Council Plan and Community Vision

The Vision developed by the Baw Baw Shire Community in 2021 was:

Sustainable - Sustainable towns and villages that continue to benefit from our beautiful rural and natural environment.

Healthy - Healthy people, living in connected communities and healthy environments.

Thriving - Thriving, diverse and resilient communities.

The Community Vision is based on a 20+ year timeframe and captures the long-term goals and aspirations of the community for Baw Baw Shire and was developed through deliberative engagement with the Baw Baw Shire Community.

Considering what Council heard from the community, and the challenges and opportunities this Council wants to address during the 2025-29 term, Council made the strategic choice to structure its focus and resourcing on the Community Vision goals, in the following order: Thriving, Healthy, and Sustainable.

Our strategic direction helps us focus on what matters most during this term, so we can respond to challenges, make the most of opportunities, and stay true to our shared values—working together to build a thriving, healthy, and sustainable community.

Population growth

A growing community increases the pressure on Council’s ability to delivery and requires stronger advocacy to support expanding community needs.

Infrastructure and the built environment

We need to maintain and renew existing infrastructure as well as deliver new assets for our growing and changing population.

External factors that affect development and the delivery of supporting infrastructure

Development is often influenced by planning rules, funding mechanisms, and market forces beyond Council’s control.

Income and funding constraints

Council’s ability to raise funds is constrained by reduced government support and rate caps that don’t keep pace with rising costs and inflation.

Increasing responsibilities from Government with insufficient funding (cost-shifting)

Council is being asked to deliver more services without enough funding to match, putting pressure on local resources.

Social and community connection

We have the chance to bring people together by activating public spaces and supporting easy access to community-led events.

Develop and promote Baw Baw’s unique identity

By celebrating what makes our shire special, we can build local pride, attract visitors and new opportunities.

Community prosperity through economic development

Helping local businesses grow and attracting new ones can boost our economy and support a strong, connected community.

Build financial strength for the future

By working with others, finding new funding sources, and pushing for fairer systems, we can better support our community long-term.

Protect and promote our natural assets and heritage

As the shire grows, we can enhance and protect natural landscapes, support sustainable agriculture, and celebrate local heritage and First Nations history.

Council has developed the following shared values to guide its decision making and progress over the coming years.

1. We are committed to enhancing liveability. This means creating safe, supportive, and vibrant communities where everyone can benefit from quality services and accessible facilities.

2. We are setting the groundwork for the next 20 years. We are laying strong foundations for the future by enhancing what makes Baw Baw unique and planning ahead for how things are built, used, and looked after over time.

3.  We want our community to prosper. We support local, promote Baw Baw as open for business, and build strong relationships with business and development sectors to help our community thrive.

4. We work in unison with our community and stakeholders. We value the skills and expertise within our community, focus on building trust through better engagement and communication, and aim to keep people informed—even when things don’t go to plan.

5. We use creativity and innovation to manage our resources and assets effectively. We operate with excellence and provide value for money by reviewing our services, using technology and innovation wisely, and making sure our assets are put to their best use for the community.

The largest community engagement exercise that Council undertakes (every four-years) which was called ‘Shape Baw Baw for the next four’. This provides a great opportunity for our community to get involved in setting the strategic direction of our organisation and outcomes for the community.

A Thriving Community – Thriving, diverse, and resilient communities.

Thriving.

 Council aims to create a thriving community by supporting local business growth and job creation, promoting its region as a unique tourism destination, and fostering vibrant events that celebrate and strengthen community life.

Diverse.

Council celebrates and protects the shire’s unique heritage. It supports its diverse community to connect with each other and with creativity. Growing the unique creative community of the region.

Resilient.

Council builds a resilient Shire through long-term planning that protects and enhances liveability, and by strengthening transport networks and connections that support safe, accessible, and sustainable communities.

A Healthy Community – Healthy people, living in connected communities, and healthy environments.

Healthy People.

Enhancing personal health, safety, and wellbeing of our community through the services Council delivers and assets it manages. Working with and promoting external providers of services to our community.

Connected communities.

Foster an inclusive, connected, and empowered community by supporting local groups and initiatives.

Healthy environments.

Provide access to high-quality parks, outdoor spaces, and recreational facilities that support passive and active recreation across the whole shire. Prioritisation and investment that is based on data and evidence of the population’s needs.

A Sustainable Shire – Sustainable towns and villages that continue to benefit from our beautiful rural and natural environment.

Natural Environment.

Protect, enhance, and improve access to Council's natural environment, including trees and green assets.

Council Supporting Thriving, Healthy, Sustainable.

Community engagement.

Working in partnership with the community by tapping into their expertise and experience during the planning and design of community assets, programs, and services.

Community trust.

Build community trust by focusing on customer experience and operational excellence.

Advocacy.

Strategic advocacy that seeks the best outcome for our current and future communities.

Council also publishes its annual performance against the Local Government Performance Reporting Framework on the State Government Know Your Council website.