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Apollo
Bay, what's happening in paradise!
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Edition
20-29 17/5/07 -
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 Music
Festival Community
News Landcare
Health
Letters |
Apollo
Bay Home | Great
Ocean Road Home |
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Feasibility
launches with a sizzle
Your Community Bank® began the next phase of
its campaign with the launch at the Market on
Saturday of its Feasibility Study, an essential
tool in
determining the viability of Apollo Bay's own
Community Bank®.
The launch featured a sausage sizzle, the proceeds
of which will be your Community Bank's® first
donation to a local organization, the first of many
to
come said Allen Hokin, chair of the Steering
Committee.
"Some Branches" he stated "are distributing
many
thousands of dollars back into their communities,
and we hope it wont be long before we are doing
the same.
"It is critical that every person, whether
they are
supporters or not, completes their survey form and
mails it off as soon as possible. Please don't put
it
aside where it could be forgotten." he said.
The Steering Committee has received more than
$600,000 in pledges from more than 300 pledgees
to capitalise the Branch, a wonderful response from
a wonderful community, and now needs to
determine the level of banking business local
people are prepared to bring across to a
Community Bank® in Apollo Bay.
The confidential survey is being conducted by an
independent consultant who will be interviewing
locals in Apollo Bay on Monday 28 May together
with a representative of the Bendigo Bank.
If you have not received your survey, you can
collect one from the News Sheet stand at the
newsagency.
In the meantime, the committee is still accepting
pledges of support. |
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FORUM
Next meeting Sunday 20th May at 3pm
Marrar Woorn, Pengilley Avenue
All Welcome Otway Forum Website
The Otway Forum now has a website. Visit:
www.forum.apoliobay.org.au and check it
out. It is part of www.apollobay.org.au
that was set up for the Apollo Bay Show
and has links to other Community Organisations.
The intention is to use the web site to
keep the community informed of developments
in Apollo Bay.
Electoral Representation in Colac Otway
Shire
The community should be aware that the Victorian
Electoral Commission is undertaking a review
of electoral arrangements in the Shire.
This includes the number of Councillors,
whether or not there should be wards, and,
if so, what the ward boundaries should be.
The public are invited to make submissions
by Tuesday 5th June, 2007. There will be
an information session on Monday 21 May
at 6.00pm in the Senior Citizens centre.
The matter will also be discussed at the
Otway Forum meeting on Sunday May 20th at
3.00pm at Marrar Woorn Community Centre.
It is vital that the community takes an
interest in this very important matter.
John Spencer for Otway Forum.
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apollobay.com
would like to acknowledge
with thanks the content supplied by
the APOLLO BAY NEWS SHEET.
If you would like to have an article
or advertisement printed in the
Apollo Bay News Sheet please email
it to ApolloNS@bigpond.net.au
by
5PM on Tuesday (printed weekly) |
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Southern Otway Landcare
Network 'Landtalk' |
Indigenous
Plants and Wildlife of the Southern
Otwavs Region: A Field Guide
Many of you will already have a copy
of our fantastic Flora and Fauna brochures
and we trust that you are putting
them to good use out bush, on the
farm and in the garden. These field
guides are a shining example of what
our community can achieve when we
share our knowledge and experience
of the Otways environment. Each brochure
describes approximately 100 local
species and includes a map illustrating
the Ecological Vegetation Classes
for the Southern Otway Region. The
brochures are an important tool for
environmental education in the Otways
and are proving invaluable for local
landholders, visitors to the area,
community groups and schools. So for
those that have not yet got themselves
a copy they are available from the
SOLN office for $4.00 and are also
stocked at the Apollo Bay Information
Centre. 100% of sales will go toward
funding future print runs and Landcare
community environmental education
initiatives.
Expressions of Interest SOLN Contractor
List 2007
SOLN provides all landholders undertaking
Landcare projects with a list of contractors
for a variety of project needs. We
are currently updating our contractor
list, if you provide fencing, earthworks,
slashing, spraying, planting, seedling
supply or pest management please consider
having your business added to our
list. Contact the SOLN office for
application details, applications
close at the end of the month.
