Surf Coast Shire is between 75 and 125 kilometres south west of the Melbourne GPO, and between 12 and 60 kilometres south west of Geelong.
The Shire has grown rapidly, with Torquay/Jan Juc averaging around 5% annual increase in resident population. It is a popular tourist and surfing area with strong connections to Geelong. These service industries make a substantial contribution to the local economy, and the popular Great Ocean Road attracts many visitors.
Other important industries include agriculture, tourism, electricity supply, building construction.
Surf Coast is part of the Large Shire council grouping and can be compared with similar councils. More information on council groupings can be found here.
Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Bambra, Barrabool, Bellbrae, Bells Beach, Benwerrin, Big Hill, Birregurra, Boonah, Breamlea, Buckley, Connewarre, Deans Marsh, Eastern View, Fairhaven, Freshwater Creek, Gherang, Gnarwarre, Inverleigh, Jan Juc, Lorne, Modewarre, Moggs Creek, Moriac, Mount Duneed, Mount Moriac, Ombersley, Paraparap, Pennyroyal, Torquay, Wensleydale, Winchelsea, Winchelsea South and Wurdiboluc.
For a detailed map showing shire boundaries and locality names, visit VICNAMES.
Surf Coast Shire Council Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey Results
Surf Coast Shire Council is a subdivided municipality consisting of 4 wards and 9 Councillors.
Councillors are elected through proportional representation voting. Since 2008, all Victorian Councillors serve a four year term. The next general election is in October 2020.
The council's independent Electoral Representation Review was conducted prior to the 2012 elections.
Visit the Guide for more information on Council Elections.
Visit the Victorian Electoral Commission for more elections details.
9 Councillors elected in October 2016.
Anglesea - Cr Margot Smith
Anglesea - Cr Libby Coker
Lorne - Cr Clive Goldsworthy - Deputy Mayor
Torquay - Cr David Bell
Torquay - Cr Rose Hodge - Mayor
Torquay - Cr Brian McKiterick
Torquay - Cr Martin Duke
Winchelsea - Cr Carol McGregor
Winchelsea - Cr Heather Wellington
Estimated resident population. Source: Victoria in Future 2016 - Population and Household Projections to 2031
Source: Victoria Grants Commission.
The figures in the bottom two rows of the table show combined one-off and ongoing funding received by council from both the Federal and State Governments. It is important to note that this amount can change significantly from year to year as individual government funding programs change and natural events such as fires and floods occur.
Data shows the amount allocated in respect of the relevant financial year. In some years, that amount will vary from the payments received that year, as a result of the Commonwealth "bringing forward" some payments.
| 2016-17 | 2015-16 | 2014-15 | 2013-14 | 2012-13 | 2011-12 | 2010-11 | 2009-10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recurrent Expenditure ($) | 65.982m | 60.076m | 56.552m | 60.655m | 53.629m | 56.643m | 47.248m | 45.540m |
| Recurrent Revenue ($) | 74.346m | 67.225m | 65.742m | 60.426m | 58.653m | 60.362m | 54.354m | 48.768m |
| - Rates and Charges | 47.849m | 45.636m | 42.984m | 41.554m | 37.761m | 35.684m | 33.678m | 30.392m |
| - VGC Grants | 3.701m | 3.620m | 3.647m | 3.571m | 3.423m | 3.296m | 3.089m | 2.759m |
| Non-Recurrent Government Grants |
1.232m |
2.414m |
3.094m |
4.740m |
6.237m |
10.381m |
4.805m |
2.032m |
| Recurrent Government Grants |
11.926m |
7.637m |
4.002m |
2.456m |
1.833m |
1.898m |
4.977m |
2.476m |
View Surf Coast Shire's performance across a wide range of service areas
View Performance