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Bass Coast Council adopts 10-year Financial and Asset Plans to guide $1.47B in infrastructure management

Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its 2025 - 35 Financial and Asset Plans to guide infrastructure investment, manage $1.47 billion in assets, and deliver community priorities identified through consultation.

By news@gippsland - 15th October 2025 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its new Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-35 and Asset Plan 2025-35 to guide the next 10 years of council's finances and infrastructure. The Financial Plan contains an ambitious capital works program with details of the major capital projects provided which include the Former Wonthaggi Secondary College site, Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre (Wonthaggi), Phillip Island Sporting Precinct and Cowes Foreshore Precinct (Cowes Streetscapes).

The Plans outline $1.47 billion in assets, major capital projects, and council's commitment to responsibly managing infrastructure to meet community priorities and long-term goals

Managing community assets

The new Asset Plan, alongside the Long-Term Financial Plan, talks about how council will responsibly manage over $1.47 billion worth of infrastructure assets including buildings, pathways, stormwater drainage, roads, parks and structures like bridges and playgrounds.

The Asset Plan outlines the value, the costs and the risks of managing council's infrastructure assets and how council is continually improving the way these assets are managed to achieve the Council Plan objectives and the Community Vision.

The Long-Term Financial Plan and the Asset Plan have both been developed reflecting our communities' priorities which were identified through extensive community consultation completed in July and August 2024 and the deliberative engagement undertaken by the Community Panel earlier this year.

Balancing community priorities

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead explained that council had considered the diverse feedback from across our community as part of the final Plans. "We heard a broad range of feedback from the community during our consultation."

"It's great to hear what is important to our communities and where they think we should be directing our funding and resourcing. Financial sustainability is a key objective for council and as always, it's a balancing act as we have limited funds and our communities' needs are growing," Cr Halstead said.

"We are striving toward balancing sustainable funding for a growing asset base and service levels with a plan that addresses the needs of a growing community," Cr Halstead concluded. To read council's new Long-Term Financial Plan and Asset Plan visit our Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Latrobe City invites community input to shape the 2026/27 budget and future priorities, submit feedback by 17 November 2025
  Latrobe City Council is seeking community input to help shape the 2026/27 Budget. Share your priorities via council's Have Your Say platform by 5pm, Monday 17 November 2025.
• East Gippsland opens nominations for 2026 Australia Day Awards recognising outstanding community contributions and achievements
  East Gippsland Shire Council invites nominations for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, recognising individuals, groups, and events for outstanding community contributions in volunteering, sport, arts, environment, and service.
• McIntosh Drive and Lake Guthridge footpath closed to protect Grey-headed Flying Foxes during extreme heat events
  Wellington Shire Council will close McIntosh Drive and Lake Guthridge footpath to protect Grey-headed Flying Foxes during extreme heat, reducing stress, ensuring safety, and allowing wildlife carers to assist vulnerable bats.
• Latrobe City invites photographers and videographers to capture the region’s beauty in the ‘Latrobe Through Your Lens’ until 15 December 2025
  Latrobe City Council invites photographers and videographers to enter the eight-week Latrobe Through Your Lens competition, celebrating local people, places, and culture, with prizes including gift cards and getaway experiences.
• Have your say on the 2027 transition to Pre-Prep and help shape early learning in South Gippsland
  South Gippsland Shire Council is seeking feedback from parents and carers to help shape how the Victorian government's 2027 Pre-Prep program is delivered locally to meet community needs.
• East Bairnsdale drain transformed into natural wetland enhancing biodiversity, stormwater management, and facilities near Jones Bay
  A neglected East Bairnsdale drain has been transformed into a natural wetland near Jones Bay, enhancing stormwater management, biodiversity, flood mitigation, and community amenity through a $1.43 million collaborative project.
• Latrobe unites to tackle gambling harm during awareness week: 'Set Before You Bet' 2025
  Latrobe City Council is urging residents to take part in Gambling Harm Awareness Week (27 Oct - 2 Nov) and "Set before you bet" by learning to recognise signs and reduce gambling harm.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• Berninneit Art Gallery unveils 'Kelp and the Sentient Sea' by Kim McDonald and Jasmine Susic 13 September to 26 October 2025
  Berninneit Art Gallery presents Kelp and the Sentient Sea, a collaborative exhibition by Kim McDonald and Jasmine Susic, exploring Bass Coast's marine life through printmaking, dance, film, and installation from 13 September.
• Dr Patrick Kinsella’s decades-long contributions to healthcare, sport, media, and community celebrated at 2026 Australia Day Awards
  Dr Patrick Kinsella, East Gippsland Australia Day Ambassador, has impacted healthcare, education, sport, media, and community life for over 40 years; residents are invited to celebrate at 21 January awards.
• East Gippsland Shire Mayor, Cr Jodie Ashworth's Christmas message
  A Christmas message celebrating East Gippsland’s community spirit, kindness and connection, encouraging care for one another, support for local businesses, warm hospitality for visitors, gratitude for workers this season together.
• Nature positive farming field day, sustainable practices, carbon insights, and soil management at Malabar farm
  Join Jenny and Paul O'Sullivan at Malabar Farm on 20 November 2025 for a free Nature Positive Farming field day, exploring sustainable practices, greenhouse gas estimation, soil carbon, and carbon farming benefits.
• East Gippsland Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomes new members to strengthen engagement with farming
  East Gippsland's Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomed new members, enhancing council's connection with farming communities while tackling key priorities like renewable energy, drought resilience, mental health, and pest animal challenges.