Fisherman Andrew Orchard joins harbour project group
May 25, 2017
Apollo Bay fisherman Andrew Orchard will join a project control group working on plans for the redevelopment of the Apollo Bay Harbour precinct.
Colac Otway Shire Council has also extended the PCG’s term to June 2019, acknowledging that there is more work to do to realise the community’s vision for the Apollo Bay Harbour precinct.
Mayor Chris Potter said Council was pleased to welcome Mr Orchard onto the group, which is currently in the market testing phase of the project.
Mr Orchard joins six other Apollo Bay and district community members on the project control group, which includes Andrew Buchanan from the Otway Coast Committee, Apollo Bay indoor pool campaigner Jane Gross, John Riches from the Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce, John Verey from the Apollo Bay Golf Club, Peter Filmore from the Otway Forum and Tim Cobb from the Apollo Bay Sailing Club.
The community representatives work on the PCG in partnership with Council and a variety of other government agencies.
“The PCG identified that the fishing sector was a key gap in the project control group. Andrew was nominated by the Fisherman’s Cooperative and recommended by the PCG to Council due to his knowledge of the local fishing sector,” Cr Potter said.
In February this year, Council engaged Essential Economics to undertake market testing for the harbour to gauge the business community’s interest in investing in the precinct.
The PCG will consider a draft report next week from Essential Economics following interviews with prospective developers and investors with experience in coastal developments.
Market testing is an essential first step because it will help determine whether the current planning controls for the harbour support the viable delivery of the community’s vision for the future of the precinct – a more complex Expression of Interest process will follow to inform a development plan and guide the redevelopment of the precinct.
At its May meeting Council also adopted a revised terms of reference document for the PCG.
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