The South West Daily

Here is what is making news for September 8, 2025.==================================A 21-year-old man has been sentenced over his role in a Cobden burglary where jewellery and electronics were stolen. The Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court fined him three thousand dollars and placed him on a 15-month good behaviour bond. The man will return to court later this year over separate allegations.====...

Here is what is making news for September 04, 2025.=====================================In response to Greenpeace's claims of a methane leak cover-up - Conoco Phillips has rejected claims of the cover up. The US company will push ahead with it $65-million dollar drilling campaign in Victoria's Otway Basin.  ==========================================================================The Corangam...

Here is what is making news for September 3, 2025.===================================Three Colac firefighters are preparing to put themselves to the test in this year’s Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb. This Saturday Colac Firefighters Aidan Barnhart, Caitlin Harrison and Emir Akarsu will tackle 28 floors of Crown Metropol, wearing 25 kilograms of gear. =====================================...

Here is what is making news for September 2, 2025.=====================================September brings many health awareness campaigns with several felt across the Colac Otway region. Colac Area Health CEO Fiona Brew says the first week is recognised as women's health week while the month raises awareness for dementia. ==========================================================================Envi...

Here is what is making news for September 1, 2025.====================================The latest Bushfire Outlook for Spring from AFAC is warning of an early start to the fire season in Victoria. Drought-affected areas in the state’s west are facing an increased risk, according to the report. Acting Deputy Chief Officer for the CFA Western Region, Mark Gunning, says there are also concerning...

Here is what is making news for August 28, 2025.==============================Farmers across Corangamite Shire will receive a 40 per cent rebate on their rates and municipal charges this financial year. The relief comes after the State Government allocated more than five-point-two million dollars to Council from its thirty-five-million dollar drought support package for south-west Victoria. ======...

Here is what is making news for August 27, 2025====================================Andrew Tenni has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Colac Otway Shire. Councillors unanimously supported the appointment at today’s monthly Council Meeting, following a thorough recruitment process that attracted strong candidates. =========================================================...

Here is what is making news for August 26, 2025.===============================There's a push on Government to consider legislation that would ensure South West residents continue to have easy access to radio in their cars and on smart speakers. Commercial Radio and Audio are spearheading the push for prominent one button access especially in new cars.  =======================================...

Here is what is making news for August 25, 2025.==================================Nominations are now open for the Colac and District Chamber of Commerce's 2025 Business awards. The Chambers Jennifer Chiu confirmed that there are eight areas and several individual awards that business can nominate for. ====================================================================Camping season is returning...

Here is what is making news for August 22, 2025. ==================================== Bass Strait Freight is moving its cattle trade focus from Apollo Bay to Port Welshpool in Gippsland. Director David Harris says the port offers better facilities and stronger support from local authorities. Although a ban on vessels using Apollo Bay has been lifted, the company says it will continue its operation...

Here is what is making news for August 21, 2025.====================================================================Colac Otway and Corangamite locals are being called upon to nominate a local dad who is making a difference in grassroots sports for the annual Community Sports Dad of the year. ====================================================================Colac Otway Shire Council has secured...

Here is what is making news for August 20, 2025.====================================Instances of criminal damage have been on the rise across the Colac Otway region. Colac Police sergeant Michelle Delaney says instances have affected residents and also businesses. ========================================================================Restoration works will soon begin on two of Colac’s most...

Here is what is making news for August 15, 2025.===============================A brand-new Porsche didn’t last long in its new owner’s hands, with police impounding it just a day after purchase. Geelong Highway Patrol clocked the 60-year-old driver travelling at 158 kilometres an hour in an 80 zone on Cape Otway Road.==============================================================Colac O...

Here is what is making news for August 14, 2025.==================================Residents can have their say on updated flood mapping for the Curdies River Catchment. Corangamite Shire is holding drop-in sessions in Cobden and Timboon on Thursday 28 August to get feedback on modelling based on past flood events. ====================================================================The Victori...

Here is what is making news for August 13, 2025.===================================Farmers and agricultural workers in south-west Victoria impacted by drought can now apply for the Corangamite Catchment Management Authorities Drought Employment Program. CCMA CEO Amber Clarke says the initiative offers off-farm jobs in the Corangamite and Glenelg Hopkins regions, with flexible full or part-time rol...

Here is what is making news for August 12, 2025. ==========================Farmers and irrigators in the Great South Coast and Barwon regions are being invited to share their experiences managing water and coping with drought conditions. ====================================================A 45-year-old motorcyclist is in intensive care after hitting a wallaby near Simpson on Saturday. Emergency se...

Here is what is making news for August 11, 2025.==============================Serious charges against two men accused of chasing and shooting at a woman in Cobden have been dropped. The 40-year-old Cobden man and 26-year-old Camperdown man faced multiple firearm and reckless conduct charges from 2024. ============================================================With rainy and foggy weather expected...

Here is what is making news for August 08, 2025.==========================Ambulance Victoria is applauding locals for helping free up paramedics for emergencies, with demand for urgent ambulances down across the Barwon South West region. Between April and June, crews responded to over seven-thousand Code 1 cases in the region — slightly fewer than last year — as more people chose alter...

Here is what is making news for August 07, 2025.=======================The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority is preparing a new Regional Waterway Strategy to guide investment over the next decade. The strategy aims to align priorities and focus areas for agencies, landholders and community groups caring for the region’s rivers and wetlands. ==========================================...

Here is what is making news for August 6, 2025.===========================Cressy Aerodrome is preparing to host a Victory in the Pacific commemoration on August 16. Cressy Aerodrome owner Paul Lamont says the evening will include a service, guest speakers, a two-course meal and live entertainment from the Pacific Belles.======================================================Investigative works are...

Here is what is making news for August 8, 2025.======================South-west livestock farmers are being invited to a free webinar on Monday, August 11, to learn how urea can boost pasture growth this winter. Agriculture Victoria’s Nick Linden says new trials show applying 75 kilograms per hectare can more than triple pasture growth — vital for farmers facing drought feed shortages....

Here is what is making news for August 4, 2025.===================================A minor earthquake has been recorded off the coast of Apollo Bay. Geoscience Australia says the 2-point-5 magnitude tremor struck at a depth of 10 kilometres just before midnight on Saturday. =================================== ===================================V/Line has appointed William Tieppo as its new Chief Ex...

Here is what is making news across for August 1st.=================================Women in Colac and nearby towns living with cancer are being invited to a free wellbeing day aimed at supporting physical, emotional and social health. The Colac Wellbeing Day will be held at the Colac Bowling Club on Thursday September 4 and is open to women with a cancer diagnosis, as well as a support person. ===...

Here is what is making news for July 31, 2025.===========================Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism has launched the Great Accessible Road Trip campaign, celebrating inclusive travel along Victoria’s coastline. ======================================================The Lifeblood Mobile Donation Centre left Colac yesterday but will back back on August 5. Changes have been made to make i...

Here is what is making news for July 29, 2025.==========================Overgrazing from animals outside herd numbers has become an increasing issue across the south west with Scotts Creek farmer and Corangamite councillor Jamie Vogels saying kangaroo numbers have more than doubled since a nearby blue gum plantation was established. Cr Vogels says hundreds of roos and rising deer numbers are damag...