Shape the shire’s future places, spaces

THE Surf Coast Shire is drawing up a plan for new or renewed community facilities and open spaces across the municipality over the next 10 years, and is calling on the community’s help to shape it.

The new Social Infrastructure Plan will guide the shire in making fair and evidence-based decisions about how it invests in places and spaces such as arts and culture facilities, public open space, playgrounds, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, youth spaces, and shared trails.

In October 2024, the shire finalised the Our Places and Spaces: State of Play document, which identified all social infrastructure across the shire and its condition, and identifying gaps or areas of need.

In this next phase, a new town-based online survey gives the community a chance to see which future projects have been identified, and have a say about what they value most.

Shire mayor Mike Bodsworth said the plan was a vital piece of work as the shire contended with challenges such as population growth, ageing assets and rising costs.

“Community facilities and open spaces help build social connection, physical health, community wellbeing and quality of life.

“We want to make sure our social infrastructure provides access for all people, is affordable, and contributes to maintaining the Surf Coast Shire as an amazing place to live.

“This is our community’s chance to help shape our priorities in this area for the next decade.”

The shire is presently responsible for a network of social infrastructure assets valued at $243 million, and spends $7 million each year on maintenance of those assets.

The Social Infrastructure Plan will take into account the shire’s existing commitments for new and renewed infrastructure, and its capacity to deliver in coming years.

“We need to plan carefully for the future to make sure we can continue to provide facilities and open spaces that meet the needs of the community,” Cr Bodsworth said.

“It’s also important we balance the cost of maintaining, upgrading and replacing our existing facilities with building new facilities for a growing population.”

The shire will host four in-person engagement sessions:

Anglesea – September 4, 11am to 2pm, outside IGA

Lorne – September 12, 11am to 2pm, outside Food Works

Torquay – September 13, 8.30am to1pm, Torquay Farmers Market

Winchelsea – September 7, 9am to 1pm, Winchelsea Community Market.

To complete the survey before September 30, head to yoursay.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/PlacesandSpaces