Surf Coast Shire Council

**Surf Coast Shire Council** operates as a **measured growth manager** with strong environmental and coastal character priorities. The council has recently adopted its Urban Futures Strategy (April 2025), positioning them as strategically focused but protective of their coastal identity. **Processing times** tend to be **moderate to slow**, particularly for applications near coastal areas or involving vegetation removal. The council is known for thorough assessment processes, with pre-application meetings strongly recommended given their complex overlay requirements and bushfire constraints. **Common delays** include **bushfire referrals** to CFA, coastal and environmental assessments, and heritage considerations in established coastal townships. RFIs frequently focus on landscape character compatibility and sustainable design elements, reflecting their environmental priorities. The **planning department** is generally **well-regarded but cautious**, taking a strict interpretation approach to neighbourhood character, particularly in minimal change coastal areas. They're proactive in strategic planning but conservative in application assessment. **Strategic priorities** clearly favor **Winchelsea growth** (targeting 4,500-7,500 homes) while **restricting coastal township expansion**. Applications in Torquay-Jan Juc face protected settlement boundary constraints, while bushfire-prone areas see significant resistance. Expect support for well-designed infill in growth areas but strong pushback on coastal character impacts.