November Report

* The Community Hub, 69 McLachlan St (the old Preschool) project has taken a lot of time over the past year and has been a major focus to achieve for the community. The tender process is imminent so that builders can be appointed before Xmas. For more detail, please refer to my previous email or see https://www.abcvoice.com.au/latestnews

* 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

* GORCAPA engagement meetings – with the changes in the CEO, Board & staff this year, our committee has had 3 meetings in 2025 with GORCAPA. Many issues have been raised on behalf of the community and many GORCAPA projects have been shared and explained. Last week’s meeting was the last for the year at which 5 staff attended in person and 1 remotely. Items for discussion included the Recreation Reserve – the Eco tents, occupancy, affordability, availability for seasonal workers; Skenes Creek carparking; the Marengo beacons; signage for toilets at Marengo; Harbour Redevelopment; Maits Rest bus parking restrictions; bus licensing; sustainable visitation strategy; the 12 Apostles development; the hooded plovers; beach accessibility; toilet cleaning; confusion around who is responsible – Council or GORCAPA; compliance matters including dogs on beaches.Issues - eg public toilets or other email info@greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au (NOT bins – that is Council’s responsibility – snap, send, solve app or email inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au )

Colac Otway Shire engagement meeting – the change in the CEO & budget preparation limited our committee meetings with the Mayor, Dep Mayor & CEO to only 2 for 2025. It is hoped that quarterly meetings will resume for 2026 and that all Councillors will be invited to attend. At the most recent meeting in September, items for discussion included – affordable housing; child care; improving streetscapes & public open space; communication and consultation with community; mutual updates re work/actions in the pipeline

Great Ocean Road Communities Network (GORCN) represents more than 15 communities along the GOR and ABCV is pleased to be a member, having attended 6 meetings throughout the year plus those between GORCN and GORCAPA.

Barham Water & Skenes Creek water quality – ABCV continues to pursue how testing could be achieved, to ensure safe water quality for swimming.

*Outside School Hours Care is proving difficult to achieve, but ABCV is hoping to organise some activities for primary aged children in the school holidays in 2026.

* 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.

* Off-street carparking for Community Hall - in partnership with Asset Management Committee, ABCV lobbying Council

* Priority projects list – the ABCV committee has been discussing how to best liaise with the community to discuss looking ahead. To that end we are planning to hold a Round table discussion event mid 2026 for which we are seeking funding. More information to come.

* New committee member – ABCV welcomes Sue Mackay to the committee, since the August AGM. 

* 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.

Jane Gross, 

President