Breaking News Colac Otway Shire. On Wednesday the Minister for Local Government appointed Christine Ferguson as municipal monitor to Colac Otway Shire from now until 31 January 2025. The Chief Municipal Inspector recommended the Minister exercise her powers under the Local Government Act, based on reports of issues relating to the conduct of councillors and a lack of adherence to governance rules.
Breaking News GORCAPA. On Monday DEECA called for comment on proposed visitor parking fees for GORCAPA managed land; on Wednesday the State government denied its plans and took down the website that was seeking public consultation. Following recent meetings with Colac Otway Shire and GORCAPA, prior to this week, we have the following to report.
Colac Otway Shire Paradise Picnic Reserve improvements to start very soon
Hoarding signs for vacant blocks in main street require consent from owner
Housing — Homes Vic will be building a number of units in Colac. Apollo Bay is apparently on their radar but no announcement yet as to where the land will be purchased nor for how many units.
Childcare is an ongoing discussion.
Port Transfer is now managed by GORCAPA from 1 July 2024.
Tip vouchers — Surf Coast Shire includes tipping vouchers with its Rate notices & mails out green-waste vouches at the end of Spring, ABCV are asking COS do the same.
Next Council meeting is in Apollo Bay Wednesday 24 July 2024 at the Bowls Club 4pm.
GORCAPA — BSF Proposal for a livestock freight service between King Island and Apollo Bay. Court case is rescheduled for 23 July.
Whale burial— DEECA response was in line with State emergency plan response policy. GORCAPA to look into signage at the site warning of increased shark sightings.
Shark sightings— please share with GORCAPA to info@greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au and via the Dorsal app, found at www.dorsalwatch.com
Marengo toilet — permanent wayfinding signs to point to the caravan park toilets are going in soon.
Browns Creek fossils — concern they are not being protected. GORCAPA is developing procedure. If anyone knows of any removal or threat of removal to contact the Office of the Conservation Regulator ASAP via https://www.vic.gov.au/conservation-regulator
Mother's Beach erosion is being monitored by drone and ad hoc visually.
Recreation Reserve works & general clean-up of area. Despite recent media, the Rec Reserve upgrades will continue, in-fact works will be commencing on Monday and the reserve will be open again in time to ensure summer patronage. GORCAPA to provide a written update of timeline, works and grant outcomes to ABCV and to Apollo Bay News.
Lighthouse — mercury vapour closure. A second round of cleaning is needed and there is no set re-opening date at this stage.
Lightstation Project — attracted a positive response to the recent engagement, with close to 100 online survey responses and several phone calls and emails.
Skenes Creek campground stairs — have been closed since early 2023. GORCAPA to work with team to provide feedback in writing to the Skenes Creek Association, ABCV and Apollo Bay News Sheet; engagement will occur in the coming weeks.
Trafalgar Street carpark rubbish bin. GORCAPA working with COS to identify a suitable site.
Recent organisation review & structure changes — include creation of a new Coastal Operations Manager role to oversee the whole GOR area that GORCAPA manages. Caleb Hurrell was successful in recruitment to this role. A new supervisor will be recruited and in place in the coming months and become a key local contact for the Apollo Bay community.
Regional Coastal Adaptation Plan — developed by GORCAPA was presented to the ABCV committee and will be presented to the wider community in the coming months.
ABCV Members Skills. Thank you to members who have completed the short questionnaire. If you haven’t already done so, please click the following link and complete by Sunday 28 July 2024. https://forms.gle/48qEWAzFTLsorwyHA
ABCV AGM date set for Sunday 8th September 2pm – 3pm venue TBC.
New Memberships. Thank you to all those who have submitted membership applications. Currently, we have over 330 members and growing.
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