Koonwarra & District
The Village
Koonwarra Sustainable Communities Centre Inc
The Great Southern Rail Trail
KSCC Manager
Area Map
Koonwarra is in the heart of dairy country, nestled between the rolling hills of the Strezlecki Ranges, the ancient Bunurong Coast and the awe inspiring world heritage Wilsons Promontory. Visitors and residents can experience our region by travelling down the upgraded South Gippsland Highway, wandering along the Grand Ridge Road, surfing the Coastal Promontory beaches, riding the Great Southern Rail Trail and relaxing in our hospitality and natural abundance.
The Village
Koonwarra is proud of its pioneers and is now a leader in environmental innovations, striving to educate everyone in environment awareness and sustainable living whilst encouraging an even greater community spirit.
It is a picturesque Village with strong traditional community groups such as the CFA, Memorial Hall Committee and Recreation Reserve Committee which maintains this scenic reserve at a very high standard. Koonwarra is also well known for fine food and wine, contemporary arts and craft, innovative health and well being services, a leader in promoting organic foods, plastic bag free, Australia's first Waste Wise Village, home of Greenfleet Australia. Regional Farmers Markers and the Slow Food initiatives were conceived here and have spread to other areas.
Although the South Gippsland Highway now almost bypasses the town the Village cannot be missed with its painted swan and wetlands Koonwarra sign, avenues of trees planted over the last couple of years and the new parkland surrounding a new toilet block for visitors. Two community sign boards are prominent and we are currently working with Council on the erection of an innovative sculptural community signboard to be placed on the highway to draw travellers into a town by displaying community events. This sign is also to advertise the fact we are "Waste Wise".
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Koonwarra Sustainable Communities Centre Inc
The Koonwarra Sustainable Communities Centre, formed at the former Koonwarra Primary School through dedicated community involvement and foresight, is the pivotal force connecting the community and shaping its future. Contained within the Centre office is a Community Library and computer facilities are available to the public. The grounds are used for community events such as Christmas Carols, BBQs, Scout camps, Native Plant Display weekend and is available to community groups, businesses, Council etc for workshops, seminars and picnics using the inground cooking pit. Games for children such as giant quoits, giant pick up stick, and twister are available and a maze constructed with Australian plants is growing. An educational Bicycle track winds its way through the 4 acre property and is popular with locals and schools. (One family has even joined their dog as a member of the Centre!)
The local Bike Ed Challenge is held at the Centre each year. The Centre is proud of the trees, some of which were planted over 40 years ago, and the relaxed atmosphere generated.
The town is a stopping off point for visitors to the Prom Coast Region and also a preferred location for those wishing a relaxed meal or coffee with friends with many people driving from Melbourne just for the experience. The chance to learn organic cooking, paint a plate or make a mosaic item also draws visitors.
The Great Southern Rail Trail
passes through our Village and this is maintained by a volunteer committee and also brings many visitors. top
http://www.promcountry.com.au/railtrail/
The Manager of the Koonwarra Sustainable Communities Centre
is a former Chairperson of the South Gippsland Shire Council Consultative Committee, a group that formulates proposals to put to Council and discusses the effects of Council initiatives and assists formulating policies. Mr Burge is still on the Committee and therefore an important figure in this Region keeping environmental issues before the community. Through his persistence the Council has now realised it needs to develop an Environmental Policy as it currently does not have one. One point of concern for the Village is that the Council disallows rubbish bins, including recycle bins in the parks, car parks etc. This is done to encourage people to take their rubbish away with them. The South Gippsland Shire Council has a representative on the Board of the Koonwarra Sustainable Communities Centre and has worked with the Centre on a number of its initiatives such as formulating a proposal for a Waste Management Display facility which the Centre is still hopeful of completing despite problems with obtaining funding.
If you would like to have more information about Koonwarra, please contact the Koonwarra Sustainable Communities Centre Inc on 5664 2461 or click here . "Contact Us" at the top of the page provides email contact.
Please click the following link to learn more about
Koonwarra and District
www.visitpromcountry.com
Area Map
Koonwarra is 150 km from Melbourne with a travel time of approximately one and a half hours when taking the Monash Freeway (M1). Turn off at the Cranbourne/Phillip Island exit (M420) and then the Korumburra/Leongatha exit (M440). The V-Line bus service covers this route.
