Council
27 February, 2026
Progress continues for council
CORANGAMITE Shire Council continues on the front foot as councillors voted to receive the quarterly progress report for Corangamite Shire Council Plan 2025-2029 initiatives.
A total of 68 initiatives are identified in the plan, with 79.41 per cent (54) currently in progress – the same percentage as the first quarter.
However, progress has been made on the previous quarter with 13.24 per cent (nine) projects being marked as completed – an increase from the 8.83 per cent in the first quarter.
Additionally, the progress report showed a decrease of initiatives not yet commenced from 11.76 per cent to 7.35 per cent (five).
The council plan highlights 19 initiatives to complete over four years, with one already completed.
Another 17 projects are in progress, including developing an investment attraction prospectus for new and existing businesses which has been drafted for adoption in May and undertaking design development for the Camperdown Theatre Complex Transformation project, with the plan under development and an internal working group established.
Council has planned to initiate a pilot program for a repair café in March or April this year, the sole project initiative not yet started.
Under the policy, plan or strategy area, three of the 15 initiatives have been completed.
These include developing new destination action plans for 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland and Volcanic Lakes and Plains, which was adopted in October last year, and investigating proactive release of data initiatives in conjunction with the Transparency Policy Review, which was also adopted in October.
Eleven policies, plans or strategies are in progress, with one initiative yet to commence.
Ongoing initiatives include implementing short and medium-term actions from council’s Aboriginal Engagement and Participation Action Plan, which includes plans to regenerate the Wombeetch Puyuun Garden in Camperdown and reviewing council advocacy priorities having regard to the challenges and opportunities identified in the plan, which are reviewed and presented where relevant.
Service-based initiatives have also seen strong progress, with five of the 21 initiatives marked as completed in the second quarter.
These initiatives have seen Camperdown Library’s hours increased and playground improvements completed.
Thirteen initiatives remain in progress, including road rehabilitation works which are due to be completed by April this year and replacing the Lismore footbridge, with works planned to commence in early 2026.
Only three initiatives under the service focus area have yet to start, including identifying an alignment for a proposed Skipton-Camperdown Walking Trail and designing accessibility improvements for the Camperdown Civic Centre.
Councillor Jo Beard said the report was a great reflection of how the organisation is going at an operational level.
“It’s extremely positive and it’s a reflection the organisation is consistently remaining focused,” she said.
“When you look at the past few weeks alone with the multiple fires which we’ve had happening, you can see that consistency around business as usual is still being attended to.
“It’s pretty formidable, and we often say that this is one of the best things about Corangamite Shire and the organisation is the staff just get in there and do things.
“A lot of this can also come down to, particularly with works and services and outside projects, the weather, and we’ve probably had a good season with roadmaking.
“It also helps when we’re getting achievements like that, but you can’t discount the fact that, as an organisation, we do get stuff done.”
As advocacy remains an ongoing priority for council, the 13 initiatives listed remain in progress.
Advocacy focus areas include a greater police presence across the Corangamite Shire and advocating for funding for redevelopment of the Skipton Recreation Reserve.
Councillor Jamie Vogels seconded the motion to note the report.
“I’m more than pleased with what’s in the report, and I think it just demonstrates that we’ve got responsible oversight, transparency and a steady implementation of our things going forward,” he said.
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