East Gippsland Shire Council has been working toward a range of improvements and had planned for the works to start in November. In consultation with the Bairnsdale Chamber of Commerce and Industry and to support two great community events in the next month, these works will now be started – and completed – by a local contractor and Council’s works team early in the New Year.
The first event is the Walk to Change the Story on Friday 20 November, leaving the Mall at 10am. Led by Gippsland Lakes Complete Health, this annual march brings the community together to stand against gender-based violence and family violence.
Then on Saturday 12 December from 11.30am, the Bairnsdale Christmas Festival @ Laneway3875 will bring a festive buzz to the heart of town. This event coincides with the Bairnsdale Christmas Parade.
Chief Executive Officer Fiona Weigall said it was great to see the Mall being activated like this.
“Events like these get people out and about and coming together, which is what a town centre is all about. The works are still on the way, but these events are a good reason to wait. We appreciate the Chamber’s willingness to find an approach that works for everyone,” Ms Weigall said.
Works to improve the safety, amenity and functionality of the mall will still include:
Council is also currently seeking business, user and community feedback through a taxi pick-up and drop off location survey to help inform decisions about the taxi rank location. The survey is open now on Your Say East Gippsland.
Results from the survey – we’ve received more than 35 so far – will help Council understand how people use taxi services across the Bairnsdale CBD, including where people prefer to be picked up and dropped off and any accessibility and mobility needs, so future decisions reflect residents, visitors, businesses and accessibility groups.
The survey takes less than two minutes to complete and is open until 18 November 2026.
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