Council ends membership of Great South Coast lobby group
February 25, 2016
Colac Otway Shire Council will cease its membership with the Great South Coast lobby group as our community's future and priorities become more aligned with the Geelong and Surf Coast regions.
A State Government boundary realignment, which shifted Colac Otway Shire out of the Great South Coast and into the Barwon region, prompted Council's review of its Great South Coast membership.
Mayor Frank Buchanan said rate capping was the other impetus behind the move, with Council's departure from the group saving $30,000 annually.
Cr Buchanan said that with the combined pressures of rate capping, funding cuts and declining government grants, Council could no longer afford to be part of both the Great South Coast and the G21 lobby groups.
"While the State Government's boundary realignment prompted us to examine our options, Colac Otway's ties with Geelong and the Surf Coast, and particularly the G21 regional lobby group, have been growing and strengthening for many years," he said.
"The duplication of the Princes Highway has created a stronger physical link between Colac and Geelong, and the lobbying we are doing for improved rail services along the south-west corridor will further underpin this.
"Colac, Corio and Norlane are three of Victoria's most disadvantaged areas, and we are working closely with the G21 on a project to combat these issues with a strong focus on educational attainment and employment."
Cr Buchanan said Colac Otway was committed to maintaining strong relationships with the Great South Coast member councils.
"Even if we are no longer members of the Great South Coast lobby group, we will work hard to maintain our networks with the councils to our west, as there are many important projects we can progress by working together," he said.
"Towards this, a new CEO network will be pursued to ensure we continue with joint advocacy and strategy development on an ongoing basis."
Council's membership with the Great South Coast group will officially end on 30 June, 2016.
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400