Information for new residents

Welcome to Cardinia Shire

This is a great place to live, work and raise a family, and we encourage you to explore this website as you settle into your new community.

 

Your councillors and ward

Council news

Rates (Property payments)

Rubbish and recycling services

Families with children

Maternal & Child Health (0–4 years)

You can access free health checks for your young children and support for parents. 

Our Maternal and Child Health service is free and confidential, and provides Cardinia Shire residents with: 

  • 10 health and development checks for children from birth to 3 and a half years
  • Parenting support and advice
  • Health and wellbeing information
  • Group programs
  • Additional services for early-parenting issues, including referral services and support groups.
  • Find out more about Maternal and Child Health (MCH) 

Kindergarten

You can register your children for 3 and 4-year-old kinder. Kindergarten is an education program for young children before they start school.

Youth Services (Ages 12–24)

We have a range of services, programs, events and activities to support young people (aged 12 to 24 years) in Cardinia Shire, including: 

  • My Place youth centre 
  • Youth support services
  • Youth programs and groups
  • Teenage School Holiday Program 

All our youth services activities are fully supervised and are drug, alcohol, vape and smoke-free.

Find out more information about Youth Services

Older residents and carers

We offer a range of services, events and activities to help people age well - to maintain physical and mental health, feel safe and secure, be involved in the community and stay connected with others. 

Pets

All dogs and cats must be registered with Council as soon as they turn 3 months old. We'll send you a reminder notice every year before your registration renewal is due. 

Dogs and cats need to be microchipped before being registered. Your pet must wear the lifetime registration tag on its collar at all times. 

Cats need to be desexed before being registered, and you get a discount on your dog registration fee if your dog is desexed.

You may be fined if you don't register your pet, renew its registration, or if it’s found not wearing its registration tag.

Supporting our community

We encourage a sense of community and belonging across Cardinia Shire by focusing on partnership building and supporting people. Find our more about how we're supporing our community 

Health and Wellbeing

  • Check out our public health plan, the Liveability Plan
  • Learn about available community support services

Supporting our multicultural community 

  • Cardinia Shire is proud to be a refugee and asylum seeker welcome zone.
  • We celebrate diversity and help everyone feel welcome and included.
  • Together with community partners we celebrate our diverse cultures throughout the year with events.
  • Find more information about our multicultural community

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation Action Plan

  • Cardinia Shire is located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
  • Council acknowledges the Bunurong and Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of the lands of Cardinia Shire. Council pays its respects to elders past and present, recognising their role in continuing traditions, knowledge, language and culture for over 65,000 years.
  • Cardinia Shire’s name is derived from the Kulin word ‘Kar-din-yarr’, meaning ‘look to the rising sun’ or ‘sunrise’. Council’s logo, which includes a motif of the rising sun, reflects this meaning.
  • We continually work to strengthen relationships and progress reconciliation through the delivery of actions developed in partnership with our Traditional Owners and First Nations community. 
  • Find out more information about our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and view our Reconciliation Action Plan

Planning and building

If you're building or renovating, you'll need a permit. Whether you're altering an existing property or constructing a new dwelling, our Council services can help. We offer planning advice and assist with applications for permits and amendments to ensure your project complies with local regulations.

Find more information about planning and building

Things to do

Cardinia Shire offers a variety of exciting activities for everyone! You can explore the beautiful nature reserves and parks, which are perfect for picnics, walking, or cycling. Consider joining a local sporting club or visiting a recreation center. For a day out, the Cardinia Cultural Centre hosts various arts and events. With so much to offer, Cardinia Shire is an exciting destination for both residents and visitors!

Fire, flood and emergencies

We work with government, agencies and our community to minimise the impact of all emergencies in Cardinia Shire. If you are experiencing an emergency call 000 immediately.

Roadworks and Council projects

Business and jobs

Related pages