One year into Surf Coast Shire's Council Plan 2025–2029, two thirds of the 43 key initiatives identified for the first year have been completed, with the remaining third underway.
The Council Plan sets the strategic direction for Council and outlines how it will deliver on the community's 10-Year Community Vision. Progress is tracked through an annual Action Plan, with the year one report covering performance to 30 June 2026.
The 43 key initiatives highlight priority areas for delivering the Council Plan objectives, alongside Council's everyday service delivery. The year one report updates progress on the 2025–26 initiatives, many of which will continue into the next financial year. A new Action Plan was adopted in June 2026 to guide year two priorities.
The results show progress across Council's five strategic directions: assets and infrastructure, climate and environmental leadership, community wellbeing, sustainable communities and high-performing Council.
Of the 43 key initiatives identified for 2025–26:
- 29 initiatives have been completed.
- 14 initiatives are in progress, with eight on track, four experiencing minor delays and two behind schedule.
Completed initiatives include:
- Spring Creek oval redevelopment in Torquay.
- Coombes Road renewal and enhancement in Torquay.
- Playground renewals at Bob Pettitt Reserve, Newling Reserve and Ocean Acres.
- Karaaf stormwater diversion design.
- Lorne Affordable Housing project initiated.
- Anglesea River and Painkalac Creek flood studies.
- Soft plastic recycling via Anglesea Transfer Station.
- Christmas decoration activation project.
- Community Grants celebration program.
- Lorne landscaped reflection space.
- Surf Coast Arts Trail.
- Winchelsea Place Plan community engagement.
- New synthetic hockey facility in the Banyul Warri Fields precinct, Torquay.
Four initiatives are experiencing minor delays, including the delivery of an emissions reduction strategy, road and active transport infrastructure projects, and the development of an approach to reviewing fees and charges and investigating additional revenue opportunities.
Two initiatives are behind schedule: detailed design for the Anglesea Community Health and Housing project, which is awaiting the outcome of a federal government grant application, and development of a policy for sealed roads, which is currently in draft form.
These initiatives are being actively managed, with work continuing towards delivery.
Cr Liz Pattison said the regular reporting provided an important way for Council and the community to track progress against the Council Plan.
"We've achieved some great things over the past 12 months, from delivering major projects like the Spring Creek oval redevelopment and new synthetic hockey facility, to completing the new Spring Creek pedestrian bridge in Torquay, which has received a lot of positive feedback from the community. We're also making progress on important work in affordable housing, environmental projects, recycling and community planning."
"While some initiatives have experienced delays, it's important that we're transparent about where things are at and what's being done to keep them moving".
"This report gives our community a clear picture of what we've delivered over the past year and where we're heading in the year ahead," Cr Pattison said.
