Articles by: Billy Higgins
Corangamite elects mayor
Ruth Gstrein will return as Corangamite Shire Council mayor, with Geraldine Conheady as her new deputy.
Frustration at ongoing park closure
Skenes Creek Caravan Park will open next month at a reduced capacity, more than a year after the State Government ousted its previous long-term tenants.
Lobbyists seeking a candidate
Local democracy group Voices for Wannon is seeking an independent candidate to run at the upcoming federal election.
Hope for lobster sales rebound
Apollo Bay lobster fishers hope an expected boost in local lobster consumption can boost the industry that remains without its key export market.
Winchelsea sports facilities and op shop progressing
Surf Coast Shire Council has applied to tweak its planning scheme to allow key community projects to progress, and a fix for Winchelsea’s stadium is on track.
Big plans for Winch pool
Winchelsea Pool is due for an upgrade, and locals are set to shape what the new facility looks like.
Lights coming for Lorne bridge
Money meant for Lorne’s cancelled New Year’s Eve fireworks will instead go towards new lights at the town’s iconic swing bridge.
Backflip on housing plans
A Melbourne property developer has backed down from plans for a low-density housing estate at Camperdown following strong community and council opposition.
Trail dream forging ahead
The first stage of major upgrades to Forrest’s mountain bike trails is close to completion, while further stages progress through planning stages.
Fantastic finishes for bright garden
Decades of experience and dedication have culminated in the Finn family’s stunning wrap-around garden, which includes touches of their farming pedigree.
Reprieve for Bay taxi users
Apollo Bay’s taxi service has received a last-minute lifeline and sold to new owners.
MP postpones meeting
Wannon MP Dan Tehan will reschedule a meeting with a local democracy group after a visit from an international diplomat caused a last-minute cancellation.
Carbon conference clash
Otways climate protesters have rallied against a carbon storage research project that they say is slowing down Australia’s progress to net-zero carbon emissions.
Bay couple emotional at reunion
An Apollo Bay couple have finally reunited after spending the duration of the COVID pandemic on opposite sides of the world.
Apollo Bay loses taxi
Apollo Bay’s taxi service has switched off its meter for the last time, leaving the coastal town without a cab service ahead of summer.
Women’s charity drive restarts
The Rotary Club of Colac West has launched an annual appeal for Christmas donations to families in need.
Lobster catchers hoping for increased local sales
Apollo Bay lobster fishers hope an expected boost in local lobster consumption can boost the industry that remains without its key export market.
Community say on local fire breaks
Consultation is underway for planned new fuel breaks around bushfire-prone Otways communities.
Teacher country’s top tipper
A keen eye, a good slice of luck and blind faith in the Dees earned Elizabeth Grayland the title of Australia’s top footy tipster, winning a competition of 28,000 entrants.
Freedom here as restrictions end for state
Density limits are gone, masks are off almost everywhere and isolation rules ease from today as Victoria locks in its post-COVID normal.
Composting centre planned for district
A leading organic material recycler has received more than $1 million to set up a new facility in Colac Otway.
Surf Coast retains mayor
Surf Coast Shire Council will keep its mayor Libby Stapleton and her deputy Liz Pattison for another year.
Students hone skills in varied workplaces
Colac Specialist School senior students are honing their workplace skills and plotting their first career steps through work experience programs.
BUILDING BOOM: Colac Otway records $124-million construction boost
Colac Otway has ridden a wave of surging building approvals to post huge growth in new construction projects during the past financial year.
