As one of the fastest growing regional municipalities in Victoria, Surf Coast Shire is experiencing significant growth and change. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the dramatic coastal scenery and superb lifestyle.
The Shire is located in southwest Victoria, 20 minutes from Geelong and 90 minutes from Melbourne. It has an area of 1556 square kilometres with some 55 kilometres of coastline and the start of the fabulous Great Ocean Road defining its southern boundary.
Physical
The Surf Coast Shire is characterised by a diverse range of environments including rugged coastline, dense native forests and rolling, rural plains. These features have contributed to creating distinctive communities with quite different expectations about how their areas should develop.
Along the coastline a line of settlements hug the Great Ocean Road - including Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven and Lorne. Except for Torquay, these towns are sited on the coastal edge of the Otway Ranges and are surrounded by substantial tracts of forested public land. North of the Otways is a distinctive rural community including the townships of Winchelsea, Deans Marsh and Moriac. This area is traversed by the Princes Highway and the main Melbourne to Warrnambool railway line.
Located at the eastern end of the Shire, Torquay is the largest town and the main administrative centre. The strong association with the surfing industry together with proximity to Geelong and Melbourne make Torquay an increasingly attractive proposition to combine lifestyle and working commitments.
Population
Surf Coast Shire is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Victoria. For the 20 years from 1986 to 2006 the permanent population of the Surf Coast Shire grew from 13,456 to 24,124 - an increase of 10,668 people or 79.28%! Nearly half of our property owners do not live here permanently. Many are metropolitan residents with a second home on the Surf Coast. They live here part time, holiday here or own the property as an investment, perhaps with a view to retirement on the coast.
Holidaymakers in the coastal towns from Torquay to Lorne swell our peak overnight populations to over 68,000 (2006). Substantial numbers of day visitors and over 2 million travellers along the Great Ocean Road each year add a further dimension.
Vision and Values
Vision
The Surf Coast Shire will be a vibrant, connected and healthy community, valued for its unique blend of natural environment, opportunity and quality of life.
Values
We value:
- Accountability, honesty and transparency
- Partnerships, teamwork and listening
- Innovation, continuous improvement and service excellence
- Community engagement and respect for diversity
Conditions of Employment
The conditions of employment are determined by:
- Relevant Industrial Award for the classification;
- The Surf Coast Shire Council Enterprise Bargaining Certified Agreement; and
- The Victorian Local Government Award 2001
Superannuation
All new employees become members of Local Authorities Super Scheme "Vision Super" (formerly LASPLAN) which is an Accumulation Plan funded in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee legislation. Council will make the necessary employer contribution required under the legislation (currently 9% of the ordinary salary). Employee contributions are optional.
Existing local government employees can continue to participate in the Defined Benefits Scheme.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Surf Coast Shire Council is an Equal Opportunity employer.
Contact Details:
Offices: 25 Grossmans Road, Torquay
Phone: (03) 5261 0600 | 1300 610 600
Fax: (03) 5261 4527
Postal: PO Box 350, Torquay, 3228
Email: info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
Web: www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au
