Baw Baw Shire Council has published its Annual Report of Operations for the year ending 30 June 2025.
Following the certification of its performance and financial statements by the Victorian Auditor-General's Office, the report was officially presented at the Council Meeting on Wednesday 22 October.
Baw Baw Shire is one of Australia's fastest growing municipalities. With an estimated population of more than 60,000, the needs of the Shire are growing and changing, and Council continues in its pursuit to achieve a sustainable, healthy and thriving community, made up of people who are proud to call Baw Baw home.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Danny Goss said the past year had been a time of meaningful progress, community connection, and careful planning for the future.
"As the country's fastest-growing region, Baw Baw continues to experience significant change and with it, comes both opportunity and responsibility," Cr Goss said.
"We had a busy year for major projects and we continue to deliver a high standard of facilities and services to cater for our growing community.
"Council officially opened the Baxter Park Pavilion and the Bellbird Park, and formally opened the Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion project.
"We started works on the Drouin Recreation Reserve oval resurfacing, Copelands Road in Warragul upgrade, the redevelopment of Dowton Park Sporting Pavilion in Yarragon, major bridge works along Factory Road in Yarragon and Stage One of the Rokeby to Noojee Trail.
"The Community Grants program continues to be a funding stream that supports the work of the volunteers and organisations in our wonderful Shire and this year, I am pleased we awarded $297,281 to 71 community projects and works in the Shire.
"Financially, Council faces a challenging operating environment and we are working hard to balance the need for investment in infrastructure and services with financial management.
"As a council group, we look forward to continuing to work in partnership to build a strong and connected community for all who live, work, and visit our beautiful region."
Fast facts:
• Council managed 2,363 animal management requests
• More than 11,395 cats and dogs were registered in the Shire
• 709 Maternal, Child Health first home visits were made
• There were 198,183 physical library loans
• Approximately 1,168km of local roads were sealed; and
• Council received 357 planning applications.
The Baw Baw Shire Council Annual Report of Operations 2024/25 is available now via Council's website, with hard copies available to view at Council Customer Service Centres from next week.
