Tim Harte

Tim has lived in the Surf Coast Shire since 2002 and is a resident of Gnarwarre. Tim joined the Surf Coast Shire Council Disability Advisory Committee in July 2022 and was first elected Chair in December 2022, becoming one of the youngest disability advisory committee Chairs in Australia.

Living with neurological, physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments, Tim brings lived experience and professional expertise to the role, drawing on extensive leadership across the disability sector. Tim serves as an Independent Director of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) and as a Member of the Victorian Disability Advisory Council (VDAC), appointed by the Victorian Minister for Disability. Through these roles, Tim provides high-level policy and governance advice on systemic disability issues, access, and inclusion at both state and national levels.

Tim was deeply involved in local environmental stewardship through voluntary work with the Geelong Landcare Network (Board Member 2021-2023) and Barrabool Hills Landcare Group (Executive Committee Member 2018-2023). Tim’s Landcare contributions supported biodiversity restoration and community connection across the region.

Tim combines local advocacy with national and global leadership in disability rights. In June 2025, Tim represented Australia at the United Nations Conference of State Parties (COSP18) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in New York, delivering a speech amplifying youth and disability voices on the global stage. Tim’s passion for equity, sustainability, and inclusion reflects a strong commitment to ensuring the Surf Coast remains accessible, connected, and welcoming for everyone.