Have your say into the Colac Civic Health and Rail Precinct Project

Published on 18 October 2021

Old Beechy Rail Trail image

Council is seeking input from stakeholders, community groups and individuals into the Colac Civic Health and Rail Precinct Plan, which addresses land use and infrastructure in the precinct, with a callout for members of the community to attend a series of planning workshops running in November.

“Council and community together have an exciting opportunity to plan for the revitalisation and redevelopment of this precinct, which will have significant social and economic benefits to the shire,” said Colac Otway Shire Council CEO Anne Howard. “Having a plan in place will support future investment in the precinct and in Colac – we encourage anyone with a vision for this area to be part of these workshops.”

The Precinct Plan seeks to improve accessibility and connectivity, including car parking, throughout the precinct, with the workshops aiming to identify the community’s vision and aspirations for key facilities and services, such as COPACC, the Colac Train Station, Colac Otway Shire Council’s administration offices and the Colac Hospital (Colac Area Health).

“The development of a coordinated plan for the area will ensure we’re able to meet the needs of a future community and its key occupants, including attracting new businesses and government organisations into the future,” said Ms Howard. “This aligns to the Colac 2050 Growth Plan which sets a vision for Colac to grow to a population of 20,000.”

The Precinct Plan will be created in partnership with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Colac Area Health (CAH), the Department of Transport and VicTrack. It is underpinned by recognition that the precinct development and activities are conducted upon the land of the Gulidjan and Gadubanud peoples, as the Traditional Custodians of the Colac region.

A follow-up workshop will be held later in the year to provide input into the options, with a preferred option to be identified. To register for the workshop (with a date to be determined), please email inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au. For further information on this project, please visit: www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/ColacCivicPrecinct.