Gympie Regional Council is asking the community to help shape renewed playgrounds at Crab Creek Park in Tin Can Bay and Clive Colburn Park in Kandanga. Both projects were funded in this year's Budget and aim to deliver modern, safe and accessible play spaces. The Crab Creek playground sits on the foreshore and is popular with locals and visitors. The Clive Colburn playground is heavily used on game and training days at nearby sporting fields. Surveys close at 5pm on Thursday, 12 November 2026, and the renewals are expected to be completed by 30 June 2027.
A fresh look is planned for the playground at Brookville Gardens in Toorak, with a draft design now open for public comment. The design includes a tunnel slide, a double slide, a rock scaling wall, a tree climber, a spider web climber, netted cube monkey bars and a shop counter for imaginative play. The council also proposes updating the existing play towers, which the community has said it values. Feedback can be shared online until 11.59 pm on Monday 16 November.
Hume City Council is seeking community input on the design of an official civic emblem that would reflect the city's history and its first peoples. Feedback is open until 15 November. The emblem would be used for ceremonial purposes and to represent community pride, and would not replace Hume's logo. Residents can suggest symbols, plants, animals or stories to include. A subcommittee of six councillors and nine community members was formed in June to explore the emblem and make recommendations. A report is expected to go to council by May 2027.
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Transport for NSW is updating its Timber Truss Bridge Strategy and reassessing the future of 27 retained historic bridges across the state. The review includes Carrathool's 1924 bascule lift span bridge, which is unique. Member for Murray Helen Dalton said the timber bridges hold major heritage value but must be weighed against the needs of modern local industries and road networks. Community members can give feedback through the NSW Government's Have Your Say website until October 30, 2026, to help shape the updated strategy for 2027.
The Water Corporation will host a community meeting on Tuesday to explain its proposed desalination plant at Nanarup. Drop-in sessions will run at the Lower Kalgan Hall, with a community gathering from 5pm to 7.30pm. Staff will explain why the Lower Great Southern needs a new water source and how seawater desalination works. Local residents have raised concerns about noise and the industrialisation of a rural area. The State Government backs the plant, which was chosen over the Sandpatch site.
The City of Whittlesea has called for a moratorium on data centre approvals until new Victorian Government planning reforms are finalised and built into planning schemes. The council resolved the position at its meeting on 20 October 2026. It will write to the Victorian Premier and ministers seeking greater transparency, stronger planning controls and meaningful consultation. The council also opposes the State Government's use of the Development Facilitation Program to approve a data centre at 525 McDonalds Road, South Morang, and wants a hold on the current application at 165 Williamsons Road, South Morang.
West Wimmera Shire Council is collecting community feedback and health and recreation data to shape new initiatives for children and young people. The work forms part of Close to Home, a two-year project aimed at making sport, recreation and other activities more accessible to people aged 0 to 25. Consultation begins with schools next week, with community sessions at Apsley Hall on 28 October and the Goroke Community Complex on 29 October, both at 7.30pm. Council chief executive David Bezuidenhout said the shire lacks local data on health and recreation.
Local children are helping shape a new nature-based play space and picnic shelter in Davidson Park, Beaudesert. Scenic Rim Council says the adventure play area will include picnic shelters and extra seating, with artworks that reflect the region's landscape and history. Primary school students, First Nations artists and community members have taken part in workshops that guide the design. A contractor has been selected for the project, which is receiving $430,000 from the Australian Government through the SEQ City Deal.
The Shire of Murray is asking residents to help review its 2023-2033 council plan. Shire president Douglas McLarty said the 10-year plan reflects community priorities and guides shire decisions. A three-week consultation runs from October 18 to November 9. Residents can respond online, through printed surveys sent to households, or with copies available at the shire administration building, Murray library, Murray House Resource Centre and Murray Aquatic and Leisure Centre. The shire will update the plan and adjust services based on feedback received.
Property developer Stockland is moving ahead with plans for seven data centre sites, which it says are far from residential areas. It already operates one data centre in Macquarie Park and formed a joint venture with EdgeConneX in March. Chief executive Tarun Gupta told the annual general meeting that the company is working on planning approvals and securing power before making major investments. Stockland has secured 450 megawatts of power for three sites. Stockland shares finished Monday down 4.4 per cent at $4.04.
Residents of Wonthaggi have shown strong support for their town at the first round of consultation sessions on Bass Coast Shire Council's structure planning review. Local resident Dyonn Dimmock praised the town's access to amenities, bushland, beaches and bicycle trails, and urged wider community participation. Feedback highlighted demand for long-term jobs, an education hub, safer roads and crossings, and better links to walking and bike trails. Residents also raised concerns about water pressure and sewerage capacity. The consultation period runs until October 30, and feedback will inform the next draft of the structure plan.
North Sydney Council is developing a first-ever Coal Loader Strategic Management Plan for the Waverton Peninsula site. Community feedback will help shape a vision, priorities and future works, including climate resilience. The plan aims to make the site a cultural, environmental and community destination while honouring its Aboriginal, post-industrial and community values. The plan will not change the site's current land use. Submissions close on Tuesday 8 December.
Leeton residents are being urged to speak out against a proposed rate increase of up to 54 per cent, four years after a similar rise was voted down. The council is considering three options that would lift general rates revenue by between 44.2 and 53.8 per cent over two years, on top of standard annual increases. The council says an independent review found its general fund is not financially sustainable. A community meeting is set for 6 pm on Monday 19 October at Cypress Street Hall, where residents can question the mayor and general manager.
Federal and Victorian governments have released concept designs for upgrading the Calder Freeway and Calder Park Drive interchange in Melbourne's north-west. The plan includes a new diamond interchange, a four-lane overpass over Calder Park Drive, and a speed limit increase to 100 km/h. The upgrade is designed to improve safety for the 39,000 vehicles using the freeway each day. Community consultation is open, and construction timeframes will be confirmed after planning and environmental approvals progress.
Governments have released concept designs for a major overhaul of the Calder Freeway and Calder Park Drive interchange, and community consultation is now open. The plans include a new diamond interchange and a four-lane overpass that raises the freeway, along with future-proofing for six lanes and a 100km/h speed limit. Officials say the changes will improve safety and reliability for the 39,000 vehicles using the freeway each day. Construction timeframes will not be confirmed until planning and environmental approvals progress. Residents can give feedback through engage.vic.gov.au.
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Three Wagga councillors did not support a move to sell council-owned land at Gregadoo to CDC Data Centres. Councillors Mike Henderson and Jenny McKinnon voted against the motion, and Amelia Parkins abstained. They raised concerns about a lack of information and community consultation. The majority vote allows the general manager to negotiate community commitments before the sale proceeds. The vote does not approve the data centre, which the NSW Government will decide.
Community members are invited to help shape the next stage of Stan Riley Reserve, Monash's only BMX track in Oakleigh South. Council is developing a concept plan that keeps the reserve's BMX identity while considering landscaping, paths, shade and seating. People can complete a survey by Sunday 13 December 2026, register for a track design focus group by Wednesday 4 November 2026, or speak with staff at the reserve on 24 October and 15 November 2026. Feedback will inform the final concept, which will go to a future Council meeting.
Bass Coast Shire Council is asking residents to comment on its Draft Wonthaggi Structure Plan 2026 until October 30. The 15-year plan sets out how the town should grow while keeping its character. It proposes no new residential expansion for now, as existing land could meet demand for around 40 years. Instead, it prioritises the Wonthaggi North-East growth area and includes at least 20 hectares of industrial land at South Dudley. Community drop-in sessions are scheduled for October 14, 19 and 21.
