Economic Development, Creative Places strategy achievements

Published on 27 August 2025

Completion of $1.5m refurbishment of Torquay’s Multi Arts Centre and delivery of Better Business Skills workshops are among highlights resulting from delivery of Surf Coast Shire Council’s Economic Development and Creative Places strategies.

A 2024-25 financial year progress report on the strategies, including the Australian National Surfing Museum Master Plan, also lists the national and international impact of major events and patronage at the shire’s Visitor Information Centres as significant achievements.

Council considered and noted the progress report at its August meeting at Winchelsea.

Highlights include:

Completion of the $1.5m Multi Arts Centre refurbishment, funded by Council and the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. Gallery and theatre places were enhanced, creating two distinct spaces, the building was upgraded to existing building code requirements and converted from gas to electric power.
Delivery of Better Business Skills workshops for local operators, addressing topics identified by business operators via Council’s business survey. A total of nine workshops were attended by 178 people.
The 10 biggest events in the shire attracted participants and spectators from across Australia and the world, delivering estimated millions in economic benefits for businesses across the shire.
Council Visitor Information Centre staff across the shire fielded 142,673 inquiries for the year and the centres topped $409,000 in retail sales.

Cr Tony Phelps: “This progress report highlights a significant year of achievement within these strategies and the ANSM master plan, with 34 projects noted as completed and many of them including multiple smaller projects.

“Together the strategies span an extraordinary diversity of topics and outcomes – from helping small businesses to navigate challenging times, to presenting world-class events and collections, to supporting our acclaimed creative sector.

“Each achievement within these strategies is an important step in supporting our economy and helping our community to thrive.”