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Cover photo: The festive season is here! Watch the Deputy Mayor's Christmas message below.
Message from the Deputy Mayor
On behalf of my fellow Councillors and Council staff, I’d like to wish you a merry Christmas and a wonderful festive season.
I hope you enjoy a safe and restful break and find time to relax with loved ones.
Please take care on the roads over the busy holiday period and, if you’re in a bushfire prone area or travelling through one, please ensure you have your fire plan in place.
Thank you for your continued support and community spirit. We look forward to continuing to work together in 2026 to make our shire an even better place to live.
Warm regards,
Cr Liz Roberts
Deputy Mayor
Festive season hours
Cardinia Shire Council’s customer service centre will be closed for the festive season from 4.30pm on Wednesday 24 December and will reopen on Friday 2 January 2026 at 9am.
Our call centre will close at 5pm on 24 December and will reopen at 8:30am on
2 January.
During this time, you can lodge any service requests, payments, or other online transactions on our website: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/report
For emergencies, please call 1300 787 624 to speak with our after-hours service.
Our waste collection drivers will be working throughout the holiday period, including all public holidays, so please remember to put your bins out the night before and keep them clear of parked cars.
Council’s customer service centre is located at the Civic Centre at 20 Siding Avenue, Officer.
Latest news
Shop local this summer
We’re making progress on Stage 1 of the Pakenham Revitalisation project. Works in Drake Place are being paused until January to encourage the community to shop and spend locally this summer.
Pakenham Outdoor Pool update
Essential maintenance and upgrade works at Pakenham Outdoor Pool are progressing. We recognise that the Pakenham Outdoor Pool is a much-loved community asset, and these upgrades will deliver an improved and more enjoyable pool experience for our community.
Pakenham Golf Course update
Expressions of interest for the future management of the Pakenham Golf Course at Deep Creek Reserve, Pakenham, will be sought in the new year. Council will undertake an EOI process to test the market and invite proposals for the site’s future use, including golf and alternative proposals in line with the permitted zoning.
Calling all young people
Young people aged 15 to 24 are invited to apply to join the Youth Action and Advisory Committee (YAAC) for 2026 to help shape and deliver youth-led projects.
Setting the agenda for advocacy efforts
Council has set a bold vision for the future with the adoption of its Advocacy Agenda 2025–29 to drive Council’s advocacy efforts in the lead up to the 2026 State election and beyond.
Recycling Drive and Drop event
We’re expanding our usual cardboard drop-off event to accept a wider range of those hard-to-recycle items that pile up over the festive season. Drop off your e-waste, polystyrene, soft plastics, textiles and excess cardboard for free!
For the latest Council news, head to cardinia.vic.gov.au/news
What's on
Discover the Cardinia Cultural Centre gift shop
This new retail shop features a curated selection of handmade pieces by local artists. The shop rotates collections every season so there’s always something new to find. Be sure to check out the summer featured artists until Friday 27 February (or while stocks last!).
Cardinia fun run and walk
Registrations are open for the Cardinia fun run and walk in 2026. Take part in the 5km, 10km Fun Run or O'Connors 5km Walk on Sunday 1 March and help raise funds for the Cardinia Community Foundation.
Did you know you can promote your not-for-profit or low-cost community event on Council’s website? Events or activities must be held in Cardinia Shire and be open and relevant to the broader community.
Head to our events page for submission guidelines and to submit your event.
Building a Better Cardinia
Revitalisation works
Construction will restart in January on Stage 1 of the Pakenham Revitalisation project. As part of the upcoming works, Drake Place will be closed to through traffic for up to four weeks.
Lakeside pedestrian crossing
We're upgrading the existing zebra crossing in Lakeside Boulevard outside the Cardinia Cultural Centre to include flashing amber lights and new street lights.
Cardinia Life car park
Resurfacing works are scheduled to start on the north-east car park at Cardinia Life in Pakenham from Monday 12 January.
For more projects happening near you, head to cardinia.vic.gov.au/bettercardinia
Have your say
Shape our cultural future
Help shape the development of two new policies designed to create a thriving arts and cultural scene in our shire. Whether you’re a regular festival-goer, occasional visitor to cultural events, or simply someone who lives or works in or visits Cardinia Shire, we want to hear from you!
Draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
Our Draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan is open for public exhibition. The plan outlines actions to strengthen relationships, show respect and create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the shire.
To help shape our shire, head to cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay
Contact your Councillor
Cardinia Shire has nine Councillors who represent nine wards. Learn more about your local councillor or access their contact details on Council's website.
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Questions? Feedback?
We'd love to hear from you! Send an email to mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au,
call 1300 787 624 or visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au
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