Dear Members
* 69 McLachlan St contract was signed in July by Colac Otway Shire (COS) and the Apollo Bay Community. Charitable Trust (ABCCT). Although the transfer is still awaiting settlement, obstacles are closer to being overcome!
* Paradise Picnic Reserve works have achieved some noticeable improvements. The bollards are yet to be completed and a tree blocking access to the small ‘beach area’ requires removal.
* Affordable Housing: ABCV, along with other community group representatives and our local Councillors attended an informative session from Karl Fitzgerald, managing director of Grounded. A not-for-profit organisation established to advocate, incubate accelerate the development of Community Land Trusts in Australia. Karl’s presentation is available on our website.
* Richard Riordan engagement session with ABCV was fruitful sharing community issues.
* Colac Otway Shire engagement meeting: was held this month, the first of the 2025 quarterly meetings with the CEO Anne Howard, Mayor Schram and Deputy Mayor Howard. There were many issues to catch up on, having not met since June last year because of the Council election. Apollo Bay Fire Ready was added to the agenda, following the recent Cape Otway fire and evacuation. Karlijn Sas and Sandy Chamberlin attended to discuss the recovery.
* GORCAPA engagement meeting December 2024 was held online for the first time being a busy time of year. Many issues were discussed, as reported here, plus the Regional Coastal Adaptation Plan.
* Marengo Toilets we—continue to pursue this item with GORCAPA as a real need for the community thanks to Beth McLoughlin and Graham Hill for their work on this.
*Barham River estuary water quality discussed at both COS and GORCAPA executive meetings. ABCV is pursuing with Landcare, CCMA and Barwon Water. Thanks to John Marriner’s work on this.
* Marine Science Centre and Fossils Discovery, Apollo Bay: letters have been sent to Deakin Uni and GORCAPA to explore this possibility. Thanks to Tim Godfrey’s knowledge in this area and his contribution.
* GORCAPA Compliance Officers for the coast: ABCV has discussed with COS and GORCAPA. The outcome being that COS decides what local laws are enforced or not enforced. There has been no change since GORCAPA became the land manager. Existing compliance arrangement with Surf Coast via a MoU (from former Coast comm) only for dog and parking enforcement. GORCAPA will continue to work with Conservation Regulators (state entity) to explore increased efficiency around wildlife and native vegetation
compliance issues.
* Signage for Place of Last Resort: discussed with COS, pencil road signs have been installed but the sign on the actual site is yet to arrive.
* GORCAPA 2024 Annual Community Survey online, see the following link. GORCAPA is seeking community input about how you found connecting with them in 2024. What you liked, what you didn't like, and what they can do in 2025 to make engaging with them easier and more effective. They are keen to hear from those who connected with them through online surveys/webinars, community meetings, community drop-in session/event.
* Tourism Reimagined and the Great Ocean Road is a free webinar series to debate the future of tourism along the GOR. Five sessions inclusive of Monday 24th and Thursday 27th February, Monday 3rd March and Wednesday 12th March and Wednesday 19th March. All sessions 4pm - 5.30pm. Organised by Great Ocean Road Communities Network (GORCN) of
which we are a member group, the series will explore the opportunities for tourism along the GOR to transition from an unsustainable industrial model that encourages increasing numbers of visitors, to a regenerative and resilient model that will enhance our communities and tourists’ experiences, as it sustains the character and cultures of our region. Internationally renowned and experienced practitioners will share
their learnings about regenerative tourism as it is currently happening in Australia and overseas.
Registrations are necessary, scan the QR code, see attached. Many thanks to the Apollo Bay
Chamber of Commerce for their contribution to assist with funding this event.
* Childcare - The Parenthood campaigns for improved access to early childhood education and care in regional, rural and remote Australia. Their report, published in late 2023, included stories and case studies from parents and communities from all over rural Australia and included Apollo Bay. Their campaign continues in the lead up to the election to raise awareness of this issue in key seats including Wannon. ABCV has organised for local families and childcare providers to meet with Parenthood campaigner this
week to discuss their experiences with childcare and what needs to change.
* BSF Proposal – The last we reported in October was that the July Supreme Court hearing did not allow BSF to join GORCAPA, as the new port manager, to the case and that GORCAPA had requested an independent assessment of the harbour capacity for large vessels. In mid-December, ABCV was informed by GORCAPA staff that they had received a proposal from BSF to trial cattle transport through the Apollo Bay harbour in mid-January 2025. ABCV submitted a letter to the GORCAPA Board, government ministers
and COS Councillors airing some of the community concerns about the proposal and requesting further consultation with the community and transparency to adequately address the concerns to ensure that Apollo Bay’s pristine environment and its international reputation as an attractive tourism destination are maintained. There has been no public announcement regarding this application for the January trial to date.
* Dementia Care at Laura Pengilley session was held on 13 December at which Dr Terence Heng spoke about the different types of dementia, different levels of health care needs and GORH’s capacity to care for dementia patients in Apollo Bay. It was most informative with the CEO and many staff in attendance to share information. There is a clear need for more aged care beds and also a need for a specific dementia unit to be built as a new on-site facility. ABCV is sending a letter to the Health Minister to this effect. Many thanks to GORH for conducting this session to inform the community.
* Council Budget 2025 - 2026 ABCV has submitted to COS requests to increase the allocation for: coastal rubbish collection on peak days; public toilet cleaning on peak days; coastal parks, gardens and public open space maintenance; underground drainage repairs to stop flooding near Bendigo Bank area; maintenance funds for gravel roads. To allocate funds, for an update of the 2013 AB footpath/bike path strategy; a coastal childcare needs assessment; a desktop feasibility assessment of GOR west side trail; a revisit of the Council Infrastructure Plan to advance the section dealing with Bus Parking, Tourist Toilets
adjacent to the Bus Parking and Information Boards; a Fire Kit for Apollo Bay Fire Ready; a review of the War memorial area.
* Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve Update just in: From 3 February, works will commence to prepare to redevelop the northern Accommodation Precinct. Works will NOT limit access to the sports and recreation facilities in the reserve, which will continue as usual. However, camping will NOT be available, except for specific dates when limited camping outside the redevelopment zone will be open: AB Show 13-16 March; Easter long weekend 17-22 April; Anzac weekend 25-27 April; GOR Running Festival 16-18 May 2025. More info about the upgrades coming soon from GORCAPA.
* Fundraising events will be advertised in the coming months to raise much needed funds to enable ABCV to continue. 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 Kindergarten (69 McLachlan Street) to the community.
Donations are always welcome, contact us at apollobayvoice@gmail.com
* 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