Voice News
16th September 2026
SEPTEMBER REPORT
* Community Priority Projects Sunday’s Looking Ahead event allowed 70 members of our community to come together to explore our strengths and ideas for the future. The facilitators, Lisa and Chelsey, have collated the ideas, strengths and priorities identified during the day into a summary document as attached. It will be a valuable resource to guide future projects, advocacy and grant applications by demonstrating what matters to our community. Thank you to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) for its Strengthening Rural Communities grant, which made the event possible.
* The Community Hub, 69 McLachlan St (the old Preschool) project is back on track thanks to the generosity of our amazing community groups. It’s not long now until you’ll see some action on site as the builder should start work this month, as soon as the building permit is issued.
* Affordable Housing: The affordable housing task force has been working closely with Deakin University and Formflow on an affordable housing scheme for the Nelson Street Depot site. The results so far have been outstanding, and we are looking forward to a public consultation in the next few weeks, with a view to Formflow seeking planning approval under the new State Government Legislation.
On another front, the affordable housing task force has discovered that "backyard pods", where they are separately inhabitable, must be separately rated, under Victorian Law. This in turn triggers Land Tax from the SRO; and down the track CGT would be payable upon selling "a second home". All this despite the pod being on a single title. On a more positive note, the work that has been carried out by Formflow, Geelong for the Nelson St Depot site, is equally applicable for competitively priced backyard pods. We anticipate creating an information pack for interested residents.
* Paradise - we confirmed (in writing) with DEECA in July that COS is responsible for the Barham River Reserve encompassing the Paradise Scenic Reserve. However, recently discovered that Parks Victoria is responsible for Marriners Falls Reserve.
* ABCV will be making submissions to Colac Otway Shire’s Community Engagement Policy and the Revenue & Rating Plan, both are due by 7 October 2026. To have your say go to colacotway.vic.gov.au/Community-Consultations/Draft-Community-Engagement-Policy
colacotway.vic.gov.au/Community-Consultations/Draft-Revenue-and-Rating-Plan
* Dogs on beaches if you have any issues about dogs on beaches, please contact GORCAPA directly rather than COS. GORCAPA phone contact 1300 736 533.
* Recent meeting with GORCAPA was informative. Coastal specialist, Robert Armstrong, shared research about sand movement - GORCAPA’s monitoring and understanding of the Apollo Bay beach and dune system and littoral sand movement influenced by the harbour and the new groynes.
* Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Otway kids OSHC Lavers Hill will run a sub-branch at Apollo Bay for the forthcoming School Holidays, with the possibility of growing it to After School Care. The program will run from Tuesday 22 Sept – Thursday 24 Sept (Fri 25 Public Holiday) & Tues 29 Sept – Fri 5 Oct for age 5 – 12 year-olds, 8.30am – 5.30 pm.
* Electric Vehicle charger providers – Evie two extra charging stations in Pascoe St Carpark, not progressing due to opposition from surrounding landholders. Powercor in collaboration with COS is planning on 2 pole chargers in Apollo Bay. Though the pole chargers are slow (overnight) and there is some disagreement about where the pole chargers should be located. Meanwhile, Tesla is progressing its 6-supercharger plans in collaboration with ABGC. GORCAPA and DEECA will need to approve these plans.
* AGM – Sunday 25 October, 2pm at the Community Hall Speakers to be confirmed
* Donations For those who can help to sustain the Community Voice into the future, please donate 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. Many thanks to those who have already donated.
* 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.
Jane Gross
President
(03) 5237 6335, 0405 617 151
Apollo Bay Community Voice
PO Box 155, Apollo Bay VIC 3233
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