Articles by: Billy Higgins
Authority’s bill approved
New Great Ocean Road land management legislation has passed State Parliament with amendments to protect local communities from new fees and charges.
Push for Gellibrand community funding
Revamped community centres, football oval upgrades and a Beechy Rail Trail solution are top of Gellibrand’s wishlist ahead of a meeting with state MP Richard Riordan.
Fundraising auction cancelled again
Gellibrand Community House’s major fundraiser is off for a second straight year.
Jab rule change causes late pub headache
A last-minute State Government backflip has crushed hopes of a Colac pub opening for sit-down service for the first time in two months.
Key tick for point project
Surf Coast Shire Council has agreed to a critical land transfer at Lorne’s Point Grey precinct and will allow the State Government to submit a new planning permit for a $10-million redevelopment of the site.
Boost for kindergarten kids
A host of Colac and district kindergartens have received boosts from a round of state funding.
Confusion clouds travel return as vax targets approach
A Colac travel agent wants more clarity around travel rules as Australia nears its COVID-19 vaccination targets.
COVID causes fireworks plan to fizzle
Lorne’s New Year’s Eve fireworks plans have blown up for the second straight year.
A wet end to September
West Barwon Reservoir has spilled for the second time this year following heavy rain to end September.
Public fix for house shortage
Corangamite Shire Council will build its own housing development at Timboon and seek private investment to build at Simpson as it finalises plans for a multi-million-dollar housing project.
Otways floods after 100mm rain
Rain continued to bucket down at the Otways coast late last week and caused swelling floodwaters.
Winch project a priority, council adopts plan
Winchelsea outdoor recreation projects are among Surf Coast Shire Council’s top priorities for the state and federal governments.
Point Grey vote delayed
Surf Coast Shire Council has narrowly voted to delay a land transfer allowing Lorne’s Point Grey project to proceed, as a battle to save the town’s former Fishermen’s Co-op surges on.
Otways deluge leads to floods
More than 100mm of rain in 24 hours has caused minor flooding on a Lorne river and felled trees across Colac and district.
Australia Day event gone
Surf Coast Shire Council will scrap celebratory events on January 26 from next year and acknowledge it as a day of mourning for First Nations peoples.
Birregurra to tap into Colac water supply
Birregurra’s water supply will soon come from Colac as Barwon Water plans a supply shift as it phases out ageing infrastructure.
Roads authority outlines Otways work
The state Department of Transport says it is continuing maintenance works on key Colac district arterial roads that a driver poll found were among Victoria’s most dangerous.
Car thief awaits sentencing after guilty plea
A man has pleaded guilty to a raft of offences from a wild Colac district crime spree that included the theft of multiple cars and guns.
Seminars tackle erosion scourge
Local advocates and leading experts will present a series of webinars about Great Ocean Road coastal erosion.
Shorter wait for dose two
The Victorian Government will halve the dose interval for Pfizer vaccines to three weeks, to fast-track the state’s surge to 80-per-cent vaccination coverage.
Surf Coast looks at curfews for kitties
Surf Coast Shire Council will consider implementing a 24-hour cat curfew following a community petition.
Flood warning for Otways
Emergency services have issued a flood warning for Otways coast and hinterland regions as forecast heavy rainfall could overflow waterways late this week.
State hits shot milestone
Colac and district’s COVID restrictions have slightly eased today after Victoria reached a first-dose vaccination milestone.
Rail work progress after delays
Colac’s rail line is set to start the second stage of a major upgrade later this year, paving the way for new modern trains on local services.