Book Review
"Bringing Back the Bush: The
Bradley Method of Bush Regeneration"
By Joan Bradley. The Bradley sisters
lived in the Sydney suburb of Mosman
and were the originators of bush regeneration
worldwide. The method they developed
became known as the "Bradley
method" - it is a deceptively
simple and adaptable approach to bush
regeneration that is based on helping
the bush to help itself. Its benefits
are long lasting and it works for
both small and large areas. Bringing
Back the Bush outlines the basic principles
and rules that underscore the Bradley
method, and it provides practical
techniques required to put them into
practice. This and many other great
books and references our available
from the SOLN Library. If you have
aspirations to make a contribution
to improving habitat and conservation
in
our area, talk to Landcare! Greg John,
Kristen Lees, Dianne Inglis (PH) 5237
6904,
69-71 Nelson St. Apollo Bay. Office
hours 9am-1pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays
and Fridays until further notice
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Multi-Year Infrastructure
Program Developed For Apollo Bay
Colac Otway Shire has developed a multi-year
infrastructure development program for Apollo
Bay. The program identifies works such as
road construction, drainage, intersection,
carparking, economic development, road safety
and amenity
improvements. The specific program for Apollo
Bay will be
implemented through Council's Capital Works
Program. A number of projects will be considered
for the
2007/2008 program including the treatment
of
intersections along Pascoe Street, improvements
to
onstreet parking, consideration to bus drop-off
accessibility in Moore Street and safety
improvements
to a pedestrian crossing point in Hardy
Street.
Colac Otway Shire CEO Tracey Slatter said
Council
had invested in infrastructure in Apollo
Bay over the
last decade but was still playing catch
up.
"From an historical perspective coastal
townships have
traditionally lagged in development of infrastructure
to
meet the needs of changing community expectations,"
Ms Slatter said. "With this in mind,
we have held workshops with various stakeholder
groups and the community via the
Apollo Bay market to gain feedback on areas
for
improvement. "As a result, a multi-year
program infrastructure
program has been developed to address a
range of
infrastructure issues specific to Apollo
Bay.
"These projects are not currently addressed
as part of
the existing Capital works Program process.
Ms Slatter said Council welcomed ongoing
input to the
program from the community. Public Forums
- Strategic Resource Plan and 2007/08 Draft
Budget A forum will be held in Colac and
Apollo Bay to discuss Colac Otway Shire's
future financial direction as contained
in the Strategic Resource Plan. The forum
will also discuss how this Plan will form
the
basis for the preparation of the 2007/2008
Draft
Budget. Apollo Bay 7pm, Monday, May 21 Apollo
Bay Senior Citizens Centre Colac 7pm, Thursday,
May 24 COPACC Meeting Room Please note:
The Victorian Electoral Commission will
be holding Electoral Representation Review
meetings
from 6pm-7pm, prior to these forums. Tracey
Slatter
Chief Executive Officer www.colacotway.vic.gov.au
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Unique road event to boost local
health services
A major national motoring event to be
held in the Great Ocean Road region
in November this year will deliver a
significant boost to local health services
in both the Surf Coast and Colac Otway
Shires and will inject considerable
funds into local economies. The Great
Ocean Road Escape will be staged from
8-11 November 2007 and will bring up
to 150 rare and exotic Porsche sports
cars spanning 55 years and collectively
worth around $20 million to the region
from around Australian and overseas.
The impetus for the event came from
the Lome Community Hospital, acting
on the recommendation of an independent
marketing report that identified a motoring
event involving the Great Ocean Road
as a prime means of raising much-needed
funds to support the Hospital's on-going
role in meeting local health and aged
care needs, including the Urgent Care
services which provide for an ever-increasing
population of visitors to the road.
Through their entry, Porsche Great Ocean
Road Escape participants will contribute
$100 per car towards the Hospital's
appeal; Holden will open its normally-restricted
Proving Ground at Lang Lang specially
for participants and the Linfox organisation
is making its motor-industry-only Australian
Automotive Research Centre at Anglesea
available - all in support of the event
and the Lome Hospital's fund-raising
needs.
