Summer 2004 - 2005

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December

We must protect this Great Southern Land!

1 December 2004

A new Coastcare campaign fronted by Iva Davies is calling on people in the Surf Coast area to think about their actions when they hit the coast this summer and remember that if we want to continue to enjoy the coast in the future, we must be careful not to destroy it now. "Don't Destroy What You Came to Enjoy!" says Coastcare Ambassador Iva, as more and more Australians choose to exit the fast lane...story>>

Improving access for all

1 December 2004

Surf Coast Shire has released an access plan which it says will have wide-ranging benefit for all sectors of the community. This includes parents with pushers, grandmas with trolleys or walking frames, the fellow who breaks his leg playing footy or the person delivering goods to businesses. The plan is now on public exhibition as part of the Shire's ongoing campaign to enhance community entrée to all local services and facilities...story>>

Torquay carpark sealed after summer

1 December 2004

Surf Coast Shire will construct the gravel carpark off Bristol Rd in Torquay next year, after the busy summer holiday peak period has passed. Infrastructure manager Sunil Bhalla said that the council had considered constructing the carpark when the adjacent Safeway supermarket car park was constructed, "We felt that delaying work on the gravel area until April 2005 would minimise the inconvenience to the Torquay community," he explained...story>>

Radio National Quiz on the Surf Coast

5 December 2004

This week, ABC personality, Jane Clifton is bringing "The Famous Radio National Quiz" to the Surf Coast. Clifton will record two programs at the Surfworld Museum in Torquay on December 7. The quiz is pre-recorded in front of a live audience and you are invited to come along and be a part of the fun...story>>

Otways National Park Recommendations Released

5 December 2004

The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) has recommended a major new National Park of over 100,000 hectares for the Otways region, the Minister for the Environment, John Thwaites, announced today. Mr Thwaites said VEAC's recommendations from its Angahook-Otway Investigation included a 102,470 hectare Otway Ranges National Park, which would become Victoria's sixth-largest...story>>

Coastcare activities in December 2004

6 December 2004

To celebrate Coastcare week, get along to any of the free activities happening along the coast, and help your local environment - all welcome. NEXT EVENT - Anglesea Coast Action, Saturday 11th December, Time: 10am - Meet us at picturesque Point Roadnight beach and help protect the significant moonah. Light activities - mulching and weeding. Meet outside the Motor Yacht Club at 10am. For more information click here>>

Shire urges planning applicants to fast track decisions

6 December 2004

SURF Coast Shire is urging planning applicants to take up pre-lodgement certification to fast track decisions and reduce delays. Pre-lodgement certification enables a person seeking a planning permit to use an approved planning consultant to certify their application prior to lodging it with the council. It was introduced by the council earlier this year, to streamline decision-making processes and rewards those who submit complete, certified applications...story>>

VEAC releases final recommendations for the Otway

7 December 2004

Message from Otway Ranges Environment Network: The final Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) recommendations for a new expanded Otways National Park were publicly released on Monday 29th November 2004. The final result is excellent! The New Otways National Park will be 102,470 ha. Much cutting and pasting occurred between the draft proposals released in May and the final result...story>>

Colac Skate N' Rage To Celebrate Youth

13 December 2004

Celebrate youth and the end of the school year at the Colac Skate N' Rage being held at Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre and Colac Skate Park on Friday, December 17. Colac Otway Shire's Youth Council and FReeZA Committee in conjunction with Colac Skate Committee and local breakdancing groups have organised Skate N' Rage for secondary students from across the Shire, including those from Lavers Hill and Apollo Bay...story>>

New Look For Fitness Centre

13 December 2004

The Bluewater Fitness Centre has a new look gym and a new look staff with Tristan Reid and Jayne Gatty joining Ross Dixon in leading the team as part of an ongoing process to improve the operation of the Centre's services and facilities. Tristan will assume the role of Aquatic Coordinator, overseeing the programming of the Centre's pool and water based programs...story>>

