision outlined in the Emerald Lake Precinct masterplan. The masterplan includes a range of potential upgrades, changes and improvements across Emerald Lake Park and Nobelius Heritage Park.

From new play spaces to water play and picnic facilities through to amphitheatres, walking paths, amenities, accessibility improvements, landscaping and more, we’re excited to transform this precinct into a place that can be visited and appreciated for generations to come.

Council recently endorsed the staged delivery of the masterplan, with next steps including further planning to refine project concepts, detailed designs and continued community engagement on key projects and changes.

Over the next year, planning and detailed design will progress on stage 1 projects, including:
✅ Renewal of the Carl Stemp Amphitheatre
✅ Future play and activity areas
✅ A refreshed water play zone
✅ Shelter and drinking fountain improvements

Our staged delivery will help ensure what we’re delivering reflects community feedback, that we’re minimising disruption, protecting the precinct's environmental and heritage values, and that we’re prepared for future funding opportunities.

We’re focused on investing in a place that means so much to our community, while preserving what makes it so special. While not all projects will happen at once, steady progress one project at a time will help turn this long-term vision into reality.

💬Want to learn more?
Join us at one of our upcoming drop-in information sessions to hear about the masterplan, planned improvements, project staging and what's next for Emerald Lake Precinct.

📍 Information sessions:
• Wednesday 14 October 2026 from 11:30am – 1:30pm at the Emerald Hills Hub.
• Thursday 15 October 2026 from 4:30pm – 6:30pm at the Emerald Hills Hub.
• Friday 16 October 2026 from 1pm – 3pm at Emerald Lake Park.

We know how much this precinct means to our community, and we look forward to sharing more updates as we progress planning for its future.

Learn more 👉 www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/elp-masterplan

04/10/2026

Are you a dad living in Cardinia Shire with a child aged between 0-6 years? 👶

➡️ Would you like to:
• meet other local dads and share your parenting experience?
• discover more ways to connect with your child?
• learn more about your child’s development and local parenting support services?

Cardinia Dads is a FREE program for dads to meet, connect and share parenting experiences in an informal and supportive setting.

📆 Wednesday evenings from 14 October, 5-7pm. Program runs for five weeks.
📍 Anglicare Parentzone Hub - 75 Army Rd, Pakenham
☕ Free. Refreshments provided.

Bookings are essential and places are limited.

ℹ️ Visit go.cardinia.vic.gov.au/cardiniadads to register your interest.

Or, for more information, phone Council’s Maternal Child Health team on 1300 787 624 or email [email protected].

02/10/2026

We recently recognised Cardinia Shire's outstanding young people at our 2026 Good Choice Awards! ✨

🏆 This year's nominees were recognised for a wide range of achievements, including, dedication to their studies, seeking employment opportunities, prioritising their health and wellbeing, reaching out for support when needed, building positive relationships and engaging confidently in school or further education.

💙 Each nomination highlighted the positive impact our young people are making every day, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements and contributions. Congratulations to all of this year's Good Choice Award recipients! 👏

02/10/2026

🍉Free Food Waste Caddies for Schools! 🌱

Schools with composting systems or worm farms on-site can receive up to 10 free food waste caddies to support their sustainability efforts.

To take part, eligible schools simply need to complete a free composting or worm farm incursion provided by Gould League.

Let’s work together to reduce food waste and support hands-on learning in our schools 👏

ℹ️ More info 👉 gould.org.au/cardinia-shire-council/