From opening the Inverloch to Wonthaggi Trail and the Sunset Strip Bike Jump Park, to supporting local events, planting hundreds of thousands of native plants and advocating for the future of Bass Coast, the recently adopted Bass Coast Shire Council 2025-2026 Annual Report showcases another busy year for the community.
Adopted at today's Council Meeting, the Annual Report provides a snapshot of Council's performance over the past year, highlighting the projects, services and priorities delivered across Bass Coast.
Some of the year's highlights included:
- Supporting 56 events and 35 markets, attracting more than 360,000 attendees.
- Opening the Wonthaggi to Inverloch Trail.
- Officially opening the Sunset Strip Bike Jump Park.
- Planting more than 800 trees and supporting the planting of more than 369,000 native plants.
- Welcoming 110 new Australian citizens.
- Awarding more than $305,000 in Community Grants.
- Progressing major projects including the Cowes Streetscape Project.
- Receiving state and national recognition for innovation, sustainability and disaster readiness.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Brett Tessari said the report reflected a year of strong delivery, advocacy and community partnership.
"Looking back on 2025-2026, I'm proud to reflect on a year of strong advocacy, community leadership and continued progress for Bass Coast," Cr Tessari said.
"Council has continued to invest in projects and services that make a real difference to our community, while also advocating strongly for the infrastructure, environmental protection and community facilities our growing region needs."
The Annual Report also outlines Council's financial performance and progress against the first year of the Council Plan 2025-2029. This includes a capital works program that exceeded the annual budget by $1.7 million, a net debt reduction of over $5 million, whilst maintaining a balance funding statement.
Community is encouraged to take a look at the Bass Coast Shire Council 2025-2026 Annual Report, which is designed to be easy to read and includes photos, stories and highlights from across the year, helping paint a picture of the breadth of Council's work and its impact across the community.
For those wanting to dive deeper, the report also includes Council's Annual Financial Report, Performance Statement and the final Quarter 4 Performance Report, providing a comprehensive snapshot of Council's achievements, service delivery and financial performance over the 2025-2026 financial year.
The Bass Coast Shire Council 2025-2026 Annual Report is available at basscoast.vic.gov.au/annualreport
