Apollo Bay, what's happening in paradise!

By-election for Colac Otway Shire Council
A by-election for Colac Otway Shire Council's Otway Ward will be held in mid-March 2008, according to the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC). The by-election is being held following the removal of Colac Otway Shire Councillor Stuart Hart from Council earlier this month.
Residents living in Otway Ward who have recently turned 18 or need to update their enrolment information should fill out an enrolment form and return it to the VEC no later than 4.00pm Friday, 18 January 2008.
Enrolment forms are available at any post office, Colac supermarkets, or online at the VEC website, www.vec.vic.gov.au
There is also special enrolment categories for occupiers who pay rates, company nominees and non-Australian citizens who pay rates and want to vote. For further details, contact the Colac Otway Shire council offices on 5232 9461.
For more information on enrolment, or to check you are on the State and Federal voters roll, phone the VEC on 13 18 32, orvisitwww.vec.vic.gov.au People can also check their enrolment details during business hours at the locations advertised.
Australia Day Celebrations in Apollo Bay
On Saturday, January 26 join fellow Australians for an Australia Day Celebration Breakfast at the Apollo Bay foreshore near the Surf Life Saving Club. The community breakfast begins at 8.30am and the Mayor, Chris Smith will open the ceremony at 9.30am.
This year's Australia Day Ambassador to Apollo Bay is research scientist Vasso Apostolopoulos, associate professor and head of the immunology and vaccine laboratory at Melbourne's Austin Research Institute. The ceremony will also announce the Shire's community awards for outstanding citizens and be followed by musical entertainment until 11.30am.

January 2008 Council Meetings
The January Planning Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at COPACC commencing at 10.30am. This is a week later than previously advertised. The January Ordinary Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at COPACC. The meeting opens at 3pm with Question Time. Questions about items not listed on the agenda must be submitted in writing by 5pm on the Monday prior to the scheduled meeting. Agendas for both Ordinary Council Meetings and Planning Committee Meetings are available from Customer Service Centres in Colac and Apollo Bay on the Monday prior to each meeting or via the website.
Weed Management Across the Shire
Colac Otway Shire is set to tackle weeds on Council owned and managed land, developing weed management packages for specific areas of the Shire, including the coast, Otway Ranges and plains, Colac and Volcanic Plains, Small Towns and Ragwort. Council is currently preparing to carry out the works which will build on works carried out in 2006 and 2007. Colac Otway Shire Manager for Environment and Community Safety, Stewart Anderson, said it was important to understand that weed control was not simply a one-year program. "For it to be effective there needs to be an ongoing commitment over several years," Mr Anderson said. "Control and eventual eradication of both noxious and environmental weeds will help protect biodiversity and increase agricultural productivity." Mr Anderson said the weed management packages provided a systematic approach for managing weeds. For further information, contact Council on 52329512.
Marina Project Complete A $1.6M upgrade of the marina at Apollo Bay Harbour is complete. The new 28 berth marina is now ready for use by boat owners and visitors to the harbour. The project, jointly funded by the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Regional Development Victoria, included the demolition of the existing timber marina and the installation of a new marina consisting of floating pontoons, access ramps and fixed platforms. Colac Otway Shire General Manager Infrastructure Gary Dolan said the project would benefit commercial and recreational boat mooring conditions at the harbour. "The marina is not only important to these vessels and their users, the replacement of the marina is important to the economic sustainability of the area," Mr Dolan said. "The project was completed ahead of schedule which is a fantastic outcome and provides the opportunity for people to use the new facility over the Christmas and New Year holidays."

New Mayor For Colac Otway Shire
Colac Otway Shire has a new Mayor. Cr Chris Smith was elected Mayor at the Statutory meeting at COPACC last night (December 19) making him the Council's only first term Mayor and the youngest of the seven Mayors who have served on Council since amalgamation in 1994.
Cr Smith, who joined Council in 2004, is a farmer based in Swan Marsh and a Pastor at the South West Family Church in Colac. He is married to wife Maree and has three children: Joshua, Timothy and Jessica. Cr Smith said he would serve the community and visitors to the Shire to the best of his ability, working with openness, honesty and integrity. "I stood for Council with the motto "let's enjoy the present, build on the past and prepare for the future." "Council has worked hard over the last three years to improve the Shire; hard decisions have been made and there are more to come. "I hope to build on what we have already achieved, and work towards an even more positive future for our Shire."
Cr Smith, who has been an adult mentor for Youth Council for the past three years, said he also wanted to "champion" the role of young people and volunteerism in the community.