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Apollo
Bay, what's happening in paradise!
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Edition
22-29 31/5/07 -
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 Music
Festival Community
News Landcare
Health
Letters |
Apollo
Bay Home | Great
Ocean Road Home |
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CONGRATULATIONS
TO BOB DAVIS
who turned 90 on Friday 25th May 2007.
Nearly 50 family and friends gathered at St Aidan's
Hall on warm and sunny Saturday 26th May to witness
Bob blow out all 90 candles, listen to speeches
noting his many remarkable achievements and idiosyncrasies,
to hear cello music played by his 15 year old grandson
Henry Davis, then to enjoy a sumptuous afternoon
tea and animated conversation. Bob's 88 year old
brother Arthur travelled from Adelaide as did 3
nieces and their husbands from Yorketown S.A., Adelaide
& Beaudesert Qld to share in the celebration.
All 3 of Bob's children and spouses, Janet &
Nevil, Bill & Monica and Ted, 5 of his grand
children and 2 great grandsons plus many close friends
came too, to wish him a very happy birthday and
wish him well. Bob was presented with a Book of
Memories compiled by Janet, containing reminiscences,
photos and drawings from many folk of their significant
and unforgettable memories of Bob over his many
years. Now this makes fun reading! Further contributions
may still be added on A5 size paper please. A heartfelt
thank you to Avis Coles and Lorraine Baulch and
their band of hard working St Aidan's helpers and
also to Sylvia Churchill who so masterfully arranged
the magnificent flowers, decorating the Hall. Bob,
may God continue to make His face to shine upon
you and give you His peace. And may you have many
happy and satisfying years ahead.
PUBLIC MEETING
The future of the Apollo Bay Music Festival
Wednesday 6th June at 7.00pm Mechanics Hall Come
along, express your views, and join up. Further
details contact Peter Fillmore on 5237 6579 (see
Letter to the Editor page 7)
St Aidan's Trivia Night
7.00pm Friday 15th June - Start time
NEW Jackpot Round and categories
COME AND HAVE FUN!
BYO Drinks and Nibbles Still only $7.00 per person
Book your tables of six Phone Edmond on 52377203
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| Apollo
Bay Community Bank®
Where's your Survey?
Sent off your survey - great, but for those
who haven't we need you to complete the
survey and mail it off to the consultants
immediately. The survey only takes a few
minutes to complete and we need your response
whether you're a community bank supporter
or not. An independent consultant has been
engaged to administer and process the surveys
and their findings will be presented to
the Steering Committee and to Bendigo Bank
in order to determine the viability of an
Apollo Bay Branch, once they have completed
their assessment. If you have misplaced
your copy and need another one ring Allen
Hokin on 5237 6347 or collect one from the
News Sheet stand at the newsagency.
Erratum: The figure of $700 000 attributed
to the Maldon Community Bank's distribution
to community organizations last week was
printed in error, the correct amount being
in excess of $400 000, which has been distributed
over the past 3 years. They are about to
embark on their 2007 grants campaign which
will be their largest distribution to local
community organizations to date.
Apollo Bay Arts Inc. presents:
Indoor Winter Market
Sunday 10th June at Mechanics Hall, 9.30
am to 2.30 pm.
Handcrafts, artwork, photography, gift cards,
glass, jewellery, soaps, honey, jams, cakes,
natural beauty products, leather, Shiatsu
...
Face painting & Yummie food.
Enq: Jane ©ross 52 376 335
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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' |
Macro
invertebrate Survey Wild Dog SOLN
now has 17 Waterwatch testers checking
the health of the West and East Barham,
Wild Dog Ck, Skenes Ck, Smythes Ck,
Carisbrook Ck, Whalebone Ck and Sugarloaf
Ck. Each month our dedicated community
Waterwatchers test their local waterways
for temperature, dissolved oxygen,
pH, salinity, reactive phosphorus
and turbidity. This data is then passed
on to Barwon Water to be analysed
and included in an annual report on
the health of our rivers. As well
as the physical and chemical testing
of our waters Waterwatch volunteers
also conduct habitat surveys and macro
invertebrate surveys.
It is now time for all testers to
conduct their biannual macro invertebrate
survey and we have a number of kits
available at the SOLN office to enable
people to undertake the survey. Brenda
Skene from Waterwatch is currently
working her way through our testing
sites, logging a GPS reference, checking
OHS procedures and "shadow monitoring"
to check our equipment and our methods.
