Mayor's Message

By Cr Clare Le Serve

Dear Bass Coast,

I hope you all had a safe and happy Easter break!

Last week we had a couple of community resilience and recovery sessions which were filled with lively engagement with multi-agency partners such as CFA, SES, Victoria Police, AusNet and others.

Agencies provided support and answered questions from residents, as well as providing practical and hands-on support for recovery and disaster resilience.

With our agency and government partners we continue to provide support to individuals and communities recovery from the storm and power outage events, and I continue to be inspired by the collaborative community spirit across our Shire.

I also attended an industry briefing hosted by Destination Phillip Island and I'd like to share with you some exciting developments and initiatives that are taking place in our beloved Bass Coast Shire.

As your Mayor, it is my privilege to keep you informed and engaged in the progress and opportunities that are shaping our community.

I am pleased to announce the Bass Coast Shire Council has commenced work towards attaining Ecotourism Destination Certification through Eco Tourism Australia. This important step represents our commitment to enhancing our nature-based tourism destination with a strong emphasis on ecotourism principles. Through cultural and natural interpretation, education for visitors, and active engagement of local businesses in sustainability practices, we aim to create a vibrant and sustainable tourism ecosystem. This process will span approximately 12 to 18 months, and we look forward to working with our key partners and industry to achieve this.

In line with our commitment to fostering economic growth and development, we are delighted to work collaboratively with businesses and industries, including exciting new projects like the Isle of Wight on Phillip Island.

Our partnership initiatives focus on upskilling, development, and growth opportunities, such as the upcoming "She's on the Money" event on Tuesday, April 30, at RACV Inverloch, and the opening of nominations for the 17th annual Bass Coast Business Awards as mentioned last week. These events not only celebrate our local businesses but also contribute significantly to our region's economic prosperity.

As we continue to grow and evolve, sustainability remains a key priority. We are committed to ensuring that Bass Coast grows in a sustainable and inclusive manner, preserving our natural assets and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

I encourage you to stay engaged and participate in the upcoming industry session on sustainable tourism, as well as our community events and initiatives. Together, we can create a thriving, resilient and sustainable Bass Coast for generations to come.

Please make sure you're signed up to Engage Bass Coast and across our social media platforms to get up to date information and of course, have your say!