The Surf Coast Shire Council continues to achieve the goals in the Council Plan 2021-2025 with the release of the Mid Year Three Council Plan Progress Report.
The Council Plan 2021-2025 outlines the goals of the current Council and provides a road map for how these goals will be achieved. There are 19 strategies in the Council Plan that are grouped under seven themes, all contributing to the Community Vision.
This is the fifth progress report for the Council Plan delivery, representing progress made to the middle of year three of the plan.
Highlights of some of the key progress made over the reporting period includes:
- The Reflect, Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has been adopted and work has begun on key actions within the plan grouped under – Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance.
- Wadawurrung's Gobata Dja (Caring for Country) team continue to undertake land management work on Wadawurrung culturally significant Council owned/managed sites.
- Anglesea Community and Health Hub Precinct planning continues to progress.
- Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre project now at tender stage.
- Jan Juc to Bellbrae shared pathway project planning underway.
- Supported local community conservation efforts including planting 2,000 plants as well as weed works and grant funding support.
- Continued to increase diversion and recovery of waste now above 73% at Council-managed waste disposal sites.
- Stronger focus on increasing support for professional artists.
- The Council maintained a positive financial position at the end of 2022-23 recording a surplus of $1.2m with cash and investments allocated to future projects and commitments.
Over the next 18 months, focus areas include:
- Deliver Reflect RAP and begin development of the next Innovate RAP.
- Support developing community led Reconciliation groups.
- Continue to ensure all new or redeveloped facility designs meet best practice including universal design and equity assessments.
- Deliver community initiatives grants.
- Continue to support community advocacy and agency initiatives to protect and improve the health of Anglesea River.
- Complete the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at key locations across the shire, including high visitation coastal towns as Lorne.
- Undertake climate risk assessments across the shire to identify areas and assets most vulnerable to climate impacts and help prioritise adaptation efforts.
- Connecting businesses with ethical, social and sustainability initiatives.
- Complete the Creative Halls project to enable community groups and professional artists to book community halls for exhibitions.
"It is great to reflect and acknowledge the achievements that have been made by the Council over the last three plus years. A lot of the work achieved by the Council relates back to the input from our community to establish the Community Vision in the Council Plan, to enhance our natural environment and our unique neighbourhoods and leave the Surf Coast better than how we found it," Surf Coast Shire Cr Gary Allen said.
"We know the work is not complete yet and we will keep progressing towards the stated outcomes in the Council Plan." he said.