Brenda has a background in aquatic
science and is more than happy to
answer any queries that testers may
have so please contact the SOLN office
to make a time to meet with Brenda
at your Waterwatch site. SOLN wishes
to thank all our current Waterwatchers
for the community service they are
providing, many of our waterways have
never been tested before and the data
you are collecting now is an invaluable
resource for water management in the
future. If you would like to become
a Waterwatcher on any of our currently
listed waterways or are interested
in testing other waterways please
contact the SOLN office and we will
connect you with our Landcare groups
undertaking this important data collection.
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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ABP12C Parents &
Friends Group
Dear Parents & Friends
Next Monday evening the 4th June will be
our first AGM; I welcome you all to this
evening and thank those for your support
over the past 18 months... garden clean
up's, school helpers, attending meeting's,
giving advice, participating in a caring
community, is a healthy community.
I take this opportunity to thank Mary Cockerell
for doing a fantastic (as always) job setting
up all procedures, and books to pass onto
the next Secretary. I have enjoyed working
along side a person that has many years
of experience to offer, and is so easy to
get along with. As this position will need
to be filled, I urge you to think about
nominating. The parents & friends group
is an important part of the school community,
not only does it support all staff, students
and parents, it provides an important link
to school council.
We welcome input on the agenda and your
place at the monthly meetings. An annual
fee of $5 per family or single; covers the
on going cost associated with running groups.
Encouraging parents to join encourages unity.
Q. What would I have to do if I joined?
A. Nothing, or
lots, or just a bit. So you can come along
and be informed
without taking on any extra tasks.
Q. When do you meet? A. We meet on the first
Monday
of every month except on school holidays.
Our meetings
are between 7.00pm and 8.30 pm at the school
Q. Will I feel welcome? A. YES! We'd love
to have you.
Fill out the following form, return to school
office in envelope with $5
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Tracey Slatter Re-Appointed
To CEO Position
Colac Otway Shire Council has reappointed
Tracey
Slatter to the position of Chief Executive
Officer.
The decision was made to reappoint Ms
Slatter at the
Council meeting last night (May 23).
Mayor, Cr Warren Riches said the decision
was the
right one for the Shire.
"Tracey is doing a fantastic job
and is really committed
to Council and the community,"
CrRiches said.
"I don't think anyone can doubt
her passion for
projects such as the revitalisation
of Lake Colac, the
upgrade of the Princes Highway, the
Apollo Bay
Harbour and Structure Plan and the Education,
Recreation and Community Precinct.
"She has also been committed to
a number of
community projects outside her role
as CEO of the
Shire." Cr Riches said Ms Slatter's
strong focus on improving the Shire's
financial situations and infrastructure
renewal gap had Council positioned well
for the future.
"Council is looking forward to
continuing our strong
working relationship with Tracey and
working together
with her to progress Colac Otway Shire,"
Cr Riches said.
Colac Otway
Naturally Progressive
Council Reaches Another Milestone
Colac Otway Shire has received $4000
from the Advancing Action Fund for reaching
Milestone 3 in the Cities for Climate
Protection program. The Shire is one
of 219 local governments participating
in the program which helps local government
and their communities reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and their impact on the
environment.
Milestone 3 was achieved through the
preparation and adoption of a Greenhouse
Action Plan which supports actions to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions both
Council facilities and in the wider
community. The funding will be used
to help implement actions in the Plan
which include undertaking energy audits
and retrofitting of Council buildings,
implementing energy reduction measures
in all Council buildings, investigating
the potential to use green power and
gas conversions for fleet vehicles and
an audit of street lighting.
Colac Otway Shire CEO Tracey Slatter
said reaching Milestone 3 was a step
in the right direction to reduce Council's
greenhouse gas emissions and energy
costs. "Our Green House Action
Plan, while not a complete solution,
outlines Council's commitment to reducing
its impact on global warming,"
Ms Slatter said. "Implementing
actions from the plan are likely to
bring environmental, social and economic
benefits now and into the future. "Council
is also committed to investigating measures
to further reduce our green house gas
emissions."
Accept that some days you are the pigeon
and some days the statue.
