What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Bass Coast's direction is set by the Community Vision 2045 and the Council Plan 2025–2029, with the Long Term Financial Plan 2025–2035 behind the budget. The council adopted the 2026–27 budget, Annual Action Plan, Revenue and Rating Plan and fees and charges on 17 June 2026.
The Council Plan 2025–2029 has four strategic objectives: Naturally Beautiful (protect and enhance the natural environment and build resilience); Thriving Places (facilities and infrastructure that meet current and future needs, well-planned growth, a resilient economy); Vibrant Communities (healthy, inclusive, safe and connected communities); and Visionary Leadership (open and responsible decision-making).
The 2026–27 budget totals $123.7 million, including a $29.5 million capital works program. Highlights listed by the council include $17.7 million for roads, drainage and maintenance, $13.5 million for community facilities (including $3.6 million for the Cowes Streetscape), $12.1 million for leisure and recreation (including $1.9 million for the Thompson Reserve pavilion in Inverloch), $22.2 million for waste services and facilities, and $2.2 million for tracks, trails and footpaths.
Underway now
Cowes Streetscape
$3.6 million in the 2026–27 budgetDelivery of the Cowes Streetscape Master Plan, funded by external grants according to the draft budget report. The 2026–27 budget also lists finishing stage 1 of the Cowes Foreshore Precinct works as a major initiative.
Waste Service Charge review
Consultation Sep–Oct 2026; any change from the 2027–28 budgetThe council proposes splitting the waste charge into a kerbside collection charge and a municipal waste charge paid by all rateable properties. It says the total collected would not change, but the cost would be shared among about 34,000 properties instead of 30,000.
Planned / committed
Former Wonthaggi Secondary College site
Land use and business case work from 2026–27The site, managed by the Victorian Department of Education, has been vacant since 2019. In May 2026 the council welcomed a $632,000 Australian Government grant for planning the site's future, and it has consulted the community on possible uses. The 2026–27 budget includes $300,000 to begin a land use framework, partnership framework and business case.
Source: Bass Coast Shire Council — Funding boost for key Wonthaggi site (7 May 2026)
Thompson Reserve pavilion, Inverloch
$1.9 million in the 2026–27 budgetA pavilion upgrade at Thompson Reserve. The $12.1 million leisure and recreation budget for 2026–27 also includes a Wonthaggi sporting field upgrade ($720,000) and Wonthaggi Aquatics & Leisure Centre works ($500,000).
Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Wonthaggi
Detailed designs in 2026–27Progressing detailed designs for the redevelopment of the aquatic and leisure centre is one of the council's major initiatives in the 2026–27 budget. The Mayor named the redevelopment as an advocacy priority when he was elected in April 2026.
Source: Bass Coast Shire Council — Annual Budget 2026–27 (Major Initiatives)