The Great Ocean Road Escape has been
more than 18 months in the planning
in close consultation with local Shires,
VicRoads and the Police. It will be
a highlight of this year's 75th anniversary
celebrations of the Great Ocean Road's
opening in 1932 and is endorsed by Geelong
Otway Tourism and Great Ocean Road Marketing
and supported by a number of major corporate
organisations. The Great Ocean Road
Escape will commence in Melbourne, with
entrants travelling along some of Victoria's
premier tourist roads to Lome, via the
Great Ocean Road from Torquay.
With Lome as its hub, participants will
then tour the Great Ocean Road and its
hinterland as they travel between activities
over the next three days. All competitive
driving tests will take place on closed
venues, including Holden's Lang Lang
Proving Ground, saleyards at Camperdown
and Colac and Anglesea's Australian
Automotive Research Centre. Many of
these events will be open to spectators,
making the 'Escape' a major spectacle
for local residents and visitors to
the region. A signature activity will
be the average speed and driving skill
tests conducted on two sections of the
Great Ocean Road between Lome and Wye
River and Kennett River and Carisbrook
Creek, with the road closed on two occasions
for this activity in the interest of
traffic management. The closures have
been scheduled outside peak traffic
periods on the Friday morning and Saturday
afternoon and will be for a minimal
time, while the maximum permitted speed
by participants will be the current
posted road speed limit of 80km/h. The
Great Ocean Road Escape will be run
by an experienced team of motoring professionals
and will be conducted under the rules
and auspices of the Confederation of
Australian Motor Sport. In another initiative
associated with the 'Escape', the Hospital
will launch a major fund-raising raffle
with 10 valuable prizes collectively
worth nearly $120,000. The main prize
will be a new Porsche Boxster roadster,
supplied by Porsche Cars Australia,
with only 4000 tickets costing $50 each
being offered for sale. The Chief Executive
Officer of the Lome Community Hospital,
Janelle Bryce, said the Great Ocean
Road Escape would bring additional social,
economic and
health service benefits to the coastal
and inland
communities it passes through with minimum
inconvenience to residents, businesses
and visitors.
"This is an activity
that has been initiated by the
Hospital from the outset in line with
our aim to
promote better health, and safer driving,"
she said. "It
will also be an exciting new event for
the Great Ocean
Road that will add to the celebration
of its 75th
anniversary in 2007." For further
information, please contact the event
organiser: Michael Browning,
Great Ocean Road Rally Pty Ltd
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Well Well
The Well Weekend organised by the Apollo
Bay Otway Rotary Club was an outstanding
success and attracted a large number of
local people as well as interested visitors.
Commencing on Friday night with the outstandind
Dr. Craig Hasseed of Monash University teaching
staff (he helps to train GP's), the theme
of the weekend was wellness using diet and
meditation. Many who were strangers to the
art of meditation easily learned the basics
from the very laid back lecture. Saturday
morning saw the many children who attended
with their parents (Dads as well as Mums)
being taught preliminary meditation. Yes
they did keep still and quiet and started
to learn the magic. A rowdy and riotous
laughter session followed with everybody
dressed up in the play gear provided. It
sounded like an invasion of Kookaburras
and the kids loved it. So too did the adults.
There was a more restrained atmosphere after
lunch as Mrs Dorothy Edgelow, author of
many books and the Founder of the Childrens
Whole Health Foundation, spoke of the importance
of diet in rearing healthy children. Some
very interesting life stories were discussed
to illustrate the power of proper food and
there were pragmatic hints about how to
win in the fight against obesity and the
fast food problems of modern living.
The pace quickened as Ray Reardon, very
fortunately surviving a road accident en
route, arrived to explain his unbelievably
easy and wonderfully effective method of
meditation. Ray, who hails from Deakin University,
has skills that have been refined over the
years until we have, perhaps, the perfect
method of magic meditation.
