Council identifies more than $10 million of priority projects for the region
January 30, 2018
Colac Otway Shire Council will push for funding over 30 major projects including $1.3 million for the Lake Colac Foreshore Master Plan, $1.35 million toward local roads upgrades and maintenance and $450,000 to the Apollo Bay Harbour precinct redevelopment.
Mayor Joe McCracken said that Council has been strategic in determining key infrastructure and planning projects which will best return economic, social and environmental outcomes to Colac Otway Shire.
“We have identified a diverse range of projects, many of which are shovel-ready, all of which are expected to generate considerable benefits for our community. The selected projects represent a program which will be delivered over a number of years to continue to strengthen our economy, improve the liveability of our region and enhance our communities,” Cr McCracken said.
“From the refurbishment of Winifred Nance Kindergarten ($400,000) to implementing the Forrest Mountain Bike Trail Strategy ($200,000), the Priority Projects framework should be seen as dynamic, responding to the changing needs and priorities within our diverse community to provide value to all.
“We’ve informed our selection of priorities through community engagement such as the new pre-budget consultation process and in developing the Council Plan 2017-2021. We know that our community wants the Memorial Square Master Plan to be delivered and the Great Ocean Road Authority to be established, and we’re focussed on having all priorities supported by our state and federal counterparts”
Past advocacy by Council has resulted in major projects such as the recently completed CBD Revitalisation Project being funded, and legislative changes like a ban the exploration and development of unconventional gas being achieved.
“Council’s tenacity in rallying politicians is paramount to getting extra funding or support for projects Council rate payers could simply not afford, but deserve to have,” Cr McCracken said.
“The Priority Projects have been assessed and selected based on merit, cost, feasibility and necessity. Our job now is to go out there and actively promote and advocate for each of our community’s priorities as these projects are reliant on State and Federal Government support for their delivery.”
An overview of priority projects is below. Please visit www.colacotway.vic.gov.au or contact Council if you would like to register to receive a formal priority projects document.
Project |
Total |
Council Role* |
Council Plan |
| 1. Implementation Phase | |||
| Lake Colac Foreshore Master Plan Implementation – Stage 1 (1) | $500,000 | COP | Our Prosperity |
| Memorial Square Master Plan Implementation – Stage 1 (2) | $129,000 | COP | Our Places |
| Winifred Nance Kindergarten Refurbishment (17) | $402,000 | PP (BCYF) | Our Community |
|
2. Advocacy / Lobbying Phase |
|||
| Lake Colac Foreshore Master Plan Implementation – Stage 2 (1) | $816,000 | COP | Our Prosperity |
| Memorial Square Master Plan Implementation – Stage 2 (2) | $1,600,000 | COP | Our Places |
| Apollo Bay Harbour Precinct Development Plan (5) | $200,000 | COP | Our Prosperity |
| Great Ocean Road Authority (8) | Advocate | PP (S & F) | Our Leadership & Management |
| Former Colac High School Site Land Donation (9) | Advocate | COP | Our Places |
| Central Reserve Master Plan Implementation - Stage 2 (12) | $1,000,000 | COP | Our Places |
| Increased Commuter Rail Services (18) | Advocate | AP | Our Leadership & Management |
| Colac Bypass Cost Benefit Analysis (21) | Advocate | AP | Our Leadership & Management |
| Colac Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan (23) | $100,000 | PP (BW) | Our Leadership & Management |
| Ship Wreck Coast Master Plan Implementation ($152M partner lead) (24) | Advocate | AP | Our Prosperity |
| Colanda Centre Future Land Use Plan (30) | Advocate | COP | Our Leadership & Management |
| Great Ocean Walk Part 1 - Apollo Bay to Skenes Creek (19) | Advocate | PP | Our Prosperity |
|
3. Project Development Phase |
|||
| Forrest Mountain Bike Trail Strategy Implementation – Stage 1 Design(3) | $200,000 | PP (PV & DELWP) | Our Prosperity |
| Colac Accommodation Attraction (4) | $100,000 | COP | Our Prosperity |
| Large Solar Array Investigation (Bruce St) (6) | $150,000 | COP | Our Leadership & Management |
| Strategic Local Roads Upgrades and Maintenance (7) | $1.35M | COP | Our Places |
| Joint G21 Councils Energy Efficient Lighting (Colac) (10) | $257,080 | PP | Our Leadership & Management |
| Colac Otway Drug and Alcohol Plan (13) | Advocacy | PP | Our Community |
| Early Years Hub – Apollo Bay (14) | $100,000 | PP | Our Community |
| Arterial Road Network Upgrades and Maintenance (15) | Advocate | COP | Our Leadership & Management |
| Community Development Employment Disadvantage GROW (3 years) (16) | $210,000 | PP | Our Community |
| Local Coastal Hazard Assessment (Stage 2) (20) | $800,000 | PP | Our Leadership & Management |
| Forest Street Colac Upgrades (22) | $1,000,000 | COP | Our Places |
| Colac Residential Housing Stock Analysis (25) | $40,000 | COP | Our Prosperity |
| Lavers Hill to Crowes and Melba Gully Trail Plan Implementation ($900,000) (26) | Advocate | COP | Our Places |
| Colac Jobs Expo and Schools Program (over 3 years) (29) | $125,000 | COP | Our Community |
|
4. Strategic Planning Projects Phase |
|||
| Apollo Bay Harbour Precinct Redevelopment – Public Infrastructure Planning (5) | $250,000 | COP | Our Prosperity |
| Great Ocean Road Region Infrastructure Plan (11) | $250,000 | PP | Our Prosperity |
| Great Ocean Walk Part 2 – Feasibility Skenes Creek to Surf Coast (19) | $300,000 | PP | Our Prosperity |
| Colac to Cororooke Shared Path Feasibility (27) | $30,000 | COP | Our Places |
| Stronger Communities Program (Several small projects) (28) | $570,000 | COP | Our Places |
*Legend
COP = Council owned
PP = Partnership Project
AP = Advocacy Project
BCYF = Barwon Child Youth & Family
PV = Parks Victoria
DELWP = Department of Land, Water & Planning
BW = Barwon Water
Council Enquiries
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