Bass Coast Council’s annual report highlights the good and the bad

Bass Coast residents’ satisfaction with the local council has declined, despite a record breaking year delivering projects.

Bass Coast Shire Council has delivered a record breaking capital works program in the 2021/22 year, despite rising debt and decreasing community satisfaction.

The council has released its 202122 annual report, which boasts some impressive highlights but also exposed some areas for improvement.

The annual report provides data and analysis on the council’s performance over the past year.

The council met on Wednesday morning to discuss this year’s report where Mayor Michael Whelan said it was taking a considered approach to sustainable development, ensuring the appropriate services are available to the area’s growing communities.

“This has been a year of significant achievement for council,” he said.

“I look forward to leading council as we build on those achievements.”

Cr Rochelle Halstead said she wanted to congratulate industry and local business for their show of “resilience” the past year, bouncing back from Covid.

“It has been a year of big dreams that have come to fruition,” she said.

But community satisfaction with council decisions has fallen, and Cr Halstead said council should “take that seriously”.

Cr Les Larke was also concerned about the council’s financial position. The report showed the council’s debt increased by $1.7m.

“Management of the council’s finances is less than optimal and requires an urgent and significant overhaul,” he said.

The report showed the council has had a record breaking year in the deliverance of the capital works program, delivering 118 projects valued at $34m.

Some of the projects included the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre, works to renew and upgrade a number of marine assets, construction of the Cowes East Foreshore rock revetment wall and beach access and delivery of multiple recreational projects and significant lighting improvements in Cowes, Inverloch and Dalyston.

Bass Coast was also recognised in the report for its state-leading work towards gender equality and inclusion.

The council also lead the state yet again in recycling and diverting rubbish away from landfill.

The Bass Coast News will be running a series of articles examining the report in more detail, be sure to stay up to date on our coverage.