It was time then for Megan Keeny on flute
with Tibetan overlay and Michael Johnson
on harp to charm the audience with, first,
a musical meditation and then a wonderfully
relaxing concert with music ranging from
Greensleaves to new original works. Sunday
saw the conclusion of a very enjoyable weekend
with a yoga workshop conducted by Peter
Day, followed by a walk on the fabulous
Parks Victoria Great Ocean Walk.
The Surf Club, with its wonderful views
and close proximity to the sea, was an ideal
location and the ladies of Apollo Bay Otway
Rotary provided home made fruit cake and
slices (with the recipes available in the
world famous Gawler Foundation cookbooks
on sale at the well stocked stall).
After such a successful weekend plans are
being made by well known local Massage therapists
Marianne Rieve and Bryan O'Neill, with the
assistance of local Rotarians to arrange
a similar function later this year. More
meditation magic and its all free. | K.
Harrop, Apollo Bay
THE ROTARY CLUB OF APOLLO BAY OTWAYS
"SERVICE ABOVE SELF" HEALTH &
WELLNESS WEEKEND
The Rotary Club wishes to thank everyone
who contributed to making our special Wellness
Weekend for the community such a great success.
The community was invited to attend a series
of free workshops on health and wellness
presented by some of Australia's top doctors
and clinicians. Everyone who attended gave
excellent feedback and went away feeling
they had been empowered to better their
lives.
Many thanks to Lou at Lou's Restaurant,
Marie at The Bay Leaf Cafe, Charles &
Merrilyn at the Apollo Bay Hotel, Kim &
John at Otway Studios, Scott Felstead for
artwork, Melissa Lim for her help with flyers,
the Lavers Hill P12 College (especially
Helen Davis and her students who designed
the front cover of The Otway Light), C J
Keane Real Estate for the use of their boardroom,
the Music Festival Committee for the use
of their decorations, the Apollo Bay youth
Club for the seating, the Apollo Bay Surf
Club for much help and a great venue. Also
Marianne Rieve and Bryan O'Neill who handle
this avenue of service for our Rotary Club
and all the hard working team of Rotarians
who made it all possible.
This will be an annual event and will be
held in the first week of May 2008. Glenis
Sharp - President
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APOLLO
BAY COMMUNITY NEWS |
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APOLLO
BAY
CHURCH
SERVICES |
St.
Aidans Anglican
9.00am
Rev John Grace
5237 6615
Uniting Church
9.30am
Rev
Kevin Cranwell 5232 1360
Sunday School every 2nd & 4th Sundays
Star of the Sea Catholic
10.30am
Fr Damien Heath
5237 6782
Apollo Bay Assembly
of God
6.00pm
Ps Peter Smith
5237
766 |
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sunday@five Christian fellowship
Contemporary worship 5 pm Sunday 20th May
2007 Modern songs, local musicians, relaxed
atmosphere "Something Different"
5 pm, 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month St
Aidan's Church Hall, 23 Nelson St, Apollo
Bay Enquiries: 5237 6615
BIRTH NOTICE
Elle and Pat are delighted to announce the
arrival of Jasper Elliot Rayner NEWTON Born
the 25th March at Geelong Hospital, fun
new brother for Riley.
Senior Citizens
Fri 18 May Bingo 1.45pm
Sat 19 May Carpet Bowls 2.00pm
Mon 21 May Carpet Bowls 2.00pm
Tue 22 May carpet Bowls 2.00pm
Quarterly Meetinq
Next meeting will be our quarterly
meeting on Monday 21 May at 1 pm. So we
hope to see as many of our members as
possible. Everyone welcome.
Apollo Bay R.S.L. Women's Aux
Don't forget our Birthday on Thursday
17 May 12 noon.
C.W.A.
Next meeting on Friday 25 May at 1.30pm
sharp. Competition Flower, Old Money Box.
Red Cross
Meeting held on Wednesday 6thJune at 10am
at Betty Cockerells, Scott Place, Apollo
Bay C. Mustafa.
