OTWAY FORUM MEETING No. 329 - Nov 10, 2019

Apologies Crs. Hart and Potter.

Apologies Cr. Potter. Cr. Hart in attendance

- COS Annual Report now available.

- COS rated as a low financial risk shire.

- Revaluation of property values for rates now done every year.

- As the farm rate has now dropped residential and commercial rates will go up.

- Funding priorities for COS are listed in the Oct. Agenda.

- Top of the list is a proposal for a $100,000? feasibility study to pump treated waste water 50kms, from the Black Rock treatment facility to fill Lake Colac for tourism purposes?

- $400m capital costs? And $1m annual running costs? Surely that rules out its feasibility?

- The lake is heavily silted and shallow so evaporation will be very high.

- Only Cr. Stephen Hart apposes this proposal.

- Barwon Water is currently studying how to use this valuable resource that is currently being pumped into Bass Strait.

- Our waste water is also pumped into the sea at Marengo.

- COS to contribute $200,000 annually for running costs  for AB pool.

- Skenes Ck. to Forrest road works to commence this month.

- Also Hardy St. to be repaired this month by COS.

- Should there be more separation of rubbish at the recycle station by residents rather than more wheelie bins on the street?

- Printer cartridges, old phones and small batteries can be left at COS customer service area at the Visitor Information Centre.

- Tennis and netball courts need resurfacing. Can COS help with funding?

- Still waiting on the decision on the review of council wards.

- Now the whole local council act is up for review and the minister will have the final say.

- Community Infrastructure Plan information sessions at the Golf club Nov. 22 and 23.

- GOR Authority update also available at the info day.

- Very important that locals attend and give them feedback on our priorities.

- This will include many projects between Skenes Ck. and Marengo.

- Some projects have been funded but many haven’t.

- DELWP and the responsible state minister will have the final say on the projects as many are in the at risk coastal zone.

- The latest coastal erosion report will be released at the meeting but now won’t include options or costs – just more background information.

- Further vegetation lost on dune faces at the back  beach east of the current replenishment zone.

- Half the sand that was placed on the back beach this year has already washed away.

- $1.5m of federal money to be spent in safe federal liberal seat at Mt. Martha to build groyne, walls and replenish sand on the beach.

- The top priority for AB  must be to secure the front and back beaches and therefore the GOR.

- The CIP won’t??? be addressing the recommendation from the last erosion report to investigate the possible rerouting of some sections of the GOR that are at risk of inundation.

- The proposed new Wild Dog Creek bridge to now be raised by 1.1mtrs next year, to allow for predicted sea level rise.

- Dredging of harbour to commence next year with offshore dispersal?

- This sand could be placed next to rock groynes to stabilize the beaches.

- A new Federal Government Understanding Regional Tourism Report now available.

Otway Forum meets 2nd Sunday of every month at 3pm at Marrar Woorn or find us at www.forum.apollobay.org.au. 

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Peter Fillmore
Hon. Secretary
Otway Forum

0428 091 694