Media Releases

Whats New

Date Title
May 
15 May

Anglesea Riverbank Upgrades On Track
Surf Coast Shire will shortly start constructing a walking track, fishing platform with a canoe launching area along the west bank of the Anglesea River, near the Visitor Information Centre. Read more

15 May

Council To Host Candidate Information Session
In the lead-up to this October’s Council election, Surf Coast Shire will host a Community and Candidate Information Session to be conducted by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). Read more

 10 May

Continued Consolidation Brings Good News
Surf Coast Shire’s draft 2012/13 budget provides boosts to community infrastructure throughout the shire, preserves Council’s strong financial position and caps rate increases below long-term projections. Read more.

10 May

New Infrastructure Wave For Surf Coast
Surf Coast Shire has earmarked a $19.85m capital works program for 2012/13 with significant projects throughout the municipality. Read more.

April

26 April

Commercial Use of Bells To Be Regulated
Surf Coast Shire will shortly start regulating commercial tour operators using Bells Beach Surfing Reserve through a licensing scheme. Read more.

23 April

Turf Replaced At Jan Juc Creek Reserve
Surf Coast Shire has confirmed the RACV is finalising rehabilitation works it has committed to at the Jan Juc Creek Reserve. Read more.

12 April

CEO To Move On
Surf Coast Shire’s CEO, Mark Davies, has resigned from Council after almost 4 years in the top job. Read more.

5 April

Carbon Tax to have Small Impact
Surf Coast Shire Chief Executive Officer, Mark Davies, made the following comments on the likely impact of the new carbon tax on council operations. Read more.

March
31 March Governor at Barwon Park
The Victorian Governor, the Honorable Alex Chernov, and Mrs Chernov visited Barwon Park in Winchelsea recently during a tour of Surf Coast Shire. Read more.
28 March

Planning For A New Surf City
Surf Coast Shire has sought funding from the Victorian Government to help plan a rejuvenated Surf City precinct in Torquay that will function as a regional tourism, surfing and cultural hub. Read more.

19 March Anglesea Skate Park To Be Re-opened
Surf Coast Shire will re-open the Anglesea Skate Park in coming days after a clean-up of asbestos sheeting fragments found on the site was recently completed. Read more.
15 March

Jan Juc Creek Clean-up Continues
Surf Coast Shire has received an RACV-commissioned analysis of fill dumped at the Jan Juc Creek Reserve which confirms the fill contains no released asbestos fibres. Read more.

9 March

Progress On Parking At Bells
Surf Coast Shire will work with the State Government and Minister for Environment to removing buses from the car parks at Bells Beach. Read more.

8 March

Vital Sewer Works Complete At Bells
In a major milestone in the ongoing protection of Bells Beach, Surf Coast Shire has completed a private sewer main that will service toilets in the reserve. Read more

6 March

Getting Aireys Recreation Moving
Surf Coast Shire Council has confirmed the renewal of the Aireys Inlet Skate Park and playground as the major recreation infrastructure priority in the town. Read more.

3 March

Anglesea Skate Park Closed
Surf Coast Shire has closed the Anglesea Skate Park after a number of small pieces of asbestos were found on the site. Read more

February

28 February

Anglesea Bike Park Reaches New Heights
The Anglesea Bike Park has been upgraded with rebuilt dirt jumps and other facility improvements.
Read more

27 February

Winchelsea’s Big Lift
Winchelsea is hitting 2012 full of running with the $2.5m Eastern Reserve Community Hub building breathing more life into the community. Read more

27 February

Louttit Live Set to Rock Lorne
Some of the Surf Coast’s best DJs will be bringing their beats to the Lorne Swimming Pool on Friday 2 March for Louttit Live. Read more

 23 February

Council Supports Lorne Fire Siren Trial
Surf Coast Shire has supported a four-week trail of a community fire siren in Lorne. The trial will be fully funded, resourced and managed by the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner (OESC) which is now conducting similar trials in Olinda and Steels Creek. Read more.

22 February

Jan Juc Creek Reserve Fenced Off
Surf Coast Shire has fenced off a section of the Jan Juc Creek reserve between Hoylake Avenue and Duffields Road after asbestos was detected in a sample taken from the surface of the recently topsoiled area. Read more.

20 February

Financial Strength Brings Results
Surf Coast Shire has confirmed that it remains in a strong financial position after completing work on the first stage of the Community and Civic Precinct on time and on budget. Read more.

 14 February

Amped Netball Hits the Surf Coast
Join the wave of fast-paced netball excitement at the Surf Coast Sport and Recreation Centre; with Fast Net – a new netball competition for 15-18 year olds. Read more.

 13 February

Stories From Cactus – Now On Show
This month, Surf World Museum will shine a light on Cactus – one of Australian surfing’s most remote and storied secrets; and you’re invited to join in. Read more.