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| Death
Notice
Gerald Godfrey Bell passed away on Wednesday
2nd May 2007 at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
at 83 years of age. A funeral service was
held at the i Bentleigh Baptist Church on
Friday the 4th May. A : burial service followed
at the Apollo Bay cemetery on Monday 7th
May. His wife June and son Kenneth I would
like to thank family and friends for their
sympathy and support. A special thank you
to the Reverend Harry Seawright, Dr Jim
Lawless and Shirley Swayn for all they have
done for the family over many years. And
lastly a thank you to WD Rose Funerals and
Graeme Robertson Funerals for their teamwork
and a thoroughly professional service. We
love you Dad. June and Kenneth Bell.
A BIG THANK YOU
To the Rotary Club for sponsoring Bryan
O'Neill & Marianne Rieve for arranging
the Wellness Weekend at the Apollo Bay Surf
Club. It was an informative, stimulating
and entertaining weekend about eating well,
keeping well and laughter in our lives.
All the adults and children enjoyed it immensely.
Helen Davis
Apollo Bay Informal Fishing Group
next meeting will be held on Thursday 7th
June, 2007 at 10.30am at the Apollo Bay
Shire conference room, Nelson Street. All
welcome Andrew Orchard, Co-ordinator
Attention Keen Gardeners
Apollo Bay P-12 College students in Grade
5 and Middle School are starting a Community
Garden project. Already our plot has been
sprayed and rotary hoed. We are looking
to form a group of interested members of
the community who wish to share our vision
and exciting venture. Where: Apollo Bay
P-12 College Staffroom When: Wednesday 23rd
May Time: 7.00 pm For more info: call Ingrid
Band, Dave Nelson or Peter Geekie on 5237
6483
THANK YOU
Thank you to all the wonderful people who
have sent cards, flowers and wishes of support
on the loss of our beloved Cyril. And a
very special thank you to those who attended
the Apollo Bay service and made it a wonderful
celebration of his life. He will be sadly
missed and fondly remembered. The compassion
and generosity of spirit shown in our time
of sadness and 1 loss is greatly appreciated.
Katherine Costin
Amber Brauer Arnold
18 years oldon May 19 with love from your
family |
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OTWAY
HEALTH NEWS |
Child Care
There are now a number of child care vacancies for
children both under and over three years of age.
Places are available in all sessions; for more information
please contact Customer Services.
Fit Bal
This program uses an exercise ball to assist participants
to enhance flexibility, increase ease of movement
and improve posture. This is a fun program that
can also improve the overall health of your back.
Enrol today!
Venue: Senior Citizens Centre Whelan
Street, Apollo Bay
When: Wednesdays: 23 May - 27 June
Time: 4.30pm - 5.30pm
Cost: $49.00 for six sessions
Recreational Boat Operators Licence
Offered in a friendly and relaxed environment, those
successfully completing this course will gain their
Boat Operator licence. Completion of this course
will provide you with a Marine Safe Victoria Certificate
which will allow Vic Roads to issue you with your
licence without having to sit a computerised test.
Bookings essential.
Venue:Marrar Woorn Community Centre
6 Pengilley Avenue, Apollo Bay
When:Friday 25 May
Time:6pm - 10pm
Cost:$76.50 for boat licence $15.00
extra for PWC
(suitable for jet skis etc)
New Craft Group at Marrar Woorn
A new and dynamic craft group will be starting Friday
18 May in the Marrar Woorn Community Centre. The
group will begin with a focus on felting but anyone
who is working on a craft project is more than welcome.
There is no need to register for this group, just
bring your current craft project and equipment.
Venue: Marrar Woorn Community Centre
6 Pengilley Avenue, Apollo Bay
Date: Every Friday
Time: 10am - lpm
Cost: $2.00 per session
For more information on these, or any other programs
or services offered by Otway Health please call
Customer Service on (03) 5237 8500
COLAC OTWAY SHIRE MUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE INSTEAD OF
EMPTY RHETORIC
Colac Otway Shire's participation in Cities for
Climate Change Protection Program is sanctimonious.