Lorne SBS Blackspot Fixed After Christmas

13 December 2004

The installation of new retransmission equipment to improve reception of television channel SBS in Lorne will now be completed after Christmas. Specialist equipment needed for the work did not arrive in Australia in time and the work has been rescheduled to begin in the week of 10 January 2005. Project manager Bernie Ryan apologised for the delay...story>>

StreetLife Project to Benefit Business

13 December 2004

The Colac Otway Shire, in partnership with Otways Tourism and the Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce have been successful in obtaining $40,000 matched funding from the Victorian Government StreetLife program over a 2 year period to implement initiatives that benefit business and increase visitation in the region...story>>

Locals make mulch of pest plant

13 December 2004

Over 30 cubic metres of Coast Tea-tree has been removed by Moggs Creek residents during an environmental weed removal program. The Surf Coast Shire, together with the Friends of Moggs Creek, trialed a program in November 2004 to reduce the abundance and spread of Coast Tea-tree (Leptospermum laevigatum), in the township. It was one of several projects being implemented across the Shire as part of the 2004/2005-pest plant and animal program...story>>

Fossil Safaris, Marine Park Snorkelling, Rockpool Rambles and more …

14 December 2004

Have fun in the sun this summer - for free! Join in the 'Summer by the Sea' beach activities at more than 70 locations along Victoria's coastline over January and be inspired by what our coastal and marine environments have to offer. The program runs from Saturday 1 January to Saturday 22 January 2005, and is organised by Coast Action/ Coastcare Officers from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)...story>>

Buy a Christmas Gift that keeps giving

14 December 2004

A growing number of Australians are using their festive spending to create a greater impact in the community as well as spreading Christmas cheer among family and friends. While billions of dollars will be spent on Christmas goodies from Barbies and X-boxes to perfume and books over coming weeks, there is greater interest from consumers on ensuring their spending also provides a social dividend...story>>

Holidays Tough Times for Job Seekers

14 December 2004

'Tis the season to be jolly, but for job seekers, the holiday period is often a difficult time when employment opportunities and disposable incomes can both be in short supply. According to John Turner, Account Director at career and leadership consultants, Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH), many people who are out of work can become very depressed and unmotivated over the holiday period. But December and January often presented golden opportunities for job seekers and he urged people to "stay in the hunt" by stepping up their networking program in the holiday season. (See networking statistics below)...story>>

Hardings Hardware Anglesea Pro Am 2004 - Sponsor Packages - Closing this Wednesday

14 December 2004

Sponsorship Packages for the $15,000 Hardings Hardware Anglesea Pro Am are being finalised in order to arrange programs and signage for the big day. The fields are almost full so to secure your spot, what better way to participate than through your business or organisation. The sponsorship packages start from $660 incl GST and can be tailored to suit your individual needs...story>>

Tamworth On Tour in Colac

18 December 2004

Starring some of Country Music's best entertainers and Golden Guitar winners from the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Tamworth on Tour will be performing at Colac Otway Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, February 20 at 8pm.

Tamworth on Tour will take the audience on a journey to Tamworth with a theatrical extravaganza of footage, interviews, and behind the scenes drama and excitement from the 2005 Tamworth Country Music Festival...story>>

Builders Help To Prevent Stormwater Pollution

18 December 2004

Nine local builders have achieved their Green Smart accreditation vowing to "Do It Right On Site" and prevent stormwater pollution. The Green Smart program encourages better work practices, design and pollution control amongst builders aligning with the aims of Colac Otway Shire's storm water improvement program. The program is jointly funded by the Shire and the State Government of Victoria through the EPA as part of the...story>>

Council Acts Swiftly On Top Priorities

18 December 2004

Colac Otway Shire's new Council has acted swiftly to tackle some of the Shire's most pressing priorities at its Ordinary Council meeting yesterday. Council allocated an additional eighty thousand to undertake additional road sealing works across the Shire. This is in addition to the $647,000 already budgeted for bituminous sealing works in the Shire representing a 12% increase on this aspect of road expenditure. A total of 84 roads will be re-sealed under the program. A further thirty thousand is being put towards the development of a litter trap...story>>

