Council Sets Sights on Prosperity and Investment
Published on 25 August 2026
Colac Otway Shire Council has adopted the Colac Otway Economic Development Framework 2026-2036, providing a long-term roadmap to support investment, business growth, workforce attraction and community prosperity across the municipality.
The framework establishes Council's vision for economic development over the next decade and is supported by a ten-year Action Plan that will guide implementation through annual work plans, advocacy priorities and investment attraction activities.
Mayor Jason Schram said the framework provided a clear direction for supporting the local economy and strengthening opportunities for businesses, residents and future investment.
"This framework sets out a clear vision for the future of Colac Otway and identifies the areas where Council can play a meaningful role in supporting economic prosperity," Cr Schram said.
"It recognises our strengths in areas such as food and fibre, manufacturing, tourism and liveability, while also focusing on the opportunities and challenges that will shape our economy over the next decade.
"Importantly, the framework is not just a strategy, it provides a pathway for implementation through advocacy, partnerships and annual work planning to ensure we continue turning opportunities into outcomes for our community," he said.
“We appreciate the input of the business community, who have worked with us on this project.”
Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Tenni said the Framework represented a shift towards investment readiness, delivery and long-term economic prosperity.
"Economic development is about creating the conditions for businesses, industries and communities to prosper," Mr Tenni said.
"The Framework focuses on making Colac Otway an attractive place to invest, do business, live, work and visit. It provides a clear direction while also ensuring we remain flexible enough to respond to changing economic conditions and emerging opportunities.
"We've also placed a strong emphasis on communicating what makes Colac Otway competitive. Increasingly, investors, businesses and government agencies are researching locations through digital and AI-powered tools, so it's important that our economic strengths, opportunities and competitive advantages are clearly articulated,” Mr Tenni said.
"The Framework helps tell the Colac Otway story. It explains not just what we want to achieve, but why this region is an attractive place for investment, innovation and growth."
The Framework's vision is for Colac Otway to become one of Victoria's most investment-ready regional municipalities, where businesses grow with confidence, industries remain competitive, visitors stay longer, people choose to live and work, and communities prosper.
Implementation will occur through the accompanying Action Plan, annual business planning processes and ongoing advocacy activities, with progress monitored and reported through Council's Economic Development Scorecard.
The Economic Development Framework 2026-2036 is available on our Strategies & Plans webpage.