Surf Coast Shire councillors will represent the community's needs on various committees and organisations next year, in another move that will help achieve goals set out in the Council Plan.
Council decided the 2026 appointments at its December meeting, with Deputy Mayor Cr Tony Phelps highlighting the importance of the roles.
"With the recent adoption of our Council Plan and the election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, it's an ideal time to assign councillors to these committees and organisations which make a difference in our local community and the wider region," he said.
"We're committed to working towards our Council Plan goals and community priorities, and this is another way we're able to do that.
"Personally, I'm looking forward to continuing to be part of Council's Positive Ageing Advisory Committee. It's been great to see how the committee provides advice to foster a community where older people are valued, supported and empowered to live well."
The 2026 appointments are:
Committees that provide specific advice to Council
- Audit and Risk Committee: Cr Joel Grist and Cr Mike Bodsworth
- All Abilities Advisory Committee: Cr Phoebe Crockett
- CEO Employment Matters Committee: all councillors
- Positive Ageing Advisory Committee: Cr Phelps
Director positions in corporations with local government representation
- Geelong Regional Library Corporation: Cr Liz Pattison
- Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Inc. Board: CEO Robyn Seymour and Mayor Libby Stapleton
- G21 Geelong Region Alliance Ltd - Board of Directors: CEO and Mayor Stapleton
Other committees and organisations
- Municipal Association of Victoria: Mayor Stapleton
- Australian Local Government Association: Mayor Stapleton
- Geelong Heritage Centre Collection Advisory Committee: Cr Adrian Schonfelder
- Peri Urban Councils Victoria: Mayor Stapleton
- Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum: Mayor Stapleton
- MAV Emergency Management Forum: Cr Leon Walker
