Community panel unveils its vision for the shire

COMMUNITY members have set down their vision for the Surf Coast Shire through the council’s People Place Future project.

The 35-member Community Panel was selected independently, and the demographically representative cross-section of people met between March and May to work on the project for a total of 938 hours.

People Place Future is the council’s engagement project to support the development of its Council Plan, Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan and 10-year Asset and Financial Plans.

The panel has now released its 24-page report, which includes a vision for the future of Surf Coast Shire. It is: “From the hinterland to the coast, from the first peoples to the children of the future, we are an active, diverse community that lives creatively to value, protect and enhance the natural environment and our unique neighbourhoods. We will leave the Surf Coast better than we found it.”

The Community Panel Report also contains 10 principles and recommendations for the actions to achieve them over the next four to 10 years. In order, they are:

• Protect, conserve and restore our natural environment
• Planning for growth
• Sharing our home with the world
• Maintaining community identity
• Equitable delivery of community services
• Tackling climate change and implementing climate resilient strategies
• Accountability through timely, consultative and transparent communication about proposed council decisions
• Commitment to a community that promotes cultural and recreational activities
• A place to nurture, acknowledge and promote innovation, the creative arts and industries, and
• Respectful engagement and consultations with First Nations.

Climate change and the environment, bushfire risk, residential growth, tourism, township character, community consultation and Traditional Owners were key themes in the report.

“It’s been a privilege to observe the panel members on Zoom as they have worked through this project,” shire mayor Libby Stapleton said.
“I’ve been impressed with how dedicated and passionate the group is and if ever there were different opinions they have worked respectfully and purposefully to achieve a consensus.

“The resulting panel report gives council a solid foundation for our work as we begin drafting our Council Plan and other strategic documents.”

Councillors will explore the report in detail at workshops in early June.

They will also review feedback received during the first engagement phase of People Place Future, which drew about 1,200 responses in January and February.

“For Surf Coast Shire to enjoy the best of possible futures we need a shared vision, one that not just reflects our community but is fully representative of our community – and that is where the panel has been so valuable,” Cr Stapleton said.

Panel members had access to a wide range of data including the feedback from the first phase of engagement and were supported by independent facilitators.

The panel worked independently of the council and the resulting report was authored collaboratively by the group. To read the report, head to the Surf Coast Shire’s website.