Voice News
18th April 2025
Another quarter has flown by, Happy Easter and enjoy reading the latest from us in the following report!
69 McLachlan Street
Contract is soon to be settled as the recently formed Apollo Bay Community Charitable Trust (ABCCT) has now achieved charity registration. We look forward to sharing the good news as soon as the transfer is made, in a matter of weeks!.
Affordable Housing
ABCV will be forming a Housing Task Force to continue the work that the Chamber of Commerce started some time ago to investigate options for the community.
GORCAPA
ABCV Engagement
Meeting is scheduled for the end of this month. Jodie Sizer has just resigned from her role as CEO, the reason for her decision is not yet known. Andy Mathers, GORCAPA’s director of community, corporate affairs and visitor economy is now serving as acting CEO. Christine Ferguson, who recently concluded a six-month stint as a state government-appointed municipal monitor to the Colac Otway Shire council, will assume the role of interim CEO from Monday, April 28, while the organisation commences a search for a new boss.
Marine Science Centre & Fossils Discovery, Apollo Bay
ABCV is hoping to find a site for a small display as a starting point until a dedicated space can be found.
Tourism Reimagined and the Great Ocean Road
Was well-attended and informative. ABCV will have links to the recordings of all 5 sessions on the website very soon.
2050 Council Vision and the 2025-2029 Council Plan
Graham Costin was the ABCV representative, one of 25 local representatives, requiring attendance at 4 meetings in different locations. The review will be presented to the community in coming months.
BSF Proposal
Proposal to trial cattle transport through the Apollo Bay harbour in mid-January 2025 was refused by GORCAPA in its role as the port manager to ensure that port operations were carried out safely, efficiently and effectively.
Paradise Picnic Reserve
ABCV continues to advocate for its improved maintenance and refurbishment to restore it, as it once was, as an attractive natural beauty spot for residents and tourists.
Barwon Water Apollo Bay Community Working Group
Recently formed. Graham Costin is the ABCV representative.
Sale of 80 GOR
32.5ha on the Barham River's floodplain is on the market. SOLN is looking for a philanthropic conservation-minded individual/group to purchase this land to enable the restoration of its wetlands and swampy heathlands. The Barham River is Apollo Bay’s water supply & its catchment is central to much of the work the Landcare network (SOLN) has been doing over the last 30 years. SOLN has a vision to restore the river’s wetlands restoring habitat for threatened species; restoring threatened vegetation; building an ecotourism asset; recapturing and recycling nutrients, including storing carbon. The parcel of land has high ecological, cultural and geomorphological significance. SOLN has compiled an impressive proposal, please contact Andrea De Kauwe for more information -
Colac Otway Shire 2025 – 2029 Draft Revenue & Rating Plan
Is being exhibited on Council’s website: colacotway.vic.gov.au and the community is invited to provide their feedback. ABCV will be providing a submission. Submissions close 5pm on Friday 25 April.
Wannon Candidates Forum
Deakin University Warrnambool Campus Wed, 23 Apr, 6pm - 8:30pm Hosted by South West Victoria Alliance events.humanitix.com/wannonforum This forum will be livestreamed through local council Facebook pages and via the Warrnambool Standard. You do not need to register to watch the livestream. This event is being organised by the SouthWest Victoria Alliance, which advocates on behalf of communities across a vast region that includes the shires of Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians and the City of Warrnambool.
Donations
A Donations tab will soon appear on our website for those who are in a position to help to sustain the Community Voice into the future. Membership is free, so we have no means of raising funds for the general running of the association and the unforeseen costs associated with the handover of the old Kinda (69 McLachlan Street) to the community. Please support us so that we can continue to advocate for you.
ABCV Membership
To join, go to abcvoice.com.au and click ‘Join Us’.
Jane Gross
President
(03) 5237 6335
Apollo Bay Community Voice
PO Box 155, Apollo Bay VIC 3233
Email general concerns, queries, or comments to