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South Gippsland in Gippsland

South Gippsland is made up of Leongatha, Mirboo North, Foster, Toora, Fish Creek, Venus Bay, Strzelecki, Stony Creek, Nyora, Welshpool, Korumburra, Turtons Creek, Poowong, Foster North, Kardella, Tarwin Lower, Korumburra South, Leongatha South, Meeniyan, Outtrim, Mardan, Waratah Bay, Koonwarra, Yanakie, Fairbank, Port Welshpool, Walkerville, Ruby, Boorool, Jumbunna, Woorarra East, Leongatha North, Buffalo, Jeetho, Walkerville North, Wooreen, Bena, Agnes, Ranceby, Mount Best, and Middle Tarwin.

Living in South Gippsland

South Gippsland Overall Liveability Index
Gippsland
60.2
Bass Coast
62.3
Baw Baw
60.7
East Gippsland
58.4
Latrobe
57.1
Wellington
60.7
Collected September 2024

Use the values and experiences matrix to understand the relationship between what your residents believe makes somewhere a good place to live and how they experience their local area in that regard. The matrix highlights the attributes that your community believe needs to maintained and improved to advance overall liveability.

Greater Importance & Worse Experiences    Greater Importance & Better Experiences    Less important attributes

South Gippsland Overall Liveability Index

South Gippsland Overall Liveability Index 64.3

Gippsland Overall Liveability Index

Gippsland Overall Liveability Index 60.2

South Gippsland
Gippsland
Importance
Experience
Natural environment
Importance
Experience
63%
8.1
61%
8.0
Feeling safe
Importance
Experience
61%
7.6
61%
6.6
Sense of community
Importance
Experience
51%
7.7
42%
6.7
Health services
Importance
Experience
50%
5.7
55%
5.2
Affordable decent housing
Importance
Experience
46%
5.6
43%
5.3
A lack of road congestion
Importance
Experience
28%
7.8
27%
6.8
Making your way
Importance
Experience
26%
6.2
26%
6.2
Shopping, leisure & dining
Importance
Experience
26%
4.4
28%
4.9
Good job prospects
Importance
Experience
24%
4.7
32%
4.7
Public transport
Importance
Experience
24%
3.3
22%
4.1
Social cohesion
Importance
Experience
22%
6.6
20%
6.2
Opportunity for all
Importance
Experience
18%
6.2
19%
5.9
Sports and recreation
Importance
Experience
17%
7.2
15%
7.1
Education
Importance
Experience
15%
5.3
20%
5.4
A prosperous economy
Importance
Experience
14%
6.0
18%
5.4
Cultural facilities
Importance
Experience
12%
5.2
12%
5.3
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Health and Wellbeing in South Gippsland

Physical Health
How would you rate your physical health?
Do you think your physical health will get better, worse or stay the same over the next year?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
7.3
Very poor
Excellent
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
7.0
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
South Gippsland (n = 246)
9%
61%
30%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
12%
59%
29%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Mental Health
How would you rate your mental health?
Do you think your mental health will get better, worse or stay the same over the next year?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
7.6
Very poor
Excellent
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
7.4
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
South Gippsland (n = 246)
6%
67%
27%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
7%
70%
23%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Social wellbeing
How would you rate your social wellbeing?
Do you think your social wellbeing will get better, worse or stay the same over the next year?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
7.2
Very poor
Excellent
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
7.1
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
South Gippsland (n = 246)
8%
74%
18%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
10%
74%
16%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Financial circumstances in South Gippsland

How would you rate your personal financial circumstances?
Do you think your personal financial circumstance will get worse, stay the same or get better over the next year?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
6.1
Very poor
Excellent
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
6.0
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
South Gippsland (n = 246)
25%
51%
24%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
27%
52%
21%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
How often, if ever, are you late meeting your financial commitments?
Do you think the economic situation in your local area will get worse, stay the same or get better over the next year?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1743)
Always late
3%
1%
Often late
3%
6%
Sometimes late
29%
28%
Never late
65%
65%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
South Gippsland (n = 246)
37%
52%
11%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
50%
42%
8%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Impacts of climate change in South Gippsland

Which of the following best describes your personal views on climate change?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
Climate change is happening and is caused entirely or mostly by human activities
43%
39%
Climate change is happening and is caused equally by human activities and natural causes
31%
30%
Climate change is happening and is caused entirely or mostly by natural causes
10%
11%
Climate change is happening, but I am not sure what is causing it
4%
7%
I do not believe climate change is happening
12%
13%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Among those that believe in climate change, 50% indicated that their local area is currently feeling the effects of climate change and a further 31% expected their local area to feel the effects within their lifetime. Of those, 5% were very confident that their local area would be able to adapt to the effects of climate change and a further 47% somewhat confident. 45% were not confident.

