VIC · Barwon — Colac Otway · Local council, made simple
Colac Otway Shire Council
Colac Otway Shire Council serves about 22,000 people, from Colac and the lakes district to the Otway Ranges and the Great Ocean Road towns of Apollo Bay, Kennett River and Wye River. Seven councillors, elected shire-wide, choose the Mayor each year. The council runs your four bins, local roads, parks and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Colac Otway Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Council gathering feedback on Barongarook property
Have your say →
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: average rates +2.75% (state cap); waste charge $481 (+9.1%)
Open →Budget & financesColac Otway's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $2,023 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyColac Otway's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
8 of 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour seven councillors, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Jason Schram (Nov 2025 – Nov 2026)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and the 2024 result.
Next council election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, offices and address.
Phone: 03 5232 9400 (24 hours)
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 22,209 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
16 updatesAuto-collected from Colac Otway Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
Minister's visit a chance to highlight region's needs
Published on 16 September 2026 Council Otway Shire, in partnership with Regional Development Victoria, has hosted a roundtable meeting with Victorian Government Minister Michaela Settle discussing issues relating to her portfolios of Rural and Regional Development, Agriculture and Water.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Revenue and Rating Plan
On display until Wednesday, 07 October 2026 Council is seeking feedback on its Draft Revenue and Rating Plan.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Community Engagement Policy
On display until Wednesday, 07 October 2026 Council is seeking feedback on its Draft Community Engagement Policy.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Sarsfield Street Reconstruction Complete
Published on 15 September 2026 A key Separation Creek street has been given a major upgrade, with the completion of reconstruction works on Sarsfield Street.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Community invited to discuss Draft Revenue and Rating Plan
Published on 15 September 2026 Colac Otway Shire Council is encouraging residents, businesses and property owners to attend upcoming community drop-in and online sessions to learn more about its Draft Revenue and Rating Plan and its potential impacts.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Nominations now open for 2027 Community Awards
Published on 15 September 2026 The search is on for everyday heroes who make our region thrive, with nominations now open for the 2027 Colac Otway Shire Community Awards.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Strengthening business in our coastal communities
Published on 14 September 2026 Small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone with a great business idea are encouraged to connect with the Victorian Government's Small Business Bus when it visits Apollo Bay on Wednesday 21 October from 10am to 4pm.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Sports facilities on the agenda
Published on 14 September 2026 Colac Otway Shire leaders visited State Parliament last week to push the case for regional sporting infrastructure investment.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Major milestone reached in Pascoe Street upgrade
Published on 14 September 2026 Colac Otway Shire Council has marked a major milestone in the Pascoe Street upgrade project, with the completion and reopening of the new Moore Street and Pascoe Street roundabout and the reconstructed section of road in front of the adjoining shopping precinct.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Council gathering feedback on Barongarook property
Published on 24 September 2026 Council officers have met with residents and groups associated with the Barongarook Hall and tennis courts to get their input as Council considers the future of the site.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Council gathering feedback on the future of the Barongarook Hall site
Council officers met residents and groups about the future of the Barongarook Hall and tennis courts, next to the Old Beechy Rail Trail. The community committee that ran the hall was revoked in 2023 after it stopped operating. About a dozen people attended; the council says ideas were shared but there was little interest in the community running the facility.
What this means for you: The council will consider the site's future and says it will keep the community informed.
Source: Colac Otway Shire — News & Media
- Have your say
Have your say on the Draft Revenue and Rating Plan, by 7 October
The council is consulting on options to change its rating structure, including removing the municipal charge and introducing a public waste charge. Drop-in sessions were held in Colac (23 September) and Apollo Bay (30 September), with an online session on 1 October. Submissions close at 5pm on 7 October 2026.
What this means for you: The options would change how rates are shared between property types from 2027–28; you can make a submission online, by email, by post or in person.
Source: Colac Otway Shire — News & Media
- Development
Sarsfield Street, Separation Creek, reconstruction complete
Reconstruction of Sarsfield Street is finished, with a new road pavement, replaced kerb and channel, and a new stormwater pipe. Works have started on The Boulevard and Koonya Avenue in Wye River.
What this means for you: More coastal road works are underway in Wye River and Apollo Bay.
Source: Colac Otway Shire — News & Media
- Development
Pascoe Street, Apollo Bay: new roundabout and shopping-strip section reopen
The new Moore Street and Pascoe Street roundabout and the rebuilt road in front of the shops have reopened. The contractor is starting stage 4, from the off-street car park entrance to the Nelson Street roundabout, expected to finish in early October, weather permitting.
What this means for you: Expect works on the rest of Pascoe Street until about early October.
Source: Colac Otway Shire — News & Media
- Policy
Council adopts Road Upgrade Policy and Road Safety Strategy
The Road Upgrade Policy sets criteria for assessing and ranking requests to upgrade roads; it doesn't pick individual roads. The Road Safety Strategy has 19 actions across five themes and will inform future capital works and funding applications.
What this means for you: Requests to upgrade a road, such as sealing a gravel road, will be assessed against the published criteria.
Source: Colac Otway Shire — News & Media
- Policy
2026–27 rates notices sent; first instalment due 30 September
Rates notices for 2026–27 were sent by email or post from 28 August. The average rate rises 2.75%, in line with the state rate cap. The first instalment is due by 30 September; full payment is due by 15 February 2027. The state's ESVF levy is on the same notice.
What this means for you: Pay the first instalment by 30 September to stay on quarterly instalments; hardship help and payment plans are available.
Source: Colac Otway Shire — News & Media
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Colac Otway Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.