SurfLink is Surf Coast Shire’s innovative answer to the requirements of Compulsory Competitive Tendering and National Competition Policy. In 1995, the new Council, which includes the scenic Victorian coastline region between Torquay and Lorne and its hinterland, developed Surf Coast 2020 – a vision for future development. Among other aims, it identified local job creation, in harmony with its natural environment, as a key issue.
SurfLink was established as the contract services provider arm of Council, but quickly developed to offer services to a wider market. As ‘the complete answer to contract services for Local Government and the private sector’, SurfLink is a highly professional organisation operating autonomously and generating local economic growth.
In recognising that a ‘save jobs, save money’ mentality would lead to stagnation or worse, SurfLink adopted a proactive philosophy of job creation and economic expansion. Now operating four different businesses, SurfLink has expanded by ploughing profits back, creating of new enterprises to strengthen its economic base.
In all respects, it acts as a modern, technologically advanced and efficient, private sector company in the marketplace. Ratepayers are the effective shareholders and dividends are returned to Council. Michael Courtney, General Manager of SurfLink, said that the advantages are realised through the retention and creation of jobs at the local level, opportunities for new sources of revenue for Council, and community retention of profits.
SurfLink’s Strategic Plan, adopted by Council in 1997, centres on the following key areas.
- Stakeholder alliances
- Customer service
- Public sector business growth
- Commercial business growth
- Technology and systems
- Human resources management.
A major part of the Strategy is the creation of commercial business. In cooperation with major businesses, it has been able to generate economic activity and jobs growth. With 28 new jobs being created, together with $1.3 million of infrastructure investment, SurfLink has brought cutting edge technology and skills to the region. As a system readily replicated, SurfLink has been in demand as a consultant to other Local Government bodies wishing to structure and implement their own community oriented business arm.
For further information contact Michael Courtney, telephone (03) 5261 7125.
