MAD Community Catchup held on Sunday 19 July 2026
The MADRA Committee hosted a Community Catchup on Sunday 19 July. This was the first of three gatherings planned for 2026 to bring people together and to discuss:
1. the Communications project that MADRA is supporting
2. updates on other community projects
3. other important issues that should be considered in planning for our district’s future
The MADRA Committee would like to thank again the hardy souls who braved the chilly weather and contributed to the discussions with such enthusiasm. Thanks also to the many others who contacted us with messages of support and ideas, to Maggie for taking the notes, Brad for the fabulous afternoon tea and to the Gippsland Community Foundation for their generous support.
As promised at the Catchup, a summary of the discussion is provided below. For those who would like another opportunity to contribute, the MADRA Committee plans to host the next Catchup in September.
Discussions from all three gatherings will help update MADRA’s Action Plan of things that we will do and what we will advocate for. MADRA will also contribute this information to stakeholder consultation meetings hosted by Council.
Please feel free to come with your ideas to future gatherings.
1. Communications project
This project is looking at the feasibility of a new communications platform. The intention is not to restart the Mallacoota Mouth exactly as it was, but to look at other sustainable options. As the only local organisation that has a broad mandate from the whole community, MADRA is working with Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) the local Communications Group and Council's Place Facilitator to assess whether Mallacoota can sustain a community led platform with a realistic business, funding and governance model that doesn’t depend on volunteer goodwill alone.
ABV volunteer Mac Thompson has started gathering information from the community and researching other communication platforms. An interim report will be provided soon. Community input provided at the Catchup will directly inform the final feasibility assessment and recommendations. We are also talking to ABV about running a short survey to increase the opportunities for community feedback as requested by participants. .
Questions posed:
1. What functions do we most want the platform to provide (for example: local news, “what’s on”, community stories, emergency ready information, practical day to day updates, business information, opportunities for young people, or some combination).
2. Which audiences do we most want the platform to serve (for example: permanent residents, older people, young people, businesses, visitors, part time residents, vulnerable cohorts).
3. Who could credibly own, govern and run the platform (whether MADRA, a new incorporated body, a cooperative, or another community based arrangement).
What we heard participants say:
• The Mouth is very much missed and there is a strong desire for it to be returned in some format
• There is strong interest in whatever is delivered to continue to be called The Mouth 🙂
• The name The Mouth, local availability and local content contributes to a “sense of place” for readers
• It is important to have more opportunities to provide input into this project (we are discussing a survey and propose further discussion at our next Community Catchup). You also suggested “asking the kids”
• There is a strong desire for The Mouth to be available "over the counter" as a paper copy, as well as online and possibly in both a short and long format
• The answers to ABV’s questions in general were (1) yes all of the above (2) yes everyone (3) there was general agreement on principles of good governance and sustainability, but no suggestions on ownership yet
Participants provided a lot more detail which we will take on board, but in summary:
• Audience: includes Mallacoota and District residents, property owners, tourists, schools, creatives, other content providers and community groups
• The name/brand/vibe: The name Mallacoota Mouth is established (having started in the 1970s?) and important to our history (copies are in the State Library). The Mouth was always a feel-good thing that “let you know that a place like this does exist”.
• Functions: include Whats On, Have Your Say, community group activities and events, reliable local information (eg news) and learning (eg history), arts outlet (eg writers group and other creatives), supporting recovery, learning activity for students
• Format: There’s an ongoing desire for a printed version. It could be multi-format: short form printed, long form on website. It doesn’t have to be weekly. It could be fortnightly or monthly. There are already two local Facebook pages that were recognised as important and well-moderated, however it was reinforced that many local people do not use social media or other forms of online communication
• Sustainability: Participants provided good background on issues associated with the school’s delivery of The Mouth including the educational value gained by students (who as part of a school unit conducted interviews, wrote content, helped production and were keen to see their photos on the front cover) as well as the substantial time and resources committed. Comments supported the need for good governance and sustainability and the need to look into whether technology changes could reduce the resourcing burden. Funding sources (fees, advertising, social responsibility contributions for advertisers and grants) were also discussed briefly. No suggestions were made on who could own, govern and run the platform
What’s next for the Communications Project?
• We are talking to ABV about running a short survey to increase the opportunities for community feedback.
• We will provide updates via the MADRA Newsletter as the project progresses
2. Project updates
• Genoa-Mallacoota Road: The Department of Transport and Planning is finalising the detailed design, cultural heritage approvals, etc. MADRA has received advice from Darren Chester’s office that, subject to approvals, construction may commence late 2026 and be completed by late 2027. The DTP website provides maps of the works proposed for the 3 sites at Cape Horn Bay (curve widening), Coolwater Creek (curve realignment) and Double Creek (slow vehicle lane)
• Jetty rebuilds and all abilities access: Parks Victoria is still working on design and approvals for jetty upgrades including Hanza sockets for all abilities access. PV have advised that they hope to be able to provide an indicative timetable for the upgrades in 6 to 8 weeks time (mid September). The MADRA Committee will follow up at that time and provide an update to members. Ports have agreed to a request from MADRA to attach a Hanza socket on their jetty at Karbethong. Hanza sockets take a portable manual jetty crane used to safely transfer people from their wheel chairs into boats giving them access to our lakes
• Housing: Homes Victoria: Ten dwellings have been built and are now occupied (eight public housing and two affordable housing). Some final clean up of sites occupied by temporary units is still required. The MADRA Committee is following up on this issue
• Fuel Management: The emergency management agencies have made progress in implementing planned works including: widening of fuel breaks and burn preparation around Mallacoota, a large burn was completed at Gipsy Point. In the next 3 years: burns are planned for opposite the fire station and behind Terra Nova and Shady Gully. The community-led Fuel Management Working Group (a MADRA sub-committee) has continued to work with member agencies to influence priorities and high standards of fuel management works. The group is setting up a trial to explore/demonstrate alternative treatments and will finalise a draft fuel management strategy for Mallacoota and District for public consultation prior to the fire season.
