Articles by: Billy Higgins
Stranded overseas: Pandemic divides Apollo Bay couple
Apollo Bay woman Priscilla Fadier is pleading with the Federal Government to bring her partner back to Australia, after strict border controls have separated the couple for 18 months.
State’s shipwreck search
Otways commercial fishers will play an important role in preserving Victoria’s underwater history following the launch of a shipwreck heritage program. Heritage Victoria has partnered with the seafood industry on the Shipwreck Discovery Plan, aimed at encouraging fishers to report potential shipwreck sites they encounter during fishing expeditions. Treacherous waters off the Otways coast, especially […]
Gas drilling proposals progress
Public submissions have closed for the Victorian Government’s new petroleum regulations, which include plans to drill for gas within a few kilometres of the Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell.
Giant history project steps forward
A Cororooke history project featuring a life-size megafauna exhibit is a step closer after the project secured State Government funding.
Vax spots open to all
The state health department has no plans to limit who can access COVID-19 vaccine appointments in Colac and said it is encouraging Victorians to get jabbed wherever they can.
Recycled plastics feature in new tourist trail
Work has continued on the Twelve Apostles Trail during winter, with major construction to resume as the ground dries up.
Recycling initiative grows
Colac district councils are promoting a new recycling initiative that highlights local businesses committed to eco-friendly products.
Students to take a shot on vaccines
Colac Secondary College expects to begin vaccinating Year 12 students against COVID-19 from next week as the State Government launches a priority jab drive.
Sunshine after a dry month
Colac and district bathed in sunshine and warmer temperatures this week to mark the start of spring, following a drier-than-average August.
Business uncertainty grows with restriction extension
Colac and district businesses are reeling after the State Government’s restrictions roadmap failed to offer clarity about their short-term futures.
Corangamite seeks views on future services
Corangamite Shire residents can help shape their council’s key service strategies.
Restrictions remain until next week
Premier Daniel Andrews says he expects Colac and district's lockdown to end next week, timeframes and specific rules of new restrictions remain unclear.
Call to free Colac from lockdown
Colac’s state MP Richard Riordan has demanded Colac and district be freed from lockdown, as the State Government prepares a roadmap out of COVID restrictions.
Rental firm urges caution
A holiday rental provider has rebuked a community suggestion to offer discounted rates for landlords who offer their homes up as long-term rentals, as Colac Otway Shire Council considers long-term fixes to a key worker housing crisis.
Wirr-away she goes: Success for plane salvagers
Professional salvage diver Rod Knights and a dedicated team of volunteer aviation buffs lifted the fuselage of a CAC Wirraway aircraft to shore on the weekend, after the plane had laid in Lake Corangamite since crashing there in 1950.
Progress on coastal upgrades
A host of key Great Ocean Road infrastructure projects remain in planning with major construction still months away.
Council finally passes governance rules
Surf Coast Shire Council has finally signed off on a new set of governance rules, but not before a last hurrah to have the contentious policy changed at the last minute.
New land plan to tackle housing shortage
Corangamite Shire Council has adopted a new strategy to address a critical housing supply shortage for its largest towns.
Traders face grant headaches
Local organisations have leapt to the aid of Colac businesses that fell through the cracks of State Government pandemic relief because of accounting errors.
Corangamite Shire meeting news
A wrap-up of Corangamite Shire Council's meeting last week, including more business support, hesitancy around a climate commitment and an animal business approved.
COVID blow to online concerts
Colac and district performing artists have suffered another blow, with their live-streamed events banned in the current COVID restrictions. Live performers like musicians are not allowed to visit venues to perform COVID-safe shows for at-home audiences as they have during previous lockdowns, after a quiet rule change that came to light last week. State Government […]
Pressure on the state to fix stadium’s floor
Winchelsea Leisure Time Centre still has no reopening timeline while advocates wait on engineering reports, and Surf Coast Shire Council is set to reconsider its role in managing the facility.
New town plan for Winchelsea
A new Winchelsea town centre strategy, electric vehicle charging points and a social housing policy all received green lights at Surf Coast Shire Council’s August meeting.
Cressy on Libs’ powerline route
A highly contentious electricity transmission line project would shift south and travel near Cressy under a new proposal from the State Opposition. The Victorian Liberal Nationals this week revealed a plan to reroute the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project via Mortlake and Lara, using existing powerline infrastructure to send power from the state’s west to […]
