It’s good to be back in Bass Coast! While my time away was fantastic – I got to see and experience some incredible things – there is nothing like coming home. Bass Coast really is one of the most beautiful and best places in the world to live.

I need to thank Deputy Mayor, Cr Bruce Kent and our fellow Councillors for all of the hard work they put in while I was away. It’s great to hear Cr Kent enjoyed his time as Acting Mayor, and he did an awesome job.

I arrived back from holiday just in time for a Special Meeting of Council, held last Wednesday, to hear the Budget submissions we received in response to the Draft 2019/20 Budget. It was excellent to see so many people getting involved in the Budget process. The final 2019/20 Budget will be presented to Council in June for adoption.

Did you know that from 1 July, e-waste will no longer be accepted in landfill and must go to a designated drop-off point? E-waste is any item with a plug, battery or cord that is no longer wanted. But don’t panic, because you can still dispose of your e-waste at any of our Transfer Stations. Items like fridges, televisions, computers, phones and batteries can be disposed of for free, while other items like hair dryers, microwaves and videogame consoles attract a small fee. Go to www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/ewaste for more information.

Winter is here, and with winter comes the whales. From now until October is the perfect time to head to the coast, on the lookout for Humpback or Southern Right whales, which pass by our region as part of their annual migration. You can even follow the Whale Discovery Trail from Eagles Nest near Inverloch, all the way to Phillip Island. The Whale Trail offers plenty of good viewing options of the southern coastline and areas where whales migrate, without having to test your sea legs! In fact, the first sighting of the season was just last Wednesday when a Humpback visited San Remo. Time to get the binoculars out!