Please select the extent to which climate change is impacting or will impact your local area in your lifetime?
How confident are you that your local area will be able to adapt to the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1592)
My local area is feeling the effects of climate change
50%
50%
My local area is not feeling the effects of climate change, but expect it will in my lifetime
31%
32%
My local area is not feeling the effects of climate change, and do not expect it will in my lifetime
19%
18%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1306)
Very confident
5%
5%
Somewhat confident
47%
37%
Not very confident
36%
39%
Not at all confident
10%
14%
Don't know
3%
6%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Among the group of residents that felt their local area is currently feeling, or will feel, the effects of climate change in their lifetime, the top local area climate-related events were: Storms (74%), Severe wind (66%) and Bushfires (63%). The top actions residents felt should be taken to address the effects of climate change in their local area were: Protect and enhance local biodiversity (plants and animals) (65%), Educate residents on how to live more sustainably (59%) and Provide options for recycling waste (e.g. household waste, food waste, e-waste, etc.). (55%).

How is your local area currently, or how do you expect it will, feel the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
What do you feel are the best ways to address the effects of climate change in your local area?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1292)
Storms
74%
62%
Severe wind
66%
57%
Bushfires
63%
73%
Extreme heat
53%
54%
Flooding
47%
57%
Droughts
45%
49%
Sea level rise
31%
29%
Extremely cold temperatures
27%
26%
Landslide
20%
12%
Earthquakes
18%
12%
Other
6%
8%
Cyclones
6%
3%
None of these
1%
1%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1306)
Protect and enhance local biodiversity (plants and animals)
65%
63%
Educate residents on how to live more sustainably
59%
57%
Provide options for recycling waste (e.g. household waste, food waste, e-waste, etc.).
55%
48%
Adopt renewable energy sources
51%
53%
Reduce pollution of the environment
49%
51%
Conserve natural resources (e.g. air, water, soil, etc.)
47%
50%
Encourage residents to buy locally
42%
40%
Host renewable energy projects in the local area (e.g. solar, wind, hydro, etc.)
41%
43%
Through more sustainable building and development practices
41%
43%
Create renewable energy sources
40%
43%
The use of more sustainable transport options
37%
32%
Reduce carbon emissions in the local area
36%
36%
Other
6%
6%
None of these
3%
3%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Impacts of climate change on residents

Among those that believe in climate change, 37% indicated that they themselves are currently feeling the effects of climate change and a further 43% expected to within their lifetime. Of those, 9% were very confident that they would be able to adapt to the effects of climate change and a further 63% somewhat confident. 26% were not confident.

Please select the extent to which climate change is impacting or will impact you personally in your lifetime?
How confident are you that you personally will be able to adapt to the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1592)
I am feeling the effects of climate change
41%
37%
I am not feeling the effects of climate change, but expect to in my lifetime
41%
43%
I am not feeling the effects of climate change, and do not expect to in my lifetime
18%
20%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1268)
Very confident
9%
10%
Somewhat confident
63%
58%
Not very confident
22%
24%
Not at all confident
3%
5%
Don't know
2%
4%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Among the group of residents that felt they are currently feeling, or will feel, the effects of climate change in their lifetime, the top personal impacts were: Increased household running costs (e.g. energy, water, insurance, etc) (86%), Food production, making it harder and more expensive to get food items (59%) and Challenges getting around (e.g. damage to roads, public transport) (51%). 49% feel climate change will reduce their quality of life somewhat, and a further 18% feel it will reduce their quality of life a lot.

