News
Dandos fire starter ordered to pay $500
A Melbourne-based man must donate $500 to the court to support local organisations for lighting a fire on a Total Fire Ban Day in the Otways.
Gardening grows from health scare
Colac’s Mark Rice has experienced a lot of self-growth recently, and gardening might have helped water that seed.
Emergency services busy with weekend incidents
High winds have impacted the district over the weekend, with burn-offs escaping and a storm surge warning issued.
Otways reservoir reaches 15-year low
The West Barwon Reservoir is currently at a level of 16.3 per cent, its lowest level in almost 15 years.
Move to oppose housing
A Colac Otway Shire councillor wants to meet directly with planning, housing and building ministers to express a position of opposition to the proposed social and affordable housing development at Colac’s Pound Road.
Relief a start, more is needed
Corangamite Shire farmers say a new drought relief package is welcome, but not ideal.
Tax is forcing farmer’s hand
A controversial new levy has prompted Barunah Plains farmer and long-serving CFA volunteer Steve Peel to re-evaluate his decades-long commitment to the fire service.
Volunteers rally against levy
“People don’t really understand yet; this is going to affect everyone.”
A controversial new levy will see charges for homes and businesses double, Colac district firefighting volunteers say.