Introduction
Bass Coast Shire Council is the local government authority responsible for community services, infrastructure, environmental management, economic development and municipal governance across the Bass Coast region of Victoria, Australia.
History and Background
Bass Coast Shire is located in south-eastern Victoria and encompasses coastal communities, rural areas, townships and major visitor destinations, including Phillip Island, Wonthaggi, Cowes, Inverloch, San Remo and surrounding localities.
The region’s natural environment, coastline, agricultural activity and tourism economy strongly influence the Council’s planning and service-delivery priorities. Its responsibilities include managing population growth and visitor demand while protecting the environmental and cultural characteristics valued by local communities.
The Council acknowledges the Bunurong people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and waters and works toward stronger recognition, reconciliation and respectful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Mission and Purpose
Bass Coast Shire Council works to implement the Community Vision 2045, which reflects the long-term aspirations of people who live, work, visit or have a connection with the region.
The Council Plan 2025–2029 organizes its work around four strategic objectives: Naturally Beautiful, Thriving Places, Vibrant Communities and Visionary Leadership.
These objectives address environmental protection and climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure and economic development, healthy and inclusive communities, and transparent and responsible local government leadership.
The Council’s wider purpose is to provide services and facilities that protect public wellbeing, strengthen communities, support local businesses and preserve Bass Coast’s distinctive natural environment.
Governance and Structure
Bass Coast Shire Council operates under Victoria’s Local Government Act 2020. Its elected body makes strategic, policy and financial decisions on behalf of local communities.
The municipality is divided into three wards: Bunurong Ward, Island Ward and Western Port Ward. Each ward is represented by three councillors, creating a nine-member elected Council.
As of September 2026, Councillor Brett Tessari serves as Mayor and Councillor Ron Bauer serves as Deputy Mayor. The elected Council is supported by a Chief Executive Officer, an executive leadership team and municipal employees responsible for implementing Council decisions and delivering public services.
Council decisions are made through formal meetings governed by published governance rules. Agendas, minutes, policies, budgets, strategic plans and performance reports are available through the Council’s website.
Funding and Grants
Bass Coast Shire Council finances its operations through municipal rates, service charges, fees, government grants, developer contributions and other public revenue.
Its Long-Term Financial Plan provides a ten-year framework for funding Council Plan priorities, maintaining services, renewing assets and delivering major infrastructure projects. The Asset Plan guides the management of roads, drainage, buildings, open spaces, footpaths and other community infrastructure.
Under the draft 2026–2027 budget, rates represented approximately 74% of Council revenue, while government grants represented around 14%.
The Council also distributes funding to nonprofit organizations, community groups and local initiatives through Community Grants, Quick Response Grants, Climate Action Grants and other targeted support programs.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Community Grants Program
The Community Grants Program supports nonprofit groups and organizations based in Bass Coast that deliver projects benefiting local communities.
Its total funding pool is AUD 294,000. Standard Community Grants provide between AUD 2,001 and AUD 5,000, while selected major projects may receive up to AUD 10,000. Funding rounds are generally offered twice each year.
Projects may support community participation, wellbeing, social inclusion, arts, culture, recreation, volunteering, local development and other priorities aligned with Council strategies.
Quick Response Grants
Quick Response Grants provide up to AUD 2,000 for smaller projects or time-sensitive community needs.
The funding stream generally opens monthly, except during June, and may close early when the available allocation has been fully distributed.
Climate Action Grants
Climate Action Grants support community-led projects that respond to climate change, reduce emissions, improve environmental sustainability or strengthen local resilience.
The Council has allocated an additional AUD 40,000 for these grants, divided across two annual funding rounds. Eligible projects may request between AUD 1,000 and AUD 5,000.
Environmental Protection and Climate Resilience
Council programs protect coastal environments, native vegetation, biodiversity and environmentally significant areas. Its work also covers waste management, landfill rehabilitation, renewable energy, urban greening and climate adaptation.
During 2024–2025, the Council planted approximately 1,800 street trees and maintained them through a dedicated watering and establishment program. Its Council Plan targets continued tree planting and cooperation with partners to establish native plants across rural landscapes.
The Council has also committed to using renewable electricity and increasing the proportion of kerbside waste diverted from landfill.
Infrastructure and Asset Management
Bass Coast Shire Council manages infrastructure assets valued at more than AUD 1.47 billion, including roads, drainage systems, community buildings, public spaces and pathways.
Infrastructure priorities include road and footpath improvements, recreational facilities, coastal protection, streetscape upgrades, landfill rehabilitation and community-building maintenance.
The Asset Plan 2025–2035 and Long-Term Financial Plan 2025–2035 guide maintenance, renewal and new investment while considering affordability, risk and future community needs.
Health, Safety and Inclusion
The Healthy, Safe and Resilient Bass Coast Plan 2025–2029 guides the Council’s work to improve community health, wellbeing and equity.
Related activities support young people, older residents, people with disabilities, families, community safety, mental wellbeing, social connection, recreation and fair access to facilities.
The Council’s Fair Access Policy promotes greater participation by women, girls and gender-diverse people in community sport and recreation. Community grants may support clubs offering inclusive sporting activities and participation opportunities.
Economic Development and Tourism
The Council supports local businesses through planning assistance, permits, town-centre improvements, tourism development and its Business Concierge Program.
Its economic-development approach recognizes the close relationship between Bass Coast’s environment, tourism, agriculture and local employment. Council planning therefore seeks to encourage economic resilience while protecting the characteristics that attract residents and visitors.
Arts, Culture and Community Facilities
Bass Coast Shire Council supports public art, cultural activities, libraries, community venues, recreation reserves and local events.
Berninneit, the cultural and community centre in Cowes, is a prominent example of Council investment. The facility includes a library, customer-service facilities, community spaces and cultural infrastructure intended to serve current and future generations.
Community Engagement
The Engage Bass Coast platform enables residents and stakeholders to comment on policies, infrastructure projects, strategic plans and proposed developments.
Development of the Community Vision 2045 and Council Plan 2025–2029 involved more than 15 months of engagement with thousands of participants. Consultation included surveys, workshops, focus groups, public events and a representative 45-member Community Panel.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community Grants Program supports local organizations delivering projects in social inclusion, environmental action, recreation, community wellbeing, arts and volunteering.
Grant funding allows smaller nonprofit organizations and volunteer-led groups to purchase resources, organize activities, improve community facilities and respond to emerging local needs.
During 2023–2024, the Council delivered 154 capital projects with a combined value of approximately AUD 38.14 million. Projects included road renewals, footpaths, culvert replacement, playgrounds, public toilets and community infrastructure.
The Council Plan 2025–2029 also establishes measurable targets relating to renewable electricity, waste diversion, tree planting, road satisfaction, recreation participation, capital-project delivery and business support. Performance is reported through quarterly updates and annual reports.
Conclusion
Bass Coast Shire Council combines local governance, community grants, infrastructure investment, environmental stewardship and public services to support a growing and geographically diverse Victorian municipality. Its current strategy emphasizes natural-environment protection, resilient communities, sustainable development, effective infrastructure and transparent leadership.
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