Voice News
13th October 2024
69 McLachlan Street
Transfer is awaiting settlement even though the contract was signed in July by Colac Otway Shire (COS) & the Apollo Bay Community Charitable Trust. There have been some tax issues that hopefully will be sorted out by the end of the month.
Apollo Bay News Funds
We are most grateful to the Newssheet for providing the much needed emergency funds to assist in the settlement of 69 McLachlan Street. Many thanks to the Apollo Bay News Committee.
Bendigo Bank Community Funding and Tiny Towns Round 2 Grant Funding
Funding is currently being sought by ABCV to refurbish the old Preschool at 69 McLachlan Street to accommodate its ongoing use by the community. Many thanks to Chris Straw who has created some conceptual design for the wet area (toilets etc) as part of the revised submission.
Before & After school childcare & holiday program
We have been working with Great Ocean Road Health and other bodies to write a survey which is now being distributed to the community. This is a first step to assess the exact level of need.
Members’ Skills Register
We have received 28 responses and would like to build this database so please go to our website for more information and to register your skills (hover over ‘Join Us’ on the front page to be directed to this link).
Bass Strait Freight (BSF) Proposal
The 23rd July Supreme Court hearing did not allow BSF to join GORCAPA, as the new port manager, to the case. And GORCAPA has requested an independent assessment of the harbour capacity for large vessels.
Paradise Picnic Reserve
Jarrod Woff (COS) is doing a great job of managing the project and much has been achieved to date. Check out the new works, soon to be completed.
Affordable Housing
ABCV is working to become more informed about possible ways of creating affordable housing in rural and remote towns via online presentations.
CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy roundtable series
To shape strategy for the next 5 years. Was attended by Graham Hill on behalf of ABCV.
Richard Riordan
Richard as been invited to an engagement session with ABCV later in the year.
ABCV AGM
The AGM report was sent to members immediately after the meeting
Next COS Engagement Meeting
Postponed until new council & mayor are elected.
Marine Science Centre and Fossils Discovery, Apollo Bay
Thank you to Tim Godfrey for his knowledge and assistance to seek support from Deakin University and GORCAPA for this initiative.
Great Ocean Road Communities Network (GORCN)
The GORCN AGM was held in Apollo Bay on Saturday 5 October. GORCN has membership from 20 community group representatives from along the Great Ocean Road from Torquay to Port Campbell. Meetings through the year are online but once a year they meet in person at an ‘AGM’. We hosted it this year to discuss issues shared by all communities alongside the challenges of increasing tourism and environmental changes.
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:
Council Candidates Forum
ABCV, along with SOS, hosted the Forum in Apollo Bay on Sunday 6th October. 11 of the 18 candidates attended and spoke. There were 3 apologies and 4 of the candidates failed to respond to our invitation. Thank you to all who attended and to Sally Cannon who did a sterling job as Moderator. Unfortunately, our attempt to record the session was unsuccessful. Remember voting is by postal vote only and must be submitted by last post on 25th Oct. We are fortunate to have 4 candidates standing from Apollo Bay in Mick Fischer, Phil Howard, Peter Byrnes and Chrissy De Deugd.
GORCAPA CRG for the new Harbour Redevelopment Plan
Graham Hill is representing ABCV and the Golf Club on this newly formed Community Reference Group.
New Memberships
Thank you to all those who have submitted membership applications. Currently, we have over 330 members and growing.
Southern Otways Sustainable (SOS)
SOS is once again partnering with Geelong Sustainability to take the hard work out of going electric with the electric homes program. Head toelectrichomes.com.au to find out more.
Applications and expressions of interest are open now, closing October 30th.
Jane Gross
President
(03) 5237 6335
Apollo Bay Community Voice
PO Box 155, Apollo Bay VIC 3233
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