Voice News
19th June 2024
69 McLachlan Street
Contract of Sale is still being negotiated with Colac Otway Shire. The formation of Apollo Bay Community Charitable Trust and the management contract with Great Ocean Road Health will follow. We look forward to a community celebration when all is finalised.
GORCAPA
Our next engagement meeting is Thursday 27 June. We have many items on the agenda, but if you would like anything added please
Bass Strait Freight (BSF)
BSF Proposal for a livestock freight service between King Island & Apollo Bay update.
The pertinent issues for port management are safety, infrastructure & environment.
The direction that applies to the vessels Matthew Flinders 3 and Matthew Flinders 4 (MF3 and MF4) is still in place. Neither of the vessels are permitted to enter the port unless risk issues can be resolved.
The scheduled date in May for appeal by BSF’s lawyers was deferred to June and the June date has been paused. Confirmation of a new date is pending. BSF have stated that there is no urgency now. The 500 tonnes of hay & pelletised stock feed was made available by a charity ‘Need for Feed’. BSF proposed to ship it from Apollo Bay using MF4. However, because the port is not suitable for an operation of this scale, COS assisted with the coordination of the transport operation with other port managers in Victoria. (Ref: minutes May meeting Port of Apollo Bay Community Consultative Committee – available on COS website).
colac Otway Shire
COS Mayor & CEO meet with ABCV quarterly. Our next engagement session is on Monday 24 June. A number of items are on the agenda but let us know by email if you want something included.
Non-resident Rate Payers
Non-resident ratepayers should confirm that you are listed on the Shire electoral roll as your listing is no longer automatic due to a recent change to the Local Government Act. This is particularly relevant to the number of votes received from Apollo Bay and adjacent areas.
Council Elections
Council Elections are later this year. Cr Stephen Hart is retiring after 18 years and we don’t know who else is retiring nor who will be standing for election. Representation from the coast is so important to our community, so please consider stepping forward. The Apollo Bay Stand for Council candidate information session was cancelled due to the low number of registrations received, however you can still participate in the Stand for Council session in Colac in-person or online, free on Thursday 20 June, 7pm – 9pm, at COPACC & online. Register to attend by Monday 17 June, 5pm via colacotway.vic.gov.au/election2024 or Phone: (03) 5232 9400 or Email:
South West Victoria Alliance
South West Victoria Alliance reception was recently attended by our Secretary, Graham Hill. The Alliance includes the shires of Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians & City of Warrnambool, with representation from Deakin Uni & Wannon Water. It launched its refreshed vision for the region at Parliament House last month showcasing industry, business, tourism, agriculture of the region. We are most grateful to COS for extending ABCV the invitation to provide the opportunity to network with MPs, CEOs & Mayors from the region and to Graham for attending on our behalf.
Paradise Picnic Reserve
Paradise Picnic Reserve improvements after COS commitment of $50,000. We were grateful for the opportunity to provide some initial input into the proposed works.
Climate Cafe Apollo Bay
Climate Café Apollo Bay was hosted by the Colac Climate Action Team last month with about 15 people in attendance. I attended on behalf of ABCV to hear the latest climate statistics and what other groups in the area have been doing to raise awareness. More information available from climateactionteam.org.au. Members Skills short questionnaire regarding skills you can offer with the view to seeking your help in relevant areas as they arise will be emailed next week.
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 close to 330 members and growing.
Please go to our website abcvoice.com.au and tap ‘Join Us’ if you would like to secure your membership.
Jane Gross
President
(03) 5237 6335
Apollo Bay Community Voice
PO Box 155, Apollo Bay VIC 3233
Email general concerns, queries, or comments to
Please note that at times, we receive a large volume of emails and as volunteers we cannot guarantee immediate responses but we endeavour to respond in a timely manner.