Gippsland local news briefing: Monday, September 21, 2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Here's what's making news in Gippsland today.

The Victoria Police Homicide Squad is investigating the death of a man in Maffra last night.

Emergency services were called after two men were found with serious injuries on Landy Street about 10pm.

When police arrived, they found the deceased man and another man with serious injuries.

Police have charged a Boolarra mother with allegedly sewing a recording device into her non-verbal son's school clothing.

Skye Cooper said she feared her son was being physically abused at school.

The alleged surveillance was reported to police and Ms Cooper has since been charged with using a listening device.

A fire at Seacombe on the Longford-Loch Sport Road has been downgraded to advice level and is no longer threatening communities in the area.

Authorities are still urging people to stay informed, despite the downgraded alert.

The fire is travelling in a north-easterly direction and is not yet under control.

CFA District 11 commander Aaron Worcester said there was still a lot of the fire perimeter to bring under control, but a change in the weather had helped efforts.

V/Line is trialling new AI technology from Swinburne University that could make level crossings in regional Victoria safer.

Thousands of level crossings in regional Australia have no boom gates, lights or bells and only signs warning drivers about oncoming trains.

The solar-powered technology, which looks like a trailer with a camera attached, uses AI to detect approaching trains and alert road users.

Swinburne University professor Chris McCarthy said it was a cost-effective alternative to fully upgrading a level crossing.

Police are investigating a crash that killed two people at Shady Creek in West Gippsland on Saturday afternoon.

A car hit a tree off Old Sale Road just after 5:30pm.

The man and woman who died are yet to be formally identified.

A new national trial is underway in Moe to help schools deliver healthy lunches to students.

Charity group Eat Up has launched its Spoonfull program at Elizabeth Street Primary School to help the school provide a series of lunch options to all students.

The program partners with the school to fund food and ingredients, as well as kitchen items including commercial fridges and ovens.

Principal Ian Frost said the program had been a huge success.

The Bass Coast Shire Council is advocating to the Victorian government for improved public transport.

At its September meeting, the council agreed to write to the state government seeking a review of bus services, connections and infrastructure.

The council adopted an Integrated Transport Strategy last year and has pushed for better transport connections.

Councillor Tracey Bell said the community was frustrated and she had received more feedback about public transport in recent months than in the past two years.