Articles by: Naomi Newcombe
Dairy season opens, prices updated
Dairy processors have continued to raise their milk prices up until the last minute, with the 2025-26 season now underway.
Council seeking new manager of COPACC
Colac Otway Shire Council will seek private operators for the Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre to improve its financial viability. The council endorsed the release of an expression of interest process for the lease of COPACC at the June council meeting. The potential lease will include the auditorium, cinema, meeting rooms, civic hall, […]
Morning fog prompts road safety reminder
Fog lingered across the district on Friday morning, impacting motorists’ sight and prompting a warning from Colac Highway Patrol.
Colac priest is lifting more than local spirits
It wasn’t a personal trainer or a young weightlifter who took out first place in a Colac bench press competition.
Woman dies in Peterborough quad bike rolling
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal quad bike rollover at Peterborough.
Letter seeks disaster declaration
Colac Otway Shire’s mayor Jason Schram will write to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for Victoria to be declared a natural disaster area due to the ongoing drought.
Record capital works
Measures providing temporary financial relief for drought-impacted farmers are a feature of Surf Coast Shire Council’s new budget.
Winter Festival will be in spring
The annual Otways Winter Festival is having a seasonal change with the festival set to now take place in Spring.
Irrewarra subdivision supported
An Irrewarra subdivision has received approval from a Colac Otway Shire Council planning committee, against the recommendation of officers.
Projects boosted with local grants
More than 70 community groups, businesses and event organisers have received boosts to local projects, thanks to Colac Otway Shire Council’s grants program.
Colac Otway’s budget invests in local projects
Footpaths, the Colac Saleyards and a Bluewater electrification project are some of the big winners in the Colac Otway Shire Council’s new budget.
AKD Colac ready to rebound
AKD Colac is running at a lower capacity, but the company is ready to go when confidence in the housing market returns.
Rain increases June totals
Another downpour of rain in the south-west has brought monthly rainfall totals higher than they’ve been in 18 months in some places.
Funding remains for tourism body
Colac Otway Shire Council has backflipped on a decision to reduce its funding for a coastal tourism body.
Colac couple revive historic home
Colac’s Anthony and Katy Bright are looking after a piece of the city’s history, as the new custodians of the former Colac station master’s house.
Long-term plan needed after $3-million Colac Otway Shire deficit
Colac Otway Shire Council has delivered its new budget with a more than $3-million funding shortfall.
Workshop teaching rights in Colac
A mental health advocacy workshop teaching people about their mental health rights is coming to Colac.
Donated hay is set to arrived across district
More than 10 trucks stacked with hay have already made their way to the south-west district to provide much-needed feed relief and there’s plenty more on the way.
State help is a start, calls for full funding
New State Government support for south-west farmers has arrived but a mayor and farmers’ representative say there’s much more that can be done.
Rise in local thefts
Cost-of-living pressures could be behind an increase in crime in Colac Otway, with opportunistic offending on the rise.
Knackery trials fee for dead cattle
South-west farmers must now pay a charge for dead stock removal following regulatory changes, a knackery says.
Council looks at outside operator for facility
Colac Otway Shire Council could test the waters to find a private operator to manage one of its biggest facilities.
Sixteen years of Siren Sunday
Every Sunday morning the Gellibrand River Store fills with laughter, conversation and friendship.
Wye River rebuild following 2015 fire
A proposal to rebuild a house impacted by the 2015 Wye River Christmas Day bushfires has reached Colac Otway Shire Council planning desks.
