Bayside City Council, Victoria

01/09/2026

It's the first day of spring and National Wattle Day, so we’re shining a light on this star: the Spike wattle 💛🌼

Spike wattle (Acacia oxycedrus) is a hardy and adaptable shrub or small tree that typically grows between 1 and 3 metres tall.

Its dense, prickly foliage makes it an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens, providing shelter and protection for small birds, while also attracting bees, butterflies and other insects 🐦🐝🦋

Spike wattle grows well in a variety of soil types, from moist, well-drained soils to sandy sites.

Bring more birds, bees and butterflies to your garden this planting season with this native plant, available for purchase from the Bayside Community Nursery 💚

🔗 More on the Bayside Community Nursery: https://pulse.ly/bxk8hqmobw

[Image description: Close-up of a Spike wattle, photographed by Pauline Reynolds.]

01/09/2026

One case of H5 bird flu has recently been detected in Bayside.

We understand this may be distressing, as our wildlife is an important part of what makes Bayside special.

While the risk to people and pets is extremely low, Agriculture Victoria advises that precautions should be taken to help protect local wildlife, pets and our environment.

If you're visiting the foreshore, please keep dogs on lead in areas where native wildlife is present, and where on leash restrictions apply.

If you spot a sick or dead bird or marine mammal, particularly along the foreshore, please report it to Agriculture Victoria:

📍 Avoid contact and keep children and pets away.
📸 Record the location and, if safe, take photos from a distance.
📱 Report it via Agriculture Victoria’s online reporting tool: https://pulse.ly/kqtfjymt3w

🔗 For the latest information and to report, visit Agriculture Victoria’s website: https://pulse.ly/7rsigsdb57

[Image description: Crested Tern at Half Moon Bay, photographed by Pauline Reynolds.]

30/08/2026

Time is running out to influence our skate and bike projects! ⌛🚴‍♂️🛹

Consultation on the Skate and Bike Action Plan, and the Tulip Street, Elsternwick Park South and Hurlingham Park skate/bike projects, is closing at 5pm on Monday 31 August.

Whether you're into skateboarding, BMX, mountain biking, scootering, rollerblading or just hanging out with friends, your ideas can help shape what's built now and over the next 10 years.

👀 Check out what’s planned in our draft Skate and Bike Action Plan
📝 Complete our quick 5-minute survey
📍 Drop a pin on the map and share your ideas.

🔗 Visit our Have Your Say page to learn more and provide your feedback before Monday 31 August: https://pulse.ly/isslixdr08

[Image description: Several children wearing helmets ride bicycles and scooters on a pump track at an outdoor recreation area, with additional riders using the facility in the background.]

28/08/2026

Migratory shorebirds will soon start to arrive in Bayside 🐦🌊

Each year, thousands of migratory birds travel from the Arctic to Australia's shores to rest and feed in preparation for their breeding season.

This year, they face an additional challenge, with H5N1 bird flu now present in wild birds in Victoria.

While there have been no confirmed cases in Bayside, we're taking sensible precautions to help protect local wildlife, pets and our environment.

If you're visiting the foreshore, please keep dogs on lead in areas where native wildlife is present, and where on leash restrictions apply.

It’s important to give shorebirds and seabirds plenty of space to rest and recover. Some birds that contract H5N1 bird flu may recover, helping to build resilience within wild populations.

If you see sick or dead birds or marine mammals, remember to Avoid, Record, Report:

📍 Avoid contact and keep children and pets away.
📸 Record the location and, if safe, take photos from a distance.
📱 Report it via Agriculture Victoria's online reporting tool: https://pulse.ly/olxnsvbz5j

🔗 We'll continue to monitor local open spaces and provide updates as needed. For the latest information, visit Agriculture Victoria’s website: https://pulse.ly/aztwjaayl8

[Video description: Shorebirds on the intertidal rocky platforms at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary.]

27/08/2026

Two municipalities. One problem.

The Mayors of Bayside and City of Kingston are joining together to call for urgent action on potholes and deteriorating conditions on state-owned roads.

Residents are tired of vehicle damage, safety risks and delays caused by roads that should be properly maintained.

It's time for the State Government to invest in safer roads for our growing communities.

🔗 Learn more: bayside.vic.gov.au/news/bayside-and-kingston-join-forces-demand-better-state-roads

[Video description: Mayor, Cr Georgina Oxley - City of Kingston (left) and Councillor Debbie Taylor-Haynes, Mayor of Bayside City Council (right) stand at the intersection of Nepean Highway and South Road. Clips of them talking are interspersed with footage of potholes and road damage, busy roads, and vehicle repairs.]