"I really doubt that Mayor Riches has any real
understanding of climate change given that he voted,
twice, for development on Barham River floodplain
with the adoption of Apollo Bay Structure Plan,"
said Otway Conservation Council spokesperson Fiona
Nelson "It's all very well participating in
a Cities for Climate Change Protection Program (CCP),
going to Melbourne for nibbles and talk, we need
to see real action by the Council." CCP is
an international program delivered in Australia
since 1997 in partnership between the Australian
Greenhouse Office (AGO) and the International Council
for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). >>> |
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| CCP encourages
and supports local governments to take actions
within their own operations and broader municipalities
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Cr Warren
Riches comments that the Shire's actions are helping
to reduce the impacts of global warming through
CCP . What are those actions? How is Colac Otway
Shire reducing their local energy consumption
and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ? Has the Shire
switched to renewable energy ? Why isn't the Shire
using Green Power anymore ? What real initiatives
have the council taken to reduce their impact
on our climate ? Have they changed over the petrol
hungry cars that senior bureaucrats have been
driving to more fuel-efficient vehicles? Did they
catch the train up to Melbourne for the CCP meeting
? Colac Otway Shire are allowing more and more
monoculture pulp plantations with short rotations
thereby impacting on water yield and quality plus
the increased greeenhouse gas emissions from the
plantations post logging burns. Colac Otway Shire
only put out their draft Greenhouse Action Plan
(GAP) for public comment early January this year
- at a very inconvenient time. It falls short
of really attacking the problem of greenhouse
gas emissions. The stated goal of the GAP is to
reduce GreenHouse Gas emissions by 10% below 1996
levels by 2010 & 20% below 2000 corporate
emission levels by 2010. As Cr.Warren Riches states
in the GAP (Foreword p2) "Local government
has the capacity to influence activities that
contribute up to 50% of our national GHG emissions...
". "It's hard to take the Council seriously
about their attitude and understanding of Climate
Change," said spokesperson Fiona Nelson,
" considering Council's recent adoption of
the latest Apollo Bay Structure Plan that allows
development on the Barham River floodplain.
This is despite the Structure Plan's own objective
for "Development in low lying areas, ecologically
sensitive areas and areas of environmental risk":
to recognise and protect ecological values and
avoid development in areas at risk from the effects
of flooding, wildfire, acid sulfate soil disturbance,
erosion, landslip and salinity. The Coastal Spaces
Recommendation 2006 states that coastal areas
such as estuaries, sandy shorelines and other
low-lying sites will be "more vulnerable
to Climate Change effects"
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
states that Climate Change will cause "greater
coastal inundation, erosion, loss of wetlands
and will impact on infrastructure, coastal resources
and existing coastal management programs."
Crs. Riches, Smith & Mercer all voted for
development on Barham River Floodplain, ignoring
the latest scientific advice. Cr Brian Crooke
who voted against the Apollo Bay Structure Plan
and against allowing development on Barham River
Floodplain said at the council meeting last week
in Apollo Bay, that Council should be listening
to their own advice:
"It is foolhardy to fly in the face of the
mounting evidence about Climate Change"
For More Information please phone: Fiona Nelson
- 5237 7345 / 0428 615 407
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Letters
to the Editor
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The Editor,
Shire CEO's salary package up $25,000 in 2 years
A recent inspection of Council documents has revealed
that the Chief Executive Officer's salary package
has increased by $25,000 in two years or 16.66%
from $150,000 pa at 1/11/'O4 to $175,000 pa at 1/11/'O6.
The increase is over twice the inflation rate. In
contrast, most Council employees receive modest
increases of about 4% per annum, close to the inflation
rate.
Ratepayers have a legislated right to know how much
the CEO is paid. Surely we are also entitled to
know why such a significant increase has been granted
by Councillors. CORRA asked the following questions
in an attempt to obtain an explanation: "What
does the CEO's employment contract say in relation
to how the remuneration package is increased each
year?
