Surf Coast Shire Council has approved its 2022-23 Annual Report, which boasts many achievements and a sound financial position.
Council noted the report during its October 24 meeting, which outlined its performance for the year against the four-year plan and annual budget.
Councillor Gary Allen said council finished the year in a positive financial position and that the report recorded a surplus of $1.2 million while delivering important community services and projects.
“Sustainable financial viability underpins the vast array of achievements noted in the report, for example, to create a healthy connected community,” he said.
“We continue to form strong partnerships with our traditional owners and work to achieve genuine reconciliation within our community.”
Cr Allen said council was still looking to meet the needs of local businesses for affordable housing and accommodation for essential workers.
“The report highlights the challenges we face in achieving sustainable growth given that tourism has not returned to the pre-pandemic levels,” he said.
“The strength of our events program in attracting local visitors to the region helps negate the decline in oversea visitor numbers.”
Deputy Mayor Mike Bodsworth said the report highlighted some great council achievements but still had “good grounds for improvements” in the Surf Coast community.
“The rate of waste diverted from landfill has increased significantly dramatically since 2020 when it was below 50 per cent, and now 73 per cent of waste is diverted from landfill,” he said.
“So, an excellent result there in waste but I note that we can do a lot better because 53 per cent of red bin contents, which is the general waste bins, is recoverable.”
The 2022-23 Surf Coast Shire Council Annual Report is available at surfcoast.vic.gov.au
