Council
5 November, 2025
Council reflects on busy year
CORANGAMITE Shire councillors looked back on the year last week as they noted the annual report for the 2024-2025 financial year.
The report marks the final year under the Council Plan 2021-2025, with a total of 52 actions completed out of the 60 set out in the annual action plan.
A further five actions are in progress, while three were deferred or unfunded.
Mayor councillor Kate Makin said the achievement was a “remarkable result” given the current challenges being faced by council and the community.
“It provides an important opportunity to pause, reflect and recognise what we’ve achieved together – as councillors, as staff and as a community – before we move on to our new Council Plan 2025-2029,” she said.
“This past year has been one of significant delivery and progress for our shire.
“We’ve delivered more than $27 million in capital works, including $6 million in local roads renewal and many footpaths and safety improvements across Cobden, Timboon and Camperdown.
“We also saw important upgrades to the Camperdown and Cobden Stadiums, the Timboon Sporting Centre and the Timboon Transfer Station.”
The report identified over $190,000 in grants provided to more than 100 community groups and clubs across the shire – highlighting a strong uptake in council’s grants programs.
Cr Makin said council has also made measurable progress in sustainability.
“On the sustainability front, we expanded our waste diversion efforts, achieving a 56 per cent diversion rate from landfill, composting more than 14,000 tonnes of FOGO material and also launching a Binfo app – making it easier for residents to know which night which bin goes out, which I think has been a huge success,” she said.
“We also set clear directions for the future through our Climate Change Action Plan 2025-2029, and the Grow Corangamite Sustaining Our Agriculture Future Strategy both critical in shaping the next decade in resilience and growth.
“Beyond infrastructure, this year was all about celebrating our people and our partnerships.
“The relaunch of the Corangamite Business Awards recognised excellence and innovation across our shire, and programs like the Youth Leadership Summit continue to empower our young people – making sure their voices were heard very loud and very clear.”
Council reported an operating surplus of $2.46 million, which is below the predicted surplus of $3.86 million due to supply constraints and rising costs.
Cr Makin said the achievements can be recognised, but a number of challenges are expected to persist.
“Across the shire, we face severe drought conditions affecting farms and families,” she said.
“We grappled with childcare shortages and housing pressures that impact workforce attraction and community growth.
“We continue to balance competing land uses, working to protect the agriculture land that underpins our economy.
“We’ve felt the effects of cost shifting from higher levels of government, and the burden of rising infrastructure costs that exceeds what can be managed under rate capping.
“We’ve continued to advocate for stronger engagement transparency around energy developments in our region – these challenges reinforce why strong united local advocacy is vital and we continue to have direct conversations with state and federal representatives to ensure that Corangamite’s voice is heard loud and very clear at every level of decision-making.”
Councillor Jamie Vogels moved to note the report, saying the report was more than just a statutory requirement for council.
“It’s a transparent account of what we’ve delivered, where we’ve stretched and what we’ve learned,” he said.
“This report shows our councillors turned strategy into action across roads, recreation, grounds and community connection.
“This annual report reflects a council that’s responsive, resilient and ready to build on what’s been achieved.
“It’s a public record of our commitment to community and a springboard for the next chapter.”
Cr Makin extended her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the achievements of council over the 2024-2025 financial year.
“I am incredibly proud of what the report represents – the professionalism and commitment of our staff and the resilience and generosity of our communities, from our volunteers and our farmers to our business owners, young leaders and families,” she said.
“Together, you continue to make Corangamite a vibrant, caring and a future-focused place to live.”
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