On what basis did Council decide that the CEO's
package should be increased by more than double
the official inflation rate for each of the last
two years?" Council's response was that there
is no obligation on the Council to reveal contractual
details. In the last 2 years, total rates have increased
19.9% from $12.3 million to $14.76 million this
year. Another increase of over 10% is planned for
the 2007/08 year. This includes the new Council
initiated "levy" of $40 per rate assessment.
This is despite Council receiving record grants
from State and Federal Governments. The CEO's employment
is due to be extended at the May meeting. The least
Council can do is explain why the CEO has been rewarded
with a $25,000 increase in the last two years. (Stephen
Hart) Assistant Secretary, CORRA
The Editor,
On the 27th April I handed my resignation as Chairman
to the Community Bank Steering Committee. At the
time I felt it was prudent to allow some time for
the ingoing Chairman to get his feet under the table
before I should thank all those people who supported
me in this position.
Firstly let me congratulate Allen Hokin for his
election as Chairman , that said, it is easy to
start with the Steering Committee and thank all
those individuals who gave their support and loyalty
to me during my seven months as Chairman. This according
to Bendigo Bank has been to date amongst their most
successful and productive committees. Let me also
thank those people in the community who have supported
this effort to date with their pledges. I would
like to reassure them that their Community Bank
will become a reality. I would however urge every
member of the community to complete their survey
forms and return them so feasibility can be established
.
Lance Matthews
Letter to the Editor,
I write in relation to Councillors Corner 10 May
2007. We all appreciate constructive feedback on
how we approach our work, but I believe the points
made in the article from Cr Hart and Cr Higgins
warrant clarification. Colac Otway Shire staff undertake
their work with a high level of professionalism.
In relation to •the helipad, the report to
Council included detailed information about the
impending translation of the site to Farming Zone;
including the following:
¦ "Council is aware that the Minister
for Planning will introduce the new Farming Zone
into the Colac Otway Planning Scheme."
¦ "That the date of the gazettal for
this amendment has not been advised at this time."
¦ "That a Heliport/Helipad is prohibited
under the Farming Zone."
¦ "If the Farming Zone was introduced
prior to a decision by Council or VCAT the application
could not proceed as there are no transitional arrangements
in place. The provisions of the Farming Zone prohibit
this use and would apply to any existing VCAT appeal."
¦ "D.S.E advise that Council determination
on this application should be made without delay
so a Council position on the application is established."
In the interests fairness and impartiality, given
Council had not received formal advice regarding
the gazettal date, the application was provided
to Council's Planning Committee for consideration
on the 8th of November 2007.
Council meeting papers had been finalised and distributed
to all Councillors well prior to the Planning Committee
day on 8th November 2007. Advice was received from
DSE on 8 November 2006 that the gazettal would proceed
on the 9 November 2006. Officers advised Councillors
of this information prior to the Planning Committee
meeting. The advice of Officers made it clear to
Council that under the Farming Zone a helipad was
a prohibited use. Accordingly, Council voted to
reject the planning permit.
Councillors all participate in the annual review
of CEO performance and vote in relation to CEO contractual
matters. I believe these meetings are the appropriate
place for feedback and decision making on contractual
matters - not in the public arena. Cr WarreirRiches,
Mayor Colac Otway Shire Council
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Dear Editor,
FLOOD OF COMPLAINTS
In a growth area such as Apollo Bay it is reasonable
to expect the Shire Planners to identify the town's
geographical constraints to development, which clearly
are flooding/inundation and soil instability/ landslip.
The Planners should earmark the areas that are reasonably
free of these problems and only consider them for
future housing development. It's not difficult.
By Planning Manager J. Green's admission, risk analysis
is not accounted for in the Structure Plan process.
The Daft Structure Plan has been adopted with its
main feature being that the Apollo Bay township
boundary has been extended out to include the Barham
River floodplain and align with the boundaries of
C29 [Great Ocean Green] andC17 [Marriners View]
Amendments. The inclusion of C29 and C17 meant that
our local representative Shire Councillor J. DiCecco
was unable to vote on the new Structure Plan.
