Empowering community to drive and deliver projects was a feature in Surf Coast Shire Council’s 2023-24 Annual Report, adopted at the October Council meeting.
The annual report highlighted a diverse range of community-led projects, including the Quay Reserve Community Orchard Irrigation Upgrade in Torquay, Mount Moriac Electronic Scoreboard, and the vibrant mural on a 42m wall facing Winchelsea’s railway reserve.
“These projects are a shining example of how a small contribution from Council can have a big impact, and how there is nothing quite like locals’ knowledge and desire to make something happen,” Council CEO Robyn Seymour said.
Council’s annual report shares achievements and performance over the past financial year.
“We have made huge strides towards fostering an active community, headlined by the progression of two major projects: the Winchelsea Pool re-development and the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre,” Robyn said.
“The Winchelsea Pool is on track to re-open during the upcoming summer, while preliminary works on the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre in north Torquay are underway.
“In Anglesea, netballers, officials and supporters have enjoyed utilising the new Anglesea Netball Pavilion which officially opened in April.”
Other achievements include:
- A review of the Surf Coast Planning Scheme and subsequent drafting of the Urban Futures Strategy, which aims to guide where urban growth can occur more sustainably.
- Pedestrian and cycling improvements on Fischer Street, Beach Road and the Grossmans Road education precinct to cater for the growing Torquay community.
- More than 4,500 biodiverse locally indigenous seedlings planted by school students and community groups, to revegetate Council’s 11-hectare offset planting site in Buckley.
- The development of the Circular Economy Action Plan and the implementation of the Climate Emergency Action Plan. Council’s non-landfill emissions continue to trend down, with a 4.1% reduction from the previous year.
- A community advisory group co-designed a concept for the Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing Project, enabling a 50-year lease with Housing Choices Australia. Meanwhile a community co-design also helped develop a long-term vision, design principles and concept plan for the Anglesea Community and Health Hub.
- Another successful Wadawurrung-led Pilk Purriyn truth-telling event, as well as this year’s Journey On Wadawurrung Country. The latter, an immersive exhibition, was an opportunity for almost 2,000 visitors to deeply listen to the lived experience, knowledge, and history of Wadawurrung people, as part of National Reconciliation Week.
Council generated an accumulated unallocated cash surplus of $1.9m at year-end and is holding cash and investments allocated to deliver future projects and commitments, to help meet the needs of the community.
The annual report is available at surfcoast.vic.gov.au/AnnualReport.
