Celebrating Cardinia Shire’s year in review

Throughout 2024–25 Council continued to work hard to deliver essential services, programs and projects to help meet the needs of our growing community, while responding to challenges and ensuring responsible management of Council resources.

The Annual Report provides a comprehensive Report of Operations as well as audited Financial Statements and Performance Statement. It outlines Council’s achievements in fulfilling the objectives and commitments of our Council Plan and budget.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik said the Annual Report included highlights and achievements of the year across all five key strategic objectives of the Council Plan 2021–25 – strong communities, liveable places, thriving environments, prosperous economies and responsible leaders.

“Along with my fellow councillors, I’m proud to present our Annual Report to the community as a record of our accomplishments throughout 2024–25,” Mayor Kowarzik said.

“We celebrated many achievements and responded to a range of challenges, and through it all our focus remained the same – our community.

“Our Annual Report highlights our key achievements and challenges, and demonstrates how we’re delivering on the Community Vision and Council Plan for our community.”

Key achievements in 2024–25 included:

• Delivering a capital works program valued at $65 million.
• Completing or progressing a number of recreation and community facilities including Officer District Park, Boollam Boollam Integrated Child and Family Centre, Koo Wee Rup Bowling and Community Hub, Garfield North Community Centre and Worrell Recreation Reserve skate park and youth plaza.
• Finishing the year with an operating surplus of $123.9 million, which is more than the budgeted surplus of $75 million.
• Endorsing Council’s key advocacy priorities and strengthening advocacy efforts. This included a comprehensive Federal election advocacy campaign and developing a number of resources and tools to support Council’s ongoing advocacy efforts and to empower the community to lead their own advocacy endeavours.
• Attracting several new services to the shire and continuing to work in partnership with services and not-for-profit agencies to advocate and support the work they do within Cardinia Shire.
• Delivering a range of events and programs that that celebrated arts and culture, cultural diversity, our older residents and the shire’s children and young people.

Council delivered a range of crucial services and projects throughout 2024–25. Below is a snapshot of standout statistics:

• 822km of unsealed roads and 846km of sealed roads maintained.
• 17,129 Maternal and Child Health consultations conducted.
• 937km of footpaths maintained.
• 23,239 tonnes of garbage collected.
• 201 playgrounds maintained.
• 9,696 tonnes of recyclables collected.
• 324,739 library collection items loaned.
• 1,580 hectares of open space maintained.
• 2,831 kindergarten enrolments processed.
• 45.84 per cent of waste diverted from landfill.
• 18,011 youth contacts with Council.
• 733 planning applications lodged.

To view the Annual Report 2024-25, please visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/annualreport