The C.C.M.A. have analysed the Barham River stream
flow data and determined an estimate for the peak
stream flow in the biggest flood of a lifetime.
This estimate is used in the design of residential
development on the floodplain. Being a weather event
the CCMA's estimated flood stream flow is unreliable.
The CCMA recognize this and the relevant information
is on the graph on P. 19 of their April 5th report.
There is a 1 in 20 probability that the major flood
stream flow will be over two and a half times bigger
than the design figure. This would be a major catastrophe.
Building houses on the floodplain is a gamble. After
14 years on school council my belief in working
towards a stimulating but safe environment has been
reinforced. I believe the C29 proposal will not
provide a safe environment.
Another concern is the 1 million cubic metres of
soil to fill in sections of the floodplain and the
resulting increase in flood levels and floodwater
velocities at the Recreation Reserve and G.O.R.
bridge. Many of the holes of the proposed golf course
would also be badly impacted
Works that reduce floodplain capacity are contrary
to the Planning Scheme in Geelong
I could not be more disappointed that despite vehement
and persistent opposition from 3 thoughtful Shire
Councillors and a large Apollo Bay gallery, 3 Shire
Councillors from the North still pushed through
the Apollo Bay Structure Plan to include the floodplain
in the township boundaries, in preparation for housing
development. Philip Lawson
Committee Chairman resigns
It was with regret that the Apollo Bay & District
Community Bank® Steering Committee recently
accepted the resignation of inaugural Chairman Mr
Lance Matthews.
Lance, who has been instrumental in the success
of the campaign to date, has been forced to resign
for personal reasons.
Incoming Chairman Mr Allen Hokin thanked Mr Matthews
for his contribution, on behalf of the Community
Bank® Steering Committee stating that he had
provided great leadership to the group, and that
the committee was sad to see him go
SUCCESSFUL PETANQUE WEEKEND AT HALLS GAP
Undeterred by persistent rain showers for most of
the day, sixty six players braved the elements last
Saturday to compete in the Grampians P6tanque Club's
annual triples competition at the Halls Gap Boule-o-Drome.
Twenty two teams from clubs in Maryborough, Apollo
Bay, Portsea, the Pyranees, Adelaide and Melbourne
joined local players for a share of the generous
prizes on offer. The major competition, the Principale,
was a tightly fought tussle with Joy Field, Hazelie
Robinson and Jane Scheggia from the Pyranees edging
out Rex Brown, Gary Van Someren and Jonathan Burgess
from Apollo Bay in fading light on our floodlit
piste. Consolante winners were Rod and Barbara Nielsen
and Lorraine Elderhurst from Maryborough over Sam
Louisi, Bernie and Danielle Bommarito from Melbourne.
The local team of Margaret and Rod Nancarrow and
Bill Hughes Snr took out the social event.
On Sunday morning, and in much brighter weather,
twenty seven players enjoyed a social triples competition
at the "Breakfast, Bubbles and Boules"
event at The Gap vineyard with Sam Louisi, Danielle
Bommarito and Sylvia Thornton victorious over Bernie
Bommarito, Paul and Patrick Thornton. It was a great
weekend of friendly competition and social interaction
and despite the rain on Saturday, not one complaint
was heard about the weather. The organisers wish
to thank all the competitors and also our sponsors,
Mount Langi Ghiran wines and The Gap vineyard. Gary
Van Someren
Official Opening of Apollo Bay P-12 College Stage
1 Building Project
The Staff, Students and School Council of Apollo
Bay P-12 College cordially invite you to celebrate
the official opening of Stage 1 of our building
project. The new Science Block and Arts and Technology
Block will be opened on Monday June 4, 2007, at
2.00 pm by Ms Gayle Tierney, Member for Western
Victoria. The School Choir will open the proceedings
and a selection of School bands will close. The
opening will also be attended by Senator The Hon
Michael Ronaldson. It is expected that the ceremony
will go for approximately 30-40 minutes. We have
not had funding approved for Stage 2. Part of the
process required for stage 2 funding involves demonstrating
community support. |
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