Positive response to Colac Otway advocacy
Published on 21 February 2019
Positive response to Colac Otway advocacy
Colac Otway Shire Mayor Jason Schram is confident that regardless of the outcome of this year’s Federal Election, the three City Deal projects along the Great Ocean Road will receive funding.
Cr Schram and Colac Otway Chief Executive Peter Brown joined a G21 Delegation in Canberra this week, meeting with politicians of both sides of politics and calling for bipartisan support for the City Deal which includes a Federal Government funding commitment for the Apollo Bay Harbour Precinct, Skenes Creek Walk and Kennett River infrastructure.
The visit also provided an opportunity for Cr Schram and Mr Brown to discuss Colac Otway’s priority projects with Wannon MP Dan Tehan and Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson.
“We had an excellent hearing from the Government and the Opposition, with both sides taking a strong interest in Colac Otway projects and were across our needs,” Cr Schram said.
“We didn’t walk away with a firm commitment that the Opposition would fund our City Deal projects if elected, but their response to the Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek and Kennett River projects was positive.
“For City Deal to happen we need the State and Federal Governments to sign off and it looks unlikely that will happen before the Federal Election.
“However having this opportunity to discuss the benefits of our three key City Deal projects to Anthony Albanese, Richard Marles, Alan Tudge and Prime Minister Scott Morrison was important and well received.
“I spent time with Dan Tehan going through every priority project of Colac Otway Shire, including state projects, environmental projects, community and sporting facilities such as Colac’s regional velodrome and Lake Colac.
“I had a couple of other opportunities to talk about Lake Colac with other politicians and we probably spent about 20 minutes in the Prime Minister’s office where we were able to discuss the significance of funding for the Apollo Bay Habour.
“We are now looking forward to meeting again with Dan Tehan in Colac and other candidates for Wannon and Corangamite to secure for funding commitments from all sides of politics in the lead-up to the Federal Election.”