Voice News
14th March 2024
Committee News
Sally Cannon has now stepped back from the committee due to other commitments. We thank Sally for her contribution over the past year and wish her well knowing that we can always call on her for support and assistance as needed.
We welcome Tony Webber to the committee bringing some 30+ years of experience with the Otway Forum and being a regular attendee at Council meetings since the 1990’s. The Otway Forum is folding to join the ABCV supporting one united community group to champion local issues.
Memberships
We now have 300 members and a separate mailing list of supporters who have not yet joined. Please go to our website abcvoice.com.au and tap ‘Join Us’ if you would like to secure your membership.
Bass Strait Freight (BSF)
A proposal to truck up to 25,000 head of cattle per year through Apollo Bay harbour from King Island. The intention is to bring a shipload of 450 head of cattle to be loaded into 10 semi-trailers to be transported to Colac & further, at least 43 times per year.
Following the recent information session hosted by BSF, the ABCV committee has decided to not take a stance on this issue until we know the view of the majority of the members who we represent. To that end, members will be emailed a survey asking whether they support or oppose this proposal. If you wish to complete the survey and you are not a current member, please complete the form on the website, as above.
The following documents were sent to members and are also available on our website: BSF Information Pack; BSF Draft Environmental Management Plan, and Draft Transport Management Plan.
Childcare – before & after school and holiday programs
The need for provision of these services has come to our attention and we are discussing options with several organisations. No announcements at this stage.
Interruption to Power Apollo Bay
We have been approached by Southern Otways Sustainable (SOS) to work together on this issue. Thew SOS commissioned report ‘The Cost of Unreliable Power to Apollo Bay’ is now complete and will be helpful in discussions with Powercor and planning for the future.
GORCAPA meeting
Today was the first for the year and was most productive. Agenda items included Coastal Adaptation Planning; Rec Reserve Master Plan implementation; Harbour Redevelopment; Fishermen’s Co-op lease; Pt Bunbury Pathway; Foreshore maintenance; Public toilets at Marengo & Kennett River; Bushfire Place of Last Resort; Whale carcass disposal; Seismic testing; Fossils policy; BSF proposal.
If you have any questions or concerns about any of these issues or others please attend GORCAPA’s upcoming Coastal Projects Open Days on Friday 22 March 2pm – 6pm, and Saturday 23 March 10am – 1pm at the Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-operative. This is the community’s opportunity to connect with the GORCAPA team and work with them to achieve the best outcomes for our coast and parks. See further details on GORCAPA's website.
Jane Gross
President
(03) 5237 6335
Apollo Bay Community Voice
PO Box 155, Apollo Bay VIC 3233
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