Work Continues On Old Beechy Rail Trail

18 December 2004

Work continues on the Beechy Rail Trail from Colac to Crowes at the top of the Otway Ranges.The former railway line is being upgraded for easier access via funding from the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Colac Otway Shire and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Regional Development. The 47 kilometre walk is being developed in sections and will ultimately have directional signage and historic information boards along the route. Construction of several sections has been undertaken in the last 12 months...story>>

Help Keep the Surf Coast Glass Free this Summer

21 December 2004

SURF Coast revellers are urged to avoid using glass across the busy festive period in a renewed push to reduce injuries and promote community safety in the Surf Coast Shire.

Police, hoteliers, restaurateurs and medical personnel will join the Shire to advance the Keep Surf Coast Glass Free message which will take place between Christmas Day and January 2...story>>

Funding Available For Community War Memorials

21 December 2004

Funding of up to $7000 is available to community groups and ex-service organisations to restore and repair local war memorials and honour rolls under the State Government's Restoring Community Memorials Grants Program.

Projects that will increase community understanding and interest in a memorial will be favoured...story>>

Mayors urge caution on roads during peak summer period

23 December 2004

In the lead up to the summer holidays, the Mayors of the Surf Coast Shire and the City of Greater Geelong, together with Victoria Police and RoadSafe Barwon are urging all road users within the region to take care and continue a trend which has seen a decrease in injury collisions during 2004, and more significantly, fewer fatalities for some years...story>>

Inviting public submissions on Split Point Lighthouse tour

23 December 2004

Surf Coast Shire is inviting community response to a proposal to provide public access to the Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet.

The Council is considering an option to licence the facility from the Crown and allow a tourist operator to conduct tours under a sub-licensing arrangement...story>>

Anglesea Skatepark ready for summer action

24 December 2004

Anglesea young people now have a new youth space, with the completion of a state-of-the-art skate park just before Christmas.

Located next to the Lions Park and Anglesea River, the skate park includes a half-pipe and street skate area with grind rail. It is within easy walking distance to shops, public toilets and other community facilities...story>>

All Aboard the Lorne Shuttle

24 December 2004

Surf Coast Tourism will again operate the popular Lorne Shuttle service over the busy Christmas period. The Lorne Shuttle is a FREE bus service that offers a better way to get around Lorne this summer. Whether you're heading to the beach, the shops or the pier, the Lorne Shuttle will take you there. The service will run every half hour between 11 designated stops from Foodway Supermarket to the Lorne Pier...story>>

Hardings Anglesea Pro Am 2004

29 December 2004

The kangaroos will be up early this morning as the first golfers tee off at this years Anglesea Pro Am. In fact they will have a pretty busy day of it, ducking and weaving some 240 golfers and their balls as they shoot for the $15,000 purse. Shotgun starts at 7.30am and then again at 1.00pm. The Anglesea Pro Am is a mix event of professional, celebrity and amateur players...story>>

Spirit of India 2005 - Kathak Classical Dance

A dance performance by Manjari Chaturvedi whose repertoire includes an extended range of Kathak incorporating diverse music forms such as quawil. Kathak originally a temple dance is now a popular north Indian classical dance. This dance has the vigour of Flamenco combined with the grace and lyricism of Indian classical dance. Bookings essential: T. 5229 3645 Book in advance at the Geelong Gallery or by telephone. Tickets: Adult $20, Gallery Members/Concession $15, Student $10. For more arts news...Latest Arts

The Beach Gigs at Torquay and Aireys Inlet

29 December 2004

The 4th annual summer 'Beach Gigs' will be held at:
- Torquay front beach on Wed 5 Jan and
- Aireys Inlet foreshore on Thurs 6 Jan.
This successful event allows both locals and holiday makers to enjoy the space and atmosphere of our beautiful coastline as well as experience a showcase of prominent and much loved local bands...story>>