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Colac
Otway
Special Council Meeting
A Special Meeting of Council will be held
at COPACC on
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 commencing at 12pm.
Agenda
• Adoption of 2007/08 Draft Budget
Tracey Slatter
Chief Executive Officer
www.colacotway.vic.gov.au
Colac Otway
Colac Otway Shire invites applications for
the following three positions
GARDENER/LABOURER - COLAC
Permanent Full Time
Join our Parks and Gardens Team! This role
involves working at the Botanic Gardens
and other parks, streetscapes, road reserves
and Council owned and managed land with
an emphasis on safety, quality and meeting
our corporate values and standards.
CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER - BLUEWATER
FITNESS CENTRE
Permanent Part-Time (Saturday and Sunday)
An exciting opportunity is available at
Bluewater Fitness Centre for an enthusiastic
person interested in providing outstanding
customer service to the Centre's many clients
and visitors.
Ideally you will have excellent communication
skills, competent computer and keyboard
skills, be a team player and demonstrate
a "can do" attitude.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS OFFICER - BLUEWATER
FITNESS CENTRE
Permanent Part-time (15 hrs per week)
If you have experience in developing programs
for children then this role may be for you!
As Children's Programs Officer you will
help develop, implement and review Centre
based children's programs including the
creche and holiday program. The successful
applicant will hold a Diploma of Children's
Services or a Certificate 3 in Children's
Services, a current Level 2 First Aid Certificate
and demonstrate the ability to perform physical
tasks related to primary contact with children.
Position Descriptions for these three positions
are
available via the website, by contacting
Shellie
Nicholls on (03) 5232 9438 or emailing
shellie. nicholls(S)colacotwav.vic.qov.au
Applications for all three positions close
4pm, Friday,
June 8, 2007.
Tracey Slatter, Chief Executive Officer
www.colacotway.vic.qov.au
Colac Otway Shire is an equal opportunity
employer
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Dear Editor,
Apollo Bay Harbour Plan
Our Mayor, Warren Riches, must have
been influenced by Henry Ford's comments
"they can have any colour they
like, as long as it's black", as
he and his councillor colleagues analysed
the community feedback on the Apollo
Bay Harbour Precinct Master Plan &
Feasibility Study. I may be naive but
I always thought that our councillors
were elected by the community to act
in the interests of the community as
the community saw fit. While I don't
agree with the idea of the hotel being
built adjacent to the Apollo Bay harbour,
and the rerouting of the Great Ocean
Road across part of the foreshore (which
is in my opinion blatant vandalism),
these are only my opinions and council
has every right to ignore them. But
when the majority of the community have
similar views, then council has an obligation
to heed these concerns and act on them.
The fact that our councillors chose
to ignore the views expressed by the
Apollo Bay community is an arrogant
abuse of their position. It is now apparent
that our elected councillors are going
to ram this proposal through regardless
of community opinion. One can only conclude
that the people of Apollo Bay have been
deceived into feeling that they were
involved in something that has the capacity
to radically reshape the community in
which they live. The fact is we were
not given options. Why not look at where
else the Ocean Road could be diverted
(Pascoe Street for example), or, is
public land at the harbour the most
appropriate location for a 5 star hotel?
The proposal as presented is far too
narrow in its outlook and has little
to offer in improving the quality of
life for those who live and work in
Apollo Bay. For the record:
In answer to the question "Do you
think the Vision is appropriate for
the Harbour Precinct?", 24.3% said
yes, 33.1% said partly, and 42.5% said
no. Of the resident population, 8.4%
said yes, 16.1% said partly, and 30.4%
said no. John Marriner
Dear Sir,
Who's "jumping the gun" ?
According to the Colac Otway Shire's
website, our Mayor, Cr Warren Riches
recently said:
"The Apollo Bay Structure Plan
does not approve the C29 Amendment;
it acknowledges that this land is suitable
for residential and recreational
development..........".
He said, in his press release, that
"Those that think that C29 is a
fait accompli are
jumping the gun,......"
But one may wonder whether the Council
is "jumping the gun" by declaring
that the flood plain area which it has
incorporated within the town boundary
is "suitable for residential development"
- the Mayor's words -without waiting
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Given the actual
proposal which the developers have presented
to the panel - essentially to allow them
to develop the area in any way they would
like - one would have thought that the Council's
incorporation of the area as suitable for
residential development MUST "prejudice
Council's ability to consider and deliberate
on the C29 development."
