News
Take a leaf from Forrest’s shed
A special visit from international researchers has looked at Men’s Sheds at Forrest and Lorne, with hopes to implement the learnings overseas.
Letters to the editor
Questionable change to rules Our council has disregarded public submissions calling for the retention of question time at unscheduled meetings. Council has not explained the purpose or benefit of removing question time, other than suggesting that unscheduled meetings are a “rare” event. In fact, there have been six unscheduled meetings since August 2024, dealing with […]
Lake loop could cost $46.1 million
A 30.5-kilometre shared walking and cycling path around Lake Colac could cost between $29.5 and $46.1 million, depending on the route it takes around the eastern side of the lake.
More time for bike thief
An opportunistic thief who stole a bike in Colac must serve an extra month in prison on top of his 12-month sentence.
Mock wedding is a hoot
A nonagenarian “flower girl” and an exploding cake were among the highlights at hilarious fake nuptials in Colac.
Repair rural roads instead of dropping limits, council says
A local council and an MP have slammed a proposal to reduce the default speed limit in regional areas.
Colac store named best in the country
Colac’s Blooms The Chemist has been recognised as the best of the best, taking out the retail pharmacy group’s Store of the Year.
Council looking at Lorne housing
Surf Coast Shire Council has given its stamp of approval to a plan investigating affordable housing options at Lorne to ease the ongoing housing challenge for key workers in the coastal town.
Nominate citizens for annual honours
The search is on for everyday heroes who make Colac Otway thrive, with nominations now open for the 2026 Colac Otway Shire Community Awards.
Youth rock at COPACC
Colac Otway young people have relished the opportunity to organise and perform in the 2025 Youth Music Showcase.
Fun outing for town and farm
Thrilling rides, riotous wrestling, mad motorsport action and hundreds of colourful creations have wowed the crowd at this year’s Colac Show.
Great gig at picnic
Students and staff at Colac Secondary College have celebrated the end of Mental Health Month with a vibrant music gig and picnic.
Kindness Lounge coming to Colac amid more need
A $20,000 boost for the Colac Kindness Network will help the charity open a new space to continue providing support for community members who are doing it tough.
Farms support road fix
A community petition with more than 160 names has called for a full re-sheeting of an important rural road.
Parks’ warning after court case
Parks Victoria says farmers need to do their homework before breaking ground near parks or reserves, after a Jancourt farm faced court late last month. Jancourt Farms Pty Ltd was convicted and fined $10,000 and ordered to pay costs in the amount of $5000. Magistrate Franz Holzer also granted the restoration order under the Flora […]
Authorities look at bird breaches
Two illegal incidents involving emus in south-west Victoria are currently under investigation.
A tough month for Timboon business
A flood, then a fallen tree – what’s next?
Surf Coast to have second countback
Surf Coast Shire Council will continue searching for a new councillor, after the successful candidate this week failed to formally accept the position following a countback.
Chris loses locks again for cause
Irrewillipe’s Chris Duve has done it again.
E-bike rider hospitalised
A man has been hospitalised following an e-bike crash at a Colac roundabout.
Council backpays workers
Colac Otway Shire Council will backpay past and present employees over an error that stretched for at least a seven-year period. But the cost of the total repayment remains undisclosed. The council issued a statement on Friday indicating it had recently finished a payroll remediation process. It came after the council identified a historic payroll […]
Police listening to local issues
A neighbourhood policing forum in Colac this week will discuss crime in the region, with community members and local services invited to come and have their say. Victoria Police is hosting the forums across the state, and representatives from the Surf Coast Police Service Area will converge on the Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural […]
Kids on the move across November
Colac and district kindergarteners will be putting their best feet forward all this month.
Grant hopes for city bike park
Colac’s proposed bike park could cost upwards of half a million dollars, with the council hoping the State Government will help cover most of the price tag.
