Our Focus Our Future was designed to guide the creation of a number of strategic documents, including the Council Plan and Health & Wellbeing Plan.

Over a series of community engagement phases, we ask you about your priorities and experiences in your local area, so that community input could feed into Council's direction over the next four years.

February 2025

A huge thank you to everyone who shared your views, providing us with helpful feedback for Surf Coast Shire Council’s Our Focus Our Future community engagement project.

Between mid-November and early February, Council received 858 survey responses, 83 youth surveys, feedback from around 80 kids and 16 group submissions. Councillors and officers also spoke to more than 1,110 people at 16 pop up sessions across the shire. These contributions as a part of the Our Focus Our Future project will help set the strategic direction for 2025-2029.

The engagement revealed a highly invested community with a number of priorities emerging:

• Environmental protection and sustainable growth: Strong community desire to protect natural spaces and prevent overdevelopment.
• Cost of living and housing affordability: Housing shortages and rising living costs are major challenges.
• Infrastructure and transport: Concerns about public transport limitations, road safety, and cycling/pedestrian accessibility.
• Tourism and local impact: Concerns about seasonal overcrowding and its effect on infrastructure require careful management.
• Health and wellbeing: Mental health concerns, family violence and substance abuse were identified as issues.

When asked about financial sustainability, respondents supported a balanced approach to managing Council’s bottom line, with a focus on greater community involvement in delivering local initiatives.

Young people prioritised safe public spaces, better public transport, and youth programs.

Kinder-aged children highlighted the importance of outdoor play, parks, and social interactions.

Read the Community Engagement Report

February - March 2025

A panel of community members was established to give advice to Council on the Council Plan.

43 local people were randomly selected from a range of demographic groups to be part of the community panel.

A recommendations report was produced by the Panel following their 3 workshops in early 2025.

View the Panel Report

June 2025

The draft Council Plan 2025-29 was open for feedback until 10 August.

View the Engagement Report for this phase