It's also interesting to read the Burbank
Group of Companies (their website says that
"Burbank is one of Victoria's largest
builders") advertising for the Great
Ocean Green development on their website
http//:www.burbank.com.au/burbank land subdivision
great ocean.php which claims the following:
"The meandering serpentine Great Ocean
Road intertwines with the rugged cost of
south west Victoria, invitingly seducing
tourists and lifestyle seekers on a journey
through one of Australia's most spectacular
natural landscapes. "Scenic Apollo
Bay, nestled on the coast and serviced by
the Great Ocean Road, has been earmarked
as a major coastal tourist and activity
node by relevant state authorities. Other
market factors such as a mounting emphasis
on lifestyle and an aging Australian population,
prompted the Directors to pre-empt Apollo
Bay as the ideal location for the development
of a residential/golf course resort.
"This achievement involved securing
prime, pristine beachside property and refining
an environmentally driven scheme that integrates
golfing and over 530 residential properties
into a resort style development."
Are they, too, "jumping the gun"
?
Russell Dawe
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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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SUSTAINABILITY TALK
Ian Lillington, author of "The Holistic
Life"
will be a guest at the permaculture market
stall
on Saturday June 2nd at the Apollo Bay Foreshore
Market,
and will be giving a free talk at
Eco Beach YHA, Pascoe St, Apollo Bay
at 4pm on Saturday June 2nd.
PATCHWORK QUILTING
The next Patchwork Quilting meeting will
be held next Tuesday, the 5th of June at
1:30 pm at Marrar Woorn, Pengilley Ave,
Apollo Bay. Please bring Convergence, May
Mystery or something else to work on. Contact
Judy Hagan 52376479. New members welcome.
Note: Next night meeting will be on the
Monday, the 18th of June at Judy Hagan's.
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| C.W.A.
Next meeting Friday 2nd June at 1.30 pm
FRIENDSHIP DAY
Our next Friendship Day at Gwens will be
on Friday 15th June at 1.30 pm.
The Staff, Students and School Council of
APOLLO BAY P-12 COLLEGE
cordially invite you to celebrate the official
opening of the new
Science Block and
Arts & Technology Block
Monday June 4, 2007 at 2.00 by Ms Gayle
Tierney,
PRESCHOOL NEWS
A late thank-you to the volunteers who worked
for the 'Kids Under Canvas' venue at the
music Festival. And thank-you to the Festival!
The preschool received $2000 for manning
this event.
Apollo Bay Informal Fishing Group
The next meeting will be held on Thursday
the
7th June, 2007 at 10.30 am at the Apollo
Bay Shire
conference room, Nelson Street, Apollo Bay.
All welcome. Coordinator Andrew ORCHARD.
RED CROSS
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 6th
June at 10 am at Betty Cockerell, Scott
Place. Please note change of time and place.
SENIOR CITIZENS
Saturday 2nd June Carpet Bowls 2 pm
Monday 4th June Carpet Bowls 2 pm
Tuesday 5th June Carpet Bowls 2 pm
Friday 8th June Bingo 1.45 pm
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OTWAY
HEALTH NEWS |
Myth-busters
There are more than a few myths about exercise and
physical activity so we thought that it was time
we busted some of them.
No pain, no gain
False- Muscle soreness or pain
is a sign that you may be over-doing it or working
too hard for your current fitness level. Slow down
and build up gradually.
Walking can be a great workout
True- Walking uses most of your
body's muscles and joints so it's a great all-over
body workout. It's also ideal for people who haven't
been physically active for a while, those recovering
from illness. Beginning with ten minutes a day and
building up gradually, both in pace and duration
of your walk, will be highly beneficial.
If you are ill it's better to postpone your
activity routine
True- In fact it can be dangerous
to do some physical activities if you are ill. Remember
to check with your doctor first.
Warming up before vigorous activity makes
a difference
True- It is always wise to do some
warm-up exercises to prepare yourself before any
vigorous activity. Warming up by jogging on the
spot and doing some muscle stretches increases blood
flow and flexibility which helps to prevent injury.
