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
- Meet your Mayor and councillors
- Find out which ward you live in
- Come to a Council meeting
- Have your say via community consultation opportunities
- Watch Council meetings online
- Monitor Council's performance
Council news
- Follow us on Facebook
- Check our latest news
- Read Connect residents' magazine
Rates (Property payments)
- You can pay your rates online - Pay your rates
- To discuss your rates, you can call 1300 787 624
- Find out more information about rates
Rubbish and recycling services
- Check your bin collection days
- Book a hard waste collection
- Check dates for green waste drop-off days
- Order a green waste bin or extra bin
- Get money back for reducing waste
- Find local tips and transfer stations
- Find more information about rubbish and recycling
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.
- We manage the registration and placement of children at community kindergartens in Cardinia Shire.
- Find out more information about kindergarten
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.
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.
- If you have any questions please contact our Ageing Well Facilitator on 1300 787 624 or email mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au
- Find more information for seniors and carers
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.
- Register your pet
- Find outdoor spaces for dogs
- Find out what to do if your dog or cat is lost
- Find more information about pets
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
- Find zones, overlays and what is planned for where you live
- Info for owner builders
- Request building or property information
- Request planning documents or advice
- Check if you need a planning permit
- Apply for an asset protection permit
- Request legal point of discharge
- Get your property's title or property certificate
- Find out about removing trees from your property
- Pay the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
- Find out how to get a building permit
- Check if you are in a bushfire prone area
- Check if you are in a flood prone area
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
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!
- Join the library
- Find local events
- Check out upcoming shows at the Cardinia Cultural Centre
- Visit a playground, park or outdoor space
- Find local community services and groups
- Head to a neighbourhood house or community centre
- Book a community facility
- Visit Cardinia Life recreation facility
- Swim in an indoor or outdoor pool
- Join a sporting club
- Learn more about our area's history
- See volunteering opportunities
Burning off
Business and jobs
- Find local businesses
- Register a food business
- Register a health or beauty business
- View our current vacancies