Surf Coast Shire Council is delivering strong early progress on its Council Plan 2025–2029, with most Year 1 initiatives on track and six already completed at the halfway point of the first financial year.
The Council Plan sets the strategic direction and outlines how Council will deliver on the community's 10-Year Community Vision. Progress is tracked through an annual Action Plan, with this half-year report covering performance to 31 January 2026.
Of the 43 key initiatives identified for 2025–26:
- 6 initiatives have been completed
- 33 initiatives are on track
- 4 initiatives are being monitored
Completed initiatives include delivery of the Community Grants Program, finalisation of the Social Infrastructure Plan, construction of a new synthetic hockey facility in Torquay, delivery of the annual Surf Coast Arts Trail, development of a Service Review Policy and support for the Anglesea community to develop a community plan.
The four initiatives currently being monitored relate to complex road and active transport projects, investigation of additional revenue opportunities, detailed design work for the Anglesea Community Health and Housing project, and advocacy regarding tourist bus management along the Great Ocean Road.
These projects are in early planning stages or subject to external approvals and are being actively managed.
Mayor Cr Libby Stapleton said the results demonstrate strong delivery momentum across Council's five strategic directions: assets and infrastructure, climate and environmental leadership, community wellbeing, sustainable communities and high performing Council.
"Six months into the plan and almost 90% of our Year 1 initiatives are progressing as planned or completed, and we are already seeing tangible benefits flowing to our community," the Mayor said.
"Public health and wellbeing remains central to our work, with the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan formally integrated into the Council Plan."
"Every initiative is aligned to health and wellbeing pillars to ensure we see benefits such as active living, social connection, environmental sustainability and long-term community resilience."
"Our Council Plan isn't a document that's just filed away on a shelf, it guides most of what we do, and these Action Plan progress reports will help keep us on track and accountable over its four-year life span," she said.
A full-year Council Plan Action Plan report will be presented at the end of the financial year, including performance against strategic indicators across each Strategic Direction.
