Community voices shape shire’s direction

COMMUNITY input has driven the Surf Coast Shire’s newly adopted four-year strategic plan, with more than 1,000 contributions informing its priorities.

Only minor changes, including the inclusion of strategic indicators under each of the plan’s five themes, have been made between the plan’s draft and final form.

“Development of a council plan is a critical part of every new council’s first year — it sets out direction and priorities for the rest of our term,” mayor Mike Bodsworth said.

“Community input is a vital part of this, so it’s fantastic that we received more than 1,000 contributions, in addition to the central role of the community panel.

“Through this council plan we have the foundation of our work for the next four years. It will keep us steady when there is doubt, guide us when tough decisions must be made, and importantly, it reflects the views of the community we are entrusted to serve.”

The shire’s public health and wellbeing plan has been integrated into the council plan, and outlines several focus areas, including increasing healthy eating, addressing family violence, improving mental health, reducing harm from alcohol and vaping, and tackling the impacts of climate change on health.

The shire has also adopted its new financial plan, which outlines how the council will maintain its growing list of facilities, currently valued at $1.3 billion, and deliver its more than 100 community services over the next decade.

Rising costs, revenue constraints, ageing assets and a growing population are expected to present challenges for the shire in the years ahead, as is the upcoming closure and rehabilitation of the Anglesea Landfill, which will cost an estimated $12.6 million.

The council expects to deliver a cash surplus this financial year, followed by deficits in seven of the following nine years. These deficits, the council says, will be accommodated through funding from the Future Cash Fund, which currently has a balance of $13 million.

“The cost of delivering our services and projects continues to rise thanks to inflation in recent years, and we are responsible for maintaining more assets than ever before,” councillor Tony Phelps said.

“This highlights the challenge ahead for us to remain financially sustainable, but we are committed to managing our finances responsibly.”