Voice News
3rd February 2026
What an eventful beginning to 2026 for us all! Let's hope the year is a good one for our community.
We've had our first meeting for the year thus the report below.
FEBRUARY REPORT
* The Community Hub, 69 McLachlan St (the old Preschool) project will come together this year. The building contract should be awarded and executed in March with the view to it opening for community use in or by September.
* Affordable Housing: the Housing Task Force is investigating possible options and models for the community, including liaising with other communities on the Great Ocean Road.
Colac Otway Shire invites you to Have Your Say on the Future of Affordable Housing for Key Workers in Apollo Bay. Your views will help inform how new housing models are designed and delivered in our region. Complete the 10 minute survey available from until Sunday 22 Feb. Your views will help inform how new housing models are designed and delivered in our region. Take part now.
* GORCAPA engagement first meeting for 2026 is scheduled for 19 February.
* Colac Otway Shire engagement meetings for 2026 – await date confirmation.
* Great Ocean Road Communities Network (GORCN) represents more than 15 communities along the GOR and ABCV regularly attends meetings. First meeting for 2026 is scheduled for 18 February.
* Barham Water & Skenes Creek water quality – ABCV continues to pursue how testing could be achieved, to ensure safe water quality for swimming.
* School Holiday Programs - still being pursued
* Second EV charger provider – in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce & SOS, ABCV continues to lobby for a fast charger for Apollo Bay for the future with both Ampol and Powercor
* Priority projects list - we are planning to hold a Round table discussion event mid 2026 for which we await the outcome of our funding application in March.
* Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability's report on the Great Ocean Road was released in December 2025. Read it here.
* ABCV made a detailed submission to the Colac Otway Shire 2026/27 budget highlighting priority projects including affordable housing, child-care, footpaths, road reconstructions, Community Infrastructure Plan, Fire Ready provisions and maintenance including waste collection, toilets, domestic animal control, coastal streetscapes and public open spaces.
* Donations For those who are in a position to help to sustain the Community Voice into the future, please make your donation to Apollo Bay Community Voice BSB 633 000 Account Number 206 051 526 . Membership is free, so we rely on donations for the general running of the association Please support us so that we can continue to advocate for you.
* Memberships Thank you to all those who have submitted membership applications. Click ‘Join Us’ at www.abcvoice.com.au to make our voice even stronger.
Thankyou for your interest and support.
Jane Gross
President
(03) 5237 6335, 0405 617 151
Apollo Bay Community Voice
PO Box 155, Apollo Bay VIC 3233
Email general concerns, queries, or comments to