• Gippsland Ports: Funding (Vic Fisheries Authority and GP) is available for dredging of the channel between the Town Wharf and the slipway (by end Dec 2026). There is no funding for capital works, but GP has scheduled re-decking of the Wharf and maintenance on the boat ramp jetty in the 2027/28 financial year, should funding become available
• Aboriginal cultural projects: Discussions are ongoing regarding a potential resource and education centre at the old kindergarten site. In addition, a Bidwell group is in discussion with Scotch College about a possible Aboriginal cultural centre.
3. Other important issues
Question posed:
What issues would you like to see taken up by MADRA to help achieve our vision of an inclusive, vibrant strong and safe community? It was noted that these would be things MADRA can advocate for and hope to influence, rather than things MADRA would directly do. Participants were invited to jot down ideas and priorities on sticky notes (see dot points); these were grouped on the whiteboard according to topic and the recovery pillars. Brief discussions were held on most topics.
What we heard participants say:
• Community transport: Concerns were raised about the limited community transport in Mallacoota and District. It was suggested that although we have VLine services on some days and MDHSS offer bus trips for shopping and swimming, this is not often enough or flexible enough to fill community needs for transport to and from Merimbula (eg for medical appointments) particularly for those that do not drive. A meeting participant has commenced documenting Information on current services, a proposal for community identification of transport gaps and potential opportunities provided by the Department of Transport’s Flexible Local Transport Solutions Program (FLTSP)
• Housing: What are the lessons learnt from the Black Summer fires about housing? Examples include: the lack of accommodation for renters, restrictions around alternative dwellings like tiny houses, regulations governing how long people are allowed to live in caravans etc and restrictive and costly rebuild standards.
• Jetties: The jetty reconstruction needs to be finalised
• Walking Tracks: Maintenance of walking tracks so that they are accessible and environmentally sensitive
• Safe/equitable ocean access: The Mallacoota Boardriders Club (MBC) put forward a submission to the East Gippsland Shire Council regarding safe and equitable ocean use at Bastion Point for the community (other than just boaters). There are safety risks in the water for surfers, swimmers, and kids learning to swim, and also risks on the road due to large vehicles towing boats, with vehicles sometimes speeding. It is an environmentally sensitive area. Areas are needed for people to safely mingle, such as by replacing the lookout platform that was burnt. Other groups or individuals may want to have input. There has been no follow-up from the EGSC. Club is interested in hearing from other user groups in advocacy / co-design. Review of the costs/benefits of Bastion Point boat ramp against original proposal/economic plan was also suggested
• Fuel Management: As outlined above
• Environmentally sensitive works: Issue/role for MADRA: Ensuring that public works and development in Mallacoota are aligned/consistent with the community, landscape and environmental values that make Mallacoota special
• Communications project: As outlined above
• Health care / Aged care: MDHSS has merged with Life Without Barriers, and there are no longer any local members on the board. There is a need for community communications to let everyone know what’s going on – not just their clients. Could MADRA facilitate the communication/consultation? The need for integration with other health and aged care programs in town, e.g. MMC/Mallacoota Cares/MIAC was also highlighted
• Aboriginal Culture and Healing: Opportunity to share local knowledge, stories etc with the relevant Aboriginal groups
• Mallacoota Wildlife Shelter: The Wildlife Shelter has massive ongoing costs. There was a lot of support after the fires; this has now reduced. Ongoing vet supplies cost an enormous amount. The Shelter provides an incredible service. New people are coming on board to help, but the more support, the better. Financial support is needed especially for veterinary-medical supplies
• Environmental education: Need an education campaign about our unique wildlife, environment, flora – protection. Talk to EGCMA (East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority) about drainage of housing estates/properties, stormwater runoff into neighbouring properties – an increasing issue
What’s next for Community Issues?
Community priorities will be added to MADRA’s action plan (as our resources permit). The MADRA Committee has already started discussing which items it could quickly and easily progress. MADRA will also take these ideas to the next Stakeholder meeting being hosted by Council. We will also bring this list to the next Catchup proposed for September (date to be finalised) for further ideas and discussion. At that Catchup, we are also organising a guest speaker (leading community resilience researcher) to learn more about what other places are doing to boost community wellbeing, which may lead to further ideas.
Best wishes, MADRA Committee