Prom Coast News
Tuesday, 22 April 2026
Your local and independent news from the Prom Coast and South Gippsland.
This week's edition arrives as hearts are heavy in Sandy Point. The council’s decision to approve private housing and close the caravan park has landed hard and the loss of affordable, beloved holiday accommodation that shaped the childhoods and family memories of generations is being felt far beyond the Prom Coast. We cover the story in full below. On a brighter note: Fish Creek has a girls' footy team, Samara Cunningham is putting our region on the national arts map, and ANZAC Day is almost upon us and we have the full round up of local services. As always, thank you for reading — The Prom Coast News team
Quote of the week
"Our town surrounded our girls as they ran on the ground for their first game — with mums, grandmas and some of our star netballers saying, 'I wish I could have done this when I was a kid.'"— Donna Gillam, on Fish Creek's inaugural girls' footy team
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Local news
Sandy Point caravan park closure breaks hearts
The Sandy Point Caravan Park will be redeveloped into 11 permanent dwellings after South Gippsland Shire Council narrowly approved the contentious planning application at its 15 April meeting, with Mayor Nathan Hersey casting the deciding vote twice in a 4-4 deadlock. The decision signals the end of a years-long battle over affordable coastal accommodation that has hosted generations of Prom Coast families.
Councillor Sarah Gilligan was unsparing: "This has been affordable accommodation for 60 years and we are removing that. I think this is a very, very bad decision on behalf of this council." It is understood that a further VCAT challenge may be under consideration.
South Gippsland puts austerity budget to the community
Residents have until 3 May to comment on a draft budget reworked in just four days due to rising global fuel costs. The $90.55m budget is balanced — no cash surplus, no deficit — and includes $24.4m in capital works, FOGO rollout, safer roads and an offshore wind planning partnership with Wellington Shire. Have your say at yoursay.southgippsland.vic.gov.au
More news
→ Tennis court standoff reaches uneasy truce
→ Council calls on businesses to share fuel cost impact
→ Bass Strait rig parts to stay on seabed — fishers push back
→ Heritage protections mooted for Toora and Fish Creek streets
Community
Anzac Day commemorations across the Prom Coast
Five memorial services will be held across the Corner Inlet district on Saturday 25 April. Fish Creek: 11am at the War Memorial Rock of Remembrance (ANZAC biscuits and a cuppa to follow). Foster: march from the Historical Museum at 10.45am, service at 11am, guest speaker Afghanistan veteran Ric Jackson. Toora: dawn service 6am, wreath laying 11am. Welshpool: 9.30am service.
More community
→ Local vollies needed for RFDS community transport
→ Shining a light: Corner Inlet Candlelight Vigil
→ Cars, cuppas and cancer fundraising at Tarwin Lower
→ Marion Haupt: 93 years of living, nursing and giving
Lifestyle
Fish Creek artist selected for prestigious national arts program
Samara Cunningham has won a place in the inaugural Practice in Community cohort run by Regional Arts Australia and the Minderoo Foundation. Her project, Happenstance, creates unexpected creative encounters in everyday Fish Creek spaces to address social isolation. A group photo to mark the launch is planned at Fish Creek Village Green, 5.15pm Friday 15 May.
FAMDA takes on Sartre: No Exit opens soon
Foster's FAMDA stages Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialist classic No Exit from 29 April to 3 May at the Foster War Memorial Arts Centre. Three damned souls, one locked room, eternal torment — all delivered by an all-local cast. Strictly limited seats. Book at trybooking.com/DJHBM
Sport
Go Fishy! Fish Creek girls run out for historic first game
Fish Creek's brand new girls' footy team faced Phillip Island in their inaugural match on 17 April — and nearly pulled off a stunning upset, going down just 16-15 after Marlow Hamlett kicked a point on the siren. Round 2 is a home game at Fish Creek, Friday 24 April at 6.30pm. Get around them!
Read Donna Gillam's full report →
MGFNL Round 2: Foster demolish Boolarra; four-point thriller at Yinnar
The Tigers put on a double ton against Boolarra (201-37) to signal their premiership intentions. Meanwhile, Yinnar held off a ferocious MDU fightback to win by four points in what many are calling the game of the season so far.
McKnight makes history at Stony Creek
Ryan McKnight pulled on the maroon for the 418th time on Saturday, breaking the all-time Stony Creek games record held by his father Don McKnight (417). The club saluted him with a win.
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