How are you currently, or how do you expect to, personally feel the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
Which of the following best represents how you believe the effects of climate change will affect your quality of life?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1268)
Increased household running costs (e.g. energy, water, insurance, etc)
86%
85%
Food production, making it harder and more expensive to get food items
59%
65%
Challenges getting around (e.g. damage to roads, public transport)
51%
44%
Essential infrastructure vulnerability (e.g. water, electricity, gas, sanitation)
45%
45%
Loss or damage to your home/property
40%
29%
My ability to leave my home due to weather (e.g. extreme heat, cold, rain, storms, wind, etc.)
39%
35%
Transport infrastructure vulnerability (e.g. roads, rail, public transport services)
34%
29%
My ability to access nature due to weather (e.g. erosion of parks, coastal areas, etc.)
32%
35%
Challenges accessing essential services (e.g. emergency and health services)
27%
32%
Reduced personal safety or health to myself and/or those around me
25%
25%
Reduction in air quality
24%
32%
Reduced value to your home/property
16%
17%
None of these
3%
2%
Other
2%
3%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1268)
It will improve a lot
1%
1%
It will improve somewhat
9%
6%
It will not change
13%
15%
It will reduce somewhat
49%
51%
It will reduce a lot
18%
19%
Don't know
9%
8%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Concerns & ideas in South Gippsland

What are the top three issues facing your local area?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
Inflation/Cost of Living
59%
57%
Transport
38%
19%
Housing/Price of Housing
32%
30%
Law & order
30%
32%
Petrol Prices/Fuel
26%
17%
Healthcare/Hospitals
23%
34%
Household Debt/Personal Debt
16%
14%
The Economy
13%
16%
Unemployment
12%
15%
Drug/Alcohol Abuse
12%
20%
Environmental Concerns
11%
7%
Poverty/Inequality
9%
11%
Taxation
6%
6%
Education
4%
5%
Population/Overpopulation
4%
10%
Race Relations/Racism
3%
2%
Immigration
2%
2%
Issues Facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
0%
2%
Defence
0%
0%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Custom Questions in South Gippsland

How reliable do you find the digital connectivity (e.g. internet, mobile networks) in your local area?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
Not reliable at all
19%
17%
Slightly reliable
15%
18%
Moderately reliable
41%
39%
Very reliable
20%
23%
Extremely reliable
6%
4%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

How likely is it that you will remain living in the Gippsland Region in the long-term (e.g. until after retirement)?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 557)
Very unlikely
8%
6%
Unlikely
7%
13%
Likely
32%
30%
Very likely
47%
41%
Unsure
7%
9%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

How likely do you believe it is that your dependent children will remain living in the Gippsland Region when they become adults?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 515)
Very unlikely
11%
9%
Unlikely
21%
26%
Likely
44%
37%
Very likely
15%
14%
Unsure
8%
15%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Energy Transition in South Gippsland

What specific benefits, if any, do you associate with Gippsland’s transition from fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) to renewable energy sources (wind, solar, etc.) over the next ten years?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1487)
Natural environment benefits
51%
53%
Improved community health
50%
54%
Job creation
48%
51%
Lower energy costs
48%
43%
Existing fossil fuel jobs to move to renewables
40%
40%
Education opportunities and skill development
36%
38%
More consistent energy prices
34%
30%
Improved reliability in energy supply
32%
31%
Grant funds for community projects
29%
25%
Improved regional economic prosperity
28%
33%
Attracting business investment in the region
26%
32%
None of the above
8%
9%
Other
5%
4%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

What concerns, if any, do you have regarding Gippsland’s transition from fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) to renewable energy sources (wind, solar, etc.) over the next ten years?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
Impacts on wildlife and environment
60%
49%
More expensive power
52%
55%
Job losses
43%
49%
Loss of usable land
35%
33%
Loss of visual amenity
30%
25%
Land prices
30%
27%
Recycling of renewable technology
30%
28%
Transmission lines
25%
20%
Mine land rehabilitation
24%
30%
None of the above
9%
9%
Other
6%
7%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Which of the following best represents your view regarding whether or to what extent your local area will benefit from the energy transition over the next ten years?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
Will not benefit my local area
37%
39%
Will benefit my local area somewhat
44%
42%
Will benefit my local area greatly
19%
19%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Which of the following best represents your view regarding whether or to what extent the broader Gippsland Region will benefit from the energy transition over the next ten years?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
Will not benefit Gippsland
30%
32%
Will benefit Gippsland somewhat
43%
44%
Will benefit Gippsland greatly
26%
24%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

To what extent do you disagree or agree that those managing Gippsland’s energy transition are working together and collaborating with the community?
South Gippsland (n = 246)
Gippsland 2024 (n = 1829)
Strongly disagree
23%
24%
Somewhat disagree
15%
21%
Neither disagree nor agree
37%
37%
Somewhat agree
19%
13%
Strongly agree
5%
4%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower