Bass Coast Shire Council has delivered its 2022/23 Annual Report, highlighting a year of continued growth and development for the region.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Michael Whelan said the past 12 months were something all ratepayers should be proud of and included significant investment in capital works projects and recognition with several prestigious awards.
"The 2022-23 Annual Report is a snapshot of Council's achievements, investments and dedication to our community," Cr Whelan said.
"In the 2022-23 financial year, we delivered more than $46.9 million in capital works projects, took our incredible prehistoric history to a global stage by hosting the Dinosaur Trail Symposium; and played a lead role protecting the environment and planning for a more sustainable future."
Highlights of the year include:
- Council's $46.9 million capital works program, which included a new cultural centre at Cowes, skate park in Kilcunda and dedicated sporting pavilions for soccer and croquet.
- Bass Coast becoming one of the first councils in the world to use climate change risk data to predict the potential impacts on Council's buildings and a plan to manage these risks.
- Several awards, including the Best Playspace over $500,000 at the 2023 Parks and Leisure Australia Awards of Excellence for its new $1.77 million Guide Park, Wonthaggi.
- Council's partnership with Hawthorn Football Club.
- The Dinosaur Trail Symposium, which brought together world leading palaeontologists and scientific researchers and educators to discuss the importance of the Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail.
- Endorsement of Council's first Urban Forest Strategy to mitigate climate change by protecting and growing our natural vegetation.
- Acknowledgement of the valuable contributions of local volunteers and community members in the first Bass Coast Community Awards.
- Awarding $282,823 in community grants.
Cr Whelan said the pull of the unique Bass Coast lifestyle and burgeoning tourism attractions continued to go from strength-to-strength, evident in the vast population growth in the past five years, which has increased by 25%.
"Each year, Bass Coast attracts more than 3 million visitors and by 2036, Council's population is expected to grow by 10,000 to more than 51,000. With continued population growth predicted, investment in the public realm is essential to ensuring a high quality of life for our community."
The annual report also highlights Council's actions to address the declared climate emergency and reduce the region's emissions to net zero by 2030, including transitioning more council fleet vehicles to electric models and exploring options for green trucks, mowers and street sweepers.
"Our commitment to a sustainable future is something we are incredibly proud of. Everyone has a role to play in fighting climate change, and every action we take - from big things like slowing beach erosion around our bays to everyday actions like installing more community electric car chargers - plays a role in protecting the unique environment we call home at Bass Coast," Cr Whelan said.