26/08/2026

We're getting ready to open the wetlands at Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve 💧

The opening will mark a significant milestone in the transformation of the former Elsternwick Park Golf Course into one of Melbourne’s most important urban nature reserves.

Covering more than 40% of the reserve, the wetlands include 2.5km of accessible pathways, 1,900 new trees and 200,000 new plants.

The area will provide critical habitat for wildlife, improve water quality flowing into Elster Creek and Port Phillip Bay, and create a welcoming place for visitors to walk, explore, and connect with nature.

Supported by $5.5 million in Australian Government funding, the wetlands form a centrepiece of the reserve’s masterplan, delivering long-term environmental, community and biodiversity benefits.

Thank you to the Australian Government, Viva Energy Australia, and Melbourne Water for their support in helping bring this important project to life 💚

[Reel description: Drone aerial footage of the wetlands at Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve, featuring the surrounding reserve, suburbs, and city in the background.]

25/08/2026

We’re calling for the Victorian Government to provide full funding for the expansion of existing kindergarten sites in Bayside ahead of this year’s state election 🧒👋

Demand for kindergarten places is expected to rise significantly in coming years, with Bayside projected to face a 25% shortfall by 2036.

Further pressure will be placed on places in order to fulfill the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life policy and 'free kinder'.

Early Years education is a Victorian Government responsibility, and significant investment is required to secure the infrastructure needed to educate future generations.

Authorised by the Bayside City Council, 76 Royal Avenue Sandringham VIC 3191

🔗 Find out more about our advocacy: bayside.vic.gov.au/council/advocacy

[Video description: Councillor Debbie Taylor-Haynes, Mayor of Bayside City Council delivering a piece to camera outdoors, interspersed with clips of children in kindergartens.]

25/08/2026

Getting around is now even easier, with a new Sandringham line timetable delivering extra weekly services and more direct connections from Bayside to Southern Cross Station 🚆

Under the timetable changes, the Sandringham line joins up with the Werribee, Laverton and Williamstown lines, resulting in 155 new weekly services.

✅ Trains every 10 minutes on weekdays between Sandringham and Newport (6:30am to 8:40pm)
✅ Earlier weekend services, with trains every 20 minutes from early morning until midnight
✅ Easier access to regional trains, SkyBus and destinations across Melbourne's west.

Some services will continue to terminate at Flinders Street, so make sure you check your journey before travelling.

🔗 Find out more about the changes: transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-resources/projects/metro-tunnel/more-ways-to-move

Transport Victoria

New timetables have arrived! This means more services, and better connections from today.
Check your changes here: transport.vic.gov.au/more-ways-to-move

24/08/2026

Improving community safety is important for Bayside, and we want the Victorian Government to invest more resources and attention to address this issue ahead of this year’s state election 👋

We're calling for:
• an increase in frontline police
• funding for local safety initiatives and pilot programs
• expanded youth crime prevention programs
• stronger support for Neighbourhood Watch.

We are also seeking an understanding of how Bayside’s $27 million contribution to the Victorian Government’s Emergency Services Volunteer Fund in 2025/26 will be spent improving emergency services, including police, in our municipality.

Funds raised in Bayside should be spent in Bayside. We deserve our fair share.

Authorised by Bayside City Council, 76 Royal Avenue Sandringham VIC 3191

🔗 Find out more about our advocacy: bayside.vic.gov.au/council/advocacy

[Video description: Councillor Debbie Taylor-Haynes, Mayor of Bayside City Council standing in front of a police station, interspersed with clips of police officers, a mobile CCTV camera, and footage of a police officer installing a number plate onto a vehicle using anti-theft screws.]

24/08/2026

It’s Children’s Book Week (24-28 August)! 📚😍💫

We’re celebrating the magic of books, stories and imagination at Bayside Libraries with special Book Week-themed Storytimes throughout the week.

Come dressed as your favourite character and join us in celebrating the wonderful world of storytelling, as well as the authors and illustrators who bring these stories to life.

Whether you're a very hungry caterpillar, a wizard, superhero, princess, or a character from your favourite book, we'd love to see you 😍👸🦹🧑‍🚒🧚‍♀️

There are also a few tickets remaining for our Book Week BLAST at Sandy Library this Thursday with children's author Matt Shanks. This fun drawing workshop will explore multi-panel, comic-style storytelling. Register via the link below before it fills up!

🔗 More on our library events: https://pulse.ly/gxwvehtjew

[Image description: a series of illustrative characters including a gnome, mouse, rabbit, owl and penguin, with the heading ‘Symphony of Stories’.]