 10 February

Funky Beats By the Winch Pool
Funky beats and pool-side fun comes to Winchelsea on Sunday 19 February with a youth pool party hosted by the Winchelsea Skatepark Improvement Committee (WinchSIC) and Surf Coast Shire Youth Development. Read more.

 10 February

Has Your Pet Got the Chip?
Surf Coast Shire will be running a cut-price pet microchipping day in Torquay and Winchelsea.On Saturday 24 March, dog and cat owners will be able to get their pets microchipped at the reduced rate of $30. Read more.

 3 February

Important Creek and Reserve Master Plans On Exhibition
Surf Coast Shire is seeking community feedback on four important documents that plan the future of public open space and recreation facilities around Jan Juc, Jan Juc Creek and Spring Creek. Read more.

 1 February

Get To Know Your New Precinct
See what the new Surf Coast Community and Civic Precinct has to offer at its open day on Saturday 4 February, from 10am. Read more.

January
30 January

Pipeline Emerges…On Land
A Pipeline of a different sort has emerged on the Surf Coast Community and Civic Precinct. The sculpture, placed on the Surf Coast Highway frontage of Banyul-Warri Fields, was produced by local artists Jan and Geo Francis of Moongate Studios to reflect the unique environment of the Surf Coast and its hinterland. Read more.

26 January

Citizens of the Year Put in Twice the Effort
Anglesea residents Annette and Bob Dwyer have been named the joint Surf Coast Shire Citizens of the Year at this year’s Australia Day ceremony in Anglesea. Read more.

26 January

Cup Tour Takes Event Gong
A community celebration that brought two of Australia’s biggest cups to Anglesea has been named Surf Coast Shire’s Community Event of the Year at this year’s Australia Day celebration in Anglesea. Read more.

26 January

Young Citizen’s Important Contribution
Torquay resident Steven Russell has been named the Surf Coast’s Young Citizen of the Year at the 2012 Australia Day ceremony in Torquay. Read more.

December
22 December

Fire Danger Period Declared
The official Fire Danger Period in Surf Coast Shire will begin at 1am on Boxing Day, Monday 26 December. Read more.

15 December

Feedback Sought On Aireys Parking Upgrades
Surf Coast Shire is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the layout and design of the Aireys Inlet Reserve and Skate Park car park. Read more.

14 December

The Surf Coast’s Biggest Infrastructure Boost Unveiled!
Surf Coast Shire has officially opened the Grant Pavilion and Civic Building at Banyul-Warri Fields; the new Surf Coast Community and Civic Precinct in Torquay North. Read more.

14 December

Neighbourhood Safer Places Confirmed For Fire Season
Surf Coast Shire has named new Neighbourhood Safer Places in Moriac and Winchelsea in the lead-up to the fire danger period. Read more.

12 December

Council and Community Recognised For Fire Preparation
Surf Coast Shire and the local community have been recognised in the 25th Victorian annual Fire Awareness Awards for the innovative Weeds To Mulch program. Red more.

9 December

The Cream Of World Surfing Cinema Hits Torquay
Surf World Museum in Torquay will present a four day international surf film festival from Tuesday 3 January to Friday 6 January 2012 featuring a range of exciting surf films from Australia and around the world. Read more.

8 December

Cr Brian McKiterick Elected Surf Coast Mayor
Cr Brian McKiterick has been elected as Surf Coast Shire Mayor unanimously at last night’s statutory Council meeting. Read more.

November
29 November Council Set For Fast Move
Surf Coast Shire will close for business at 3pm on Friday 2 December at its Grossmans Road Office, before re-opening in its new offices for business at 11am on Monday 5 December. Read more.
24 November

Winchelsea Community Garden To Open
The new Winchelsea Community Garden will be throwing open its gates to start December with special guest landscape designer, renowned gardening guru and author Kevin Walsh on hand to give an address on companion planting for pest prevention. Read more.

23 November Supreme Court Confirms VCAT Error
Surf Coast Shire has welcomed a Supreme Court decision to set aside a VCAT decision on the Jan Juc Footpath Special Charge Scheme; which has prevented a legal precedent being set that would affect all Victorian councils. Read more.
17 November

Dogs Don’t Swing…
Thinking of letting Fido loose in a playground?  Think again.
To preserve the safety of children and animals, dogs are prohibited from playgrounds on the Surf Coast and must remain more than 10m from all equipment. Read more.

11 November Timeshare Dog Restrictions To Come Into Effect
With summer approaching, dog regulations on a number of popular Surf Coast beaches are set to change on Thursday 1 December. Read more.
 October
31 October

More Progress on Fire Preparation
Surf Coast Shire has placed a draft Municipal Fire Management Plan on public exhibition. The plan will guide all agencies across the Surf Coast including Council and co-ordinate fire prevention and management activities. Read more.