If you have an injury you may still be able
to enjoy some physical activity
True but it's best to talk to your
doctor or physiotherapist about what you can and
can't do. There may be a low
weight-bearing activity like yoga or swimming that
might be suitable.
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Dear Editor,
Masters of Spin
An interesting document has come my way. The lengthy
title is: 'Apollo Bay Harbour Precinct Master
Plan & Feasibility Study - Issues Paper Overview
of Stakeholder Feedback.' (What they want to say
is 'Community Feedback forms on the Harbour Development
have been analysed'!!) The Shire received 555
submissions and approximately 500 feedback forms.
The consultant then claims:
• Majority support for the Vision The truth,
rather than the spin, is a little different and
comes from a close examination of TABLE 1 Do you
think the Vision is appropriate for the Harbour
Precinct?
In total 24.3% said Yes and 33.1% said partly,
while 42.5% said No. 'Never mind', says the Spin
Master, 'Add 24.3 and 33.1 together to get 57.4%.
now that's a majority support for the vision.
What the figures are really saying is that 57.4%
say the vision is either appropriate or partly
appropriate, while 75.6% say it is either NOT
appropriate or partly appropriate. On the matter
of level of support for individual projects, 72%
oppose the Hotel/visitor accommodation. So do
you think they will take any notice of us? Not
a chance! Under the heading which in part reads,
'the following is an outline of the changes proposed
to the preliminary master plan,' is the dot point:
'Removal of shading around the three hotel building
envelopes.' (Whatever that means!!!) It is clear
to me that the Community of Apollo Bay is held
in contempt by those responsible for this plan.
John Spencer, Apollo Bay |
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Letters
to the Editor
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Dear Editor
APOLLO BAY HARBOUR PLAN
We all did what we were told to do didn't we?
We filled out our feedback forms, we attended the
'consultation sessions'. The result? A five page
'frequently
asked questions' sheet in the mail.
It is obvious to me that this means a very large
number of
people have very many objections - or as the Shire
would
have us believe 'questions' - to many of the proposals
in
what has been put to us as a DRAFT plan.
I fear that the Shire is absolutely committed to
the plan in
it's current form. My experience at the 'consultation'
meeting in Melbourne and subsequent correspondence
with
Joe Di Cecco and Tracey Slatter indicate that whatever
the
ratepayers and residents object to - it will be
'explained'
away as if we are simply not entitled to question
their better
judgement, let alone demand something different
from any
redevelopment.
The recent adoption of the master plan for Apollo
Bay - in
completely unchanged form from the draft we were
presented with for 'comment, consultation, and feedback'
should sound warning bells for all of us.
Jo Dunsmuir
66 Years Married
Vera and Eric Johnston are proud to announce their
66th Wedding Anniversary on the 22nd May 2007.
Vera and Eric came to Apollo Bay in 1962 from Beech
Forest. They brought their 4 children, Gail, Robert,
Ann and Julie, with them. And then Debbie came along
the following year.
Eric worked for the Forest Commission and was the
Overseer for the Otways. He was also heavily involved
in the community by joining the Masonic Lodge, Golf
Club, Bowling Club, RSL, Foreshore Committee and
many other committees through out Apollo Bay. Vera
also was also committed to the community in things
such as the Bowling Club, Masonic Lodge and Information
Centre, baking cakes for street stalls and where
ever else she was needed.
Today they are nestled in a tidy home in Werribee
where their family has now grown to include 10 grand
children, plus spouses and 6 great grandchildren.
All of who cherish their parents, grandparents and
great grandparents immensely.
We wish them all best for the future and hope that
each day will continue to bring them the happiness
they have earned.
With all our love and best wishes we congratulate
Mum and Dad on a terrific effort, from the Johnston
Clan.
The Editor,
Apollo Bay Music Festival
With the imminent resignation of the current committee,
it is time for the Apollo Bay community to come
together to discuss the future of this community
Music Festival. I have called a public meeting for
Wednesday June 6 at 7.00pm in the Mechanics Hall.
I would like to invite all members of the community,
including musicians, artists, sporting clubs, shop
traders, Otway Health, Apollo Bay P12 College and
sponsors to this important meeting. I hope to encourage
public debate about the future direction of the
festival and form a committee to act on this vision.
Membership and committee nomination forms will be
available on the night.
