Council services and operations over Christmas and New Year
Published on 14 December 2022
On behalf of Mayor, Councillors, Management and Staff we wish our community a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. We look forward to working together in 2023.
Council’s Customer Service Centres
The Colac Customer Service Centre will close at 3pm on Friday 23 December and reopen at 8.30am Tuesday 3 January. Customer Service Officers in Apollo Bay will also be on leave from 3pm Friday 23 December to 9am Tuesday 3 January (GORVIC will be open for visitor enquiries, please note operational information below).
An after-hours phone service will operate for any urgent or animal related matters. Please call 5232 9400. For any non-urgent matters, please email inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au or submit a request through Council’s website.
Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre (GORVIC) - Apollo Bay
(100 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay)
GORVIC will be closed Christmas Day, open all other days from 9am to 5pm for visitor enquiries.
Colac Visitor Information Centre
(corner of Murray and Queen Street, Colac)
Open 7-days a week, closed Christmas Day.
Monday to Thursday - 9am to 5pm
Friday - 10am to 6pm
Saturday - 9am to 4pm
Sunday - 9am to 4pm
Waste Services
Kerbside Collection
There is no change to kerbside collections over Christmas and New Year. Please put your bins out on regular collection days.
Additional Recycling Services
Council is offering WEEKLY yellow bin collections (for hard plastics, aluminium/steel and paper cardboard recycling) commencing just before Christmas, through to the end of January.
- Extra yellow bin collection for Week 2 areas start 19 December through to week beginning 16 January.
- Extra yellow bin collection for Week 1 areas start 26 December through to week beginning 23 January.
To find out your collection days search “When Will My Bin Be Collected” on Council’s website or download the GoodSort App – www.colacotway.vic.gov.au
Free Glass Disposal
Council is offering FREE glass disposal at our Transfer Stations in Apollo Bay, Alvie, Birregurra, and at our Drop-Off Facilities at Beech Forest, Carlisle River, Gellibrand and Lavers Hill over Christmas and during January.
Transfer Stations
Apollo Bay and Alvie Transfer Stations will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and open every other day from 10am – 2pm.
The Birregurra Transfer Station will be open Saturday 24 and 31 December from 10am – 4pm, instead of Sunday during the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day weekends. It will return to normal days of operation from Sunday 8 January.
Drop-Off Facilities
Beech Forest open New Year’s Eve and every Saturday in January from 8.30am to 11.30am.
Lavers Hill open New Year’s Eve and every Saturday in January from 12pm – 4pm.
Carlisle River closed Christmas Day, open New Year’s Day and every Sunday in January from 8.30am to 11.30am.
Gellibrand closed Christmas Day, open New Year’s Day and every Sunday in January from 12pm to 3pm.
Maternal and Child Health (MACH) Services
Colac MACH Services will close at 12pm on Friday 23 December and reopen on Tuesday 3 January.
The last MACH session in Apollo Bay will be Monday 19 December. The centre will reopen on Tuesday 3rd January.
If you need to speak to a Maternal and Child Health Nurse during the Christmas period, we encourage you to ring the 24-hour Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29. If your baby is unwell please contact your closest medical service.
Older Persons and Ability Support Service (OPASS)
OPASS will close at 3pm Friday 23 December and reopen at 8.30am Tuesday 3 January.
Home Care and Community Transport - The last day for general home care and community transport will be Friday 23 December. These services will recommence Tuesday 3 January.
Personal Care – Will continue as normal, however a change in time may occur due to staffing during this period.
Meals on Wheels – will be delivered (full order) on Friday 23rd December and will recommence to normal delivery dates on the 3rd January 2023.
Bluewater Leisure Centre
Opening hours over Christmas and New Year:
- Friday 23 December, 6am – 7pm
- Saturday 24 December, 8am to 12pm
- Sunday 25 and Monday 26 December – CLOSED (access available for members with 24/7 gym access)
- Tuesday 27 December to Monday 2 January, 10am to 4pm
Normal operating hours resume Tuesday 3 January. For more information on Bluewater, visit www.bluewater.org.au
Colac Regional Saleyards
The last sale of the year will be held on Thursday 15 December. Sales will resume at the Colac Regional Saleyards with the Weaner Sale on 4 January 2023. The first Fat Sale will take place on Thursday 12 January.
COPACC
The COPACC office will be closed from 3pm Friday 23 December to 9am Tuesday 3 January 2023.
For Colac Cinema hours of operation please visit the Colac Cinema Website or call 5232 2077.