31 October

Tourism, Economic Development Strategy to Make Waves
Increasing local employment, strengthening local industries and ensuring local economic development promotes environmental sustainability are the focuses of the draft Surf Coast Economic Development and Tourism Strategy that Council has placed on public exhibition. Read more.

28 October

Bells Stories To Ring In Geelong Libraries
The stories of Bells Beach will spread across the region after Surf Coast Shire donated 20 copies of Michael Gordon’s brilliant book Bells: The Beach, The Surfers, The Contest to libraries throughout the Geelong region. Read more.

27 October

Children’s Play Day A Big Hit
More than 500 local children and parents turned out to the first Surf Coast Children’s Fun Sun Play Day. Run as part of Children’s Week celebrations on the Surf Coast and organised by Council’s Early Years Services, the event made the most of great weather at the Torquay Foreshore Playground; with the involvement of local community groups and performers a stand-out. Read more.

25 October

Irresponsible Pet Owners Cause Stink On Coast
Unwanted presents left on beaches and paths and not picked up by pet owners are continuing to cause a stink on the Surf Coast. The message for pet owners this summer will be simple: If they drop it, you cop it. read more.

24 October

Art on Show at Torquay Central!
Torquay Central is again hosting an exhibition of Surf Coast Calendar Art Competition entries – and you are invited in for a sneak peak! read more.

13 October

Grasstree Thieves: Environmental Vandals
The Surf Coast's famed Grasstrees are under attack from thieves; putting the ecology of local nature reserves at risk. read more.

11 October

Concrete Audio: The Biggest Day Out the Surf Coast Has Seen!
The Vasco Era. Mantra. Your short films and a new street art mural art on show. A top BMX and skating comp. It's all part of Concrete Audio - the biggest day out the Surf Coast has seen. read more.

 3 October

Anglesea Rivermouth To Be Opened
Surf Coast Shire has received consent from DSE and Corangamite Catchment Management Authority to open the Anglesea River mouth just before high tide this afternoon. read more.

September
30 September Torquay North Development Plans Achieve Balance
Surf Coast Shire has approved the first two residential development plans for Torquay North with a lot density slightly below the figure earmarked in previous planning policy. read more.
30 September

Rabbit Control: It Starts At The Warren
With winter and spring rain speeding growth of green vegetation, Surf Coast Shire is urging land owners to check for and destroy any rabbit warrens on their properties. read more.

23 September

Important Dates For Local Artists!
Local artists have less than six weeks to create their masterpieces for Surf Coast Shire’s 2012 Calendar Competition.read more.

22 September

Vital Sewer Works Start At Bells
Surf Coast Shire has started work on a private sewer main that will connect toilets at Bells Beach to the sewer system.read more.

19 September

Whites Beach Playground Opens
Surf Coast Shire has opened a new and exciting $100,000 playground on
the foreshore reserve at Whites Beach to the community this week. read more.

15 September

Staff Among Many Hitting Pedals For Amy’s Gran Fondo
Among the 3,000 cyclists participating in Amy’s Gran Fondo this week will be a team of Surf Coast Shire staff.read more.

9 September

Time To Act On Dog Registrations
Surf Coast Shire is urging owners of American Pit Bulls, pitbull crosses and other restricted breed dogs to ensure their animals are registered with Council before September 30 after recent changes to Victorian legislation.read more.

August

26 August

More community facilities planned for new precinct
The second stage of the new Surf Coast Community and Civic Precinct will deliver more essential community facilities following Wednesday night's Council decision to endorse a revised masterplan for the 20-hectare site. read more.

26 August

Council accepts offer for 25 Grossmans Road
Council voted on Wednesday night to accept Torquay Christian Fellowship's offer to purchase some of the land and associated assets. read more

25 August

A festival logo to awaken the senses
The High Tide Arts Festival Committee this week announced Bellbrae artist David Rossiter as the winner of the 2011 logo design competition. read more.

24 August

Walking the dog now even easier
Finding suitable spots across the Surf Coast to walk the pooch is now much easier thanks to a new Council brochure released this week. read more.

18 August

Community's views on rubbish not wasted
Christmas came early for 50 lucky Surf Coast residents this week who each received a free compost bin just for taking part in a recent community survey. read more

18 August

Aboriginal Heritage Highlighted in Precinct Roads
The Surf Coast's Aboriginal heritage features in the naming of the first two access roads to the Surf Coast Community and Civic Precinct. read more

12 August

Community Grants: Find Out More
Surf Coast Shire will be running community grant information sessions to help community groups in their applications for the second round of 2011’s Community Grants. read more

5 August

Council Plans 30% Cut On Greenhouse Emissions
Surf Coast Shire has set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent of 2010 levels by 2020. read more

2 August

Uprising To Hit Anglesea
An uprising of local music will rock the Anglesea Memorial Hall on Friday 5 August with five top local acts playing an all-ages show.read more

For archived media releases, please contact the communications department on 03 5261 0600.