My vision for the future is essentially the same
as the Colac Otway Shire funded ABMF Business Plan
2003. This is a community music/arts festival limited
to 4000 tickets run by a volunteer committee overseeing
three paid staff:
A Business Manager An Artistic Director A Professional
Publicist These position will be open to all in
the community. The volunteer committee will meet
monthly to oversee these positions. All meetings
will be open to the community. With this year's
festival only breaking even (personal comment by
Jenny Rippon), its time to rethink the budget, especially
the wages bill of $90,000. The issue of over 100
proxy memberships from outside Colac Otway Shire
also needs to be addressed. I look forward to seeing
a broad cross section of the community to support
in a positive way the ongoing success of our community
Music Festival. Peter Fillmore, Apollo Bay
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Dear Editor
Harbour Precinct Master Plan
I received the community newsletter (March 2007)
and the master plan referred to above, with much
disappointment. I have many concerns about the proposal.
My greatest concern is the process by which this
has been developed. It is easy to draw lines on
a map and pretty plans for new developments, particularly
at locations such as Apollo Bay, but it is no more
than a drawing. It is not a feasibility study. A
major redevelopment proposal such as this requires
a comprehensive social, economic and environmental
impact assessment and triple bottom line evaluation.
Fundamental questions need to be asked such as
• What are the costs - short and long term
in social economic and environmental terms?
• What are the benefits, when will they be
realized and which parties will benefit?
•
Who are the losers and how much will they lose?
• What are the risks?
• Where is
the money coming from (for initial capital and future
recurrent expenditure)?• To what extent will
the cost (short and longer term) be carried by rate
payers, and can they afford it?
• What is the life expectancy
of the project?
• To what extent does
this project meet community needs and how does this
project rank with other projects in terms of returns
on community investment for residents of Apollo
Bay and nearby settlements?
• What are the flow on effects to the local
community?
All of these must be addressed, and should be addressed
at the preliminary concept stage before any money
is spent on more detailed planning, and glossy publications
like the one received in the mail. At the very least
this information should be provided with the plan.
The master plan raises many issues some of which
I have covered briefly below, but I am sure other
Apollo Bay residents will have many others of their
own. All need to be addressed before any commitments
are made to progress the master plan.
The development is proposed in increasingly uncertain
times - amidst concerns of global warming, climate
change, declining bio diversity and resource depletion
(oil, water and the natural systems that support
us) and the need to reduce our environmental footprints.
All of these have profound social and economic implications
that will affect the entire economy. The net effects
will be negative not positive and impose severe
hardship on all communities. Tourism will be one
of the first industries affected. Economic risks
in such an environment are high. The most appropriate
investment strategy under these conditions is one
that favors relatively small low cost projects which
provide high yields and quick payback - not monumental
high cost projects with long lead times which provide
benefits that are difficult to assess with any accuracy
or a high deal of confidence - such as that proposed
in the Apollo Bay Harbour redevelopment plan. If
money was to be spent on Apollo Bay the starting
point would be:
• Identify the challenges that will confront
people in Apollo Bay over the next 10, 20 and perhaps
30 years and develop a strategy that addresses them
• Identify alternatives, evaluate (cost benefit
appraisal and risk analysis) and rank them
• Review them and check (with the local community)
whether they were really appropriate and affordable
• Develop short and longer term strategies
for implementation.
This process should be standard procedure for all
capital and development works.
In summary the proposal does not address the most
pressing needs of the Apollo Bay community - that
of a relatively poor but two tiered community in
which the gap between rich and poor is widening,
where development is pushing up property values
and making it even more difficult for locals to
live and work in their town. The type of commercial
development proposed on the master plan will exacerbate
this problem and divert precious funds away from
areas of real community need, and at the same time
degrade a community area which is already highly
valued and replace it with ill designed and inappropriate
access roads, car parking and new facilities of
dubious value. These outcomes are bad enough but
it is the process by which this master plan has
been developed that most concerns me. Roger Taylor,
Skenes Creek Dear Editor,
I write regarding the article about me on page 3
of the May 24 edition of the Apollo Bay News Sheet.
This article is factually incorrect. I assure the
community that I have all the appropriate permits
required to move stock on this road. If Cr Higgins
had approached me to check the facts, this reply
wouldn't have been necessary. I am quite happy to
discuss the issue with him at any time. Warren Riches
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