Articles by: Naomi Newcombe

CALLING IN AT CAMPERDOWN: Drought taskforce meets

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has seen first-hand the impacts of drought in the south-west while meeting with her newly assembled drought taskforce.

Milk suppliers need stronger price

Dairy farmers and farming groups have expressed their disappointment with the opening milk prices for the 2025-26 season. But multiple processors have already responded by lifting their prices in recent days.

Colac ice plunge freezes agents

Colac’s Leanne Witcombe, Jake Theodore and Troy Kincaid have braved chilly temperatures aby taking part in the ice bucket challenge to raise money for motor neurone disease.

Colac bike rider fined

A Colac man will pay a $500 fine after being caught riding a stolen bike.

Upcoming Carlisle road closure

Colac district motorists are being advised of a road closure on the Carlisle-Colac Road, with a temporary bridge to be installed later this month.

Coastal requests in council budget

Improvements in Apollo Bay, additional funding for a coastal tourism body and funding for a study into a path on the Great Ocean Road are some of items Colac Otway residents want added to the council’s 2025-26 budget.

Colac Otway called to address period poverty

A women’s charity is calling on municipalities including Colac Otway Shire to take action on period poverty, following a nationwide survey.

Bulla raises milk price after farmer feedback

Colac-based dairy processor Bulla has taken on farmer feedback and increased its farmgate milk price less than a week after declaring its season opening price.

Bay celebrates hub ownership

More than 80 people from Apollo Bay have celebrated a historic double milestone with the town’s former kinder transferred to the community.

Council seeking balance on social housing development

Colac Otway Shire Council will request a state housing body to take a more balanced approach to social and affordable housing delivery across the city.

Colac Otway councillor heading to Canberra forum

Colac Otway Shire Council will send one councillor and its interim chief to a national local government forum in Canberra this month.

Telstra awaits part to restore service

Telecommunication authorities were waiting for a piece of equipment to restore 4G service in the city when the Colac Herald went to print yesterday.

Colac highway police issue long weekend warning

Colac Highway Patrol is urging drivers to take extra care on the road this King’s Birthday long weekend with the arrival of winter, foggy conditions and increased traffic.

Grant boosts Barongarook creek restoration

More than 10,000 new plants and a score of native nesting boxes will help transform Barongarook Creek into a thriving natural and community asset.

Green light for wetlands

A $5.51-million project improving the quality of the stormwater in Elliminyt, unlocking residential land and creating public open space will soon get underway, with Colac Otway Shire Council recently awarding a contract to deliver the project.

Prices impacted by domestic outlook

Dairy processors have declared opening prices for the 2025-26 season, but are blaming changing consumer behaviour and the rising cost of living for the lower-than-hoped prices.

Recruitment starts for new executive

Colac Otway Shire Council is on the hunt for a new chief executive.

Council receives plans for houses, subdivision, sauna

Colac Otway Shire Council has received proposals for an Apollo Bay sauna, an Elliminyt subdivision and a range of houses across the district.

Women’s healthcare survey closes Friday

Colac women and gender diverse people have a few days left to share their feedback on a region-first sexual and reproductive healthcare survey.

Fire bunker and house proposed at Kennett

Plans for a two-storey house in a bushfire prone area along the Great Ocean Road also include a proposal for a fire safety bunker.

June 2, 2025 Naomi Newcombe

Hopes for milk price increase

Dairy processor Fonterra is the first to declare its opening milk price for the 2025-26 season, an increase from its current season price. But district farmers are still hoping for a higher price amid climbing production costs.

June 2, 2025 Naomi Newcombe

Photos connect generations

Photographs of Mavis Ough’s time living and teaching at a Northern Territory school almost 50 years ago have brought a smile to the faces of the community.