From the Chair - Christmas 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, it is timely to reflect on what has been a productive six months for One Gippsland. 

Our delegations to Canberra and Spring Street this year have ensured our priorities remained firmly before decision makers. Our work has delivered important outcomes, including the tabling of legislation to expand the universal service framework to cover mobile connectivity, and $3 million to plan improvements to the Drouin and Warragul Arterial Road Network. These achievements reaffirm the impact of coordinated regional advocacy.

We continued engagement at the state level on housing, energy and infrastructure, including through presenting at the parliamentary inquiry into regional housing supply earlier in the year. Addressing Gippsland’s housing shortfall remains essential to supporting growth across our energy, mining, food, fibre and tourism sectors, and policy considerations in rural and regional areas around Windfall Gains Tax, trunk infrastructure investment, roads and supporting the liability in the Gippsland region through connected townships are all matters that One Gippsland has raised.  

Our October delegation to Canberra reinforced key priorities - freight, digital connectivity, renewables, tourism, skills and disaster resilience - and will shape our work as we approach a significant Victorian election year.

Alongside this, One Gippsland continued to advocate in support of the fishing industry and for stronger disaster preparedness. Representation at the Smart City Expo in Barcelona enabled One Gippsland to showcase Gippsland’s innovation and global engagement, particularly in the areas of energy and agri-food. 

Our planning day in August was a valuable opportunity to review our achievements, refresh our strategy and bring forward ideas that can be fed into the new Gippsland Regional Plan. 

Looking forward, our focus in early 2026 will be on shaping state and federal budget discussions and engaging with all parties ahead of the Victorian election. Energy, freight, tourism, digital connectivity, skills and disaster resilience will remain central to our advocacy.

We have also seen several changes in leadership across our councils and partner organisations. We congratulate the newly elected Mayors, Deputy Mayors and incoming CEOs, and thank those departing for their service and contribution. Our regional strength is built on the hard work of these leaders.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to One Gippsland’s work this year. I wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable Christmas and summer break, and look forward to continuing our work in the new year.

Regards,

Cr Nathan Hersey

Chair, One Gippsland.

One Gippsland Chair and South Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Cr Nathan Hersey.