Here is what is making news for February 23, 2026.==================================New research from the Regional Australia Institute shows many Australians are still considering a move to the regions including Colac Otway and Corangamite regions.

More than one thousand people were surveyed about whether they plan to leave the city, when they’d do it and why.

External Affairs Director Amanda Barwick, says The data collected since 2020, shows a big shift in where people most want to live.
====================================================================Following last weeks announcement that the Catch-a-carp festival will return to the shores of Lake Colac, VFA CEO Travis Dowling says he expects this years instalment to be larger and build on last years event.
====================================================================Leaders from the Corangamite and Moyne shires have taken their fight for better renewable energy planning directly to the State Government.

During a high-level meeting with Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, regional mayors argued that wind farm developments must stay within designated Renewable Energy Zones.
====================================================================The Apollo Bay community is calling for urgent action to save the region’s copper landlines from being decommissioned.

Experts says the "old-fashioned" copper wire is a life-or-death necessity in the hinterland, where dense fog and heavy rain often kill mobile signals. 
====================================================================South West farmers are a step closer to being able to utilise virtual fencing... with the announcement this week of the first approved technology

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence confirmed Halter’s P5 electronic collar system is the first which can be used in Victoria====================================================================Winchelsea Transfer Station is the first in the region to launch bagMUSTER, a new industry-led program for recycling agricultural plastic.
====================================================================AND IN SPORTColac Bowls Club has booked their spot in the Corangamite Division 1 weekend Pennant Bowls competition after defeating City.

Colac will now take on the red hot favourites in Winchelsea this weekend.
====================================================================In this weekends Colac South West Premier Cricket Cobden faulted against the Storm, all out for 31 in a chase of 238.

City United defended its total of 260 against Apollo Bay.

Colac produced a win against Stoneyford in a top of the table clash.

Alvie easily defeated Simpson.

Birregurra smashed Irrewarra.

Bookhaar defeated Woorndoo

And Pomborneit won the Graham Hillman shield in its match against Camperdown Lakers.
====================================================================The Colac Kookas basketballers have capped off a successful first weekend of the Bulla Classic Basketball tournament.
 
The Under 18s girls won their division beating the Horsham Hornets by 2 in the grand final.

The Under 18s also won their division, capping it off with a grand final win against Geelong by 11 points.

The under 16s girls made the semi finals losing however to Warrnambool.====================================================================In Polwarth and District Tennis Association Matches - Pennyroyal White had a victory against Cororooke while Colac Lawn forfeited against Pennyroyal Gold.

In B grade, Colac lawn defeated Beeac, Deans Marsh won against Cororooke Blue.

Kawarren beat Coroorooke Gold while Apollo Bay smashed Warncoort.==================================
==================================

Here is what is making news for February 23, 2026.==================================New research from the Regional Australia Institute shows many Australians are still considering a move to the regions including Colac Otway and Corangamite regions. More than one thousand people were surveyed about whether they plan to leave the city, when they&rsquo;d do it and why. External Affairs Director Amanda Barwick, says The data collected since 2020, shows a big shift in where people most want to live. ====================================================================Following last weeks announcement that the Catch-a-carp festival will return to the shores of Lake Colac, VFA CEO Travis Dowling says he expects this years instalment to be larger and build on last years event. ====================================================================Leaders from the Corangamite and Moyne shires have taken their fight for better renewable energy planning directly to the State Government. During a high-level meeting with Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, regional mayors argued that wind farm developments must stay within designated Renewable Energy Zones. ====================================================================The Apollo Bay community is calling for urgent action to save the region&rsquo;s copper landlines from being decommissioned. Experts says the "old-fashioned" copper wire is a life-or-death necessity in the hinterland, where dense fog and heavy rain often kill mobile signals.&nbsp; ====================================================================South West farmers are a step closer to being able to utilise virtual fencing... with the announcement this week of the first approved technology Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence confirmed Halter&rsquo;s P5 electronic collar system is the first which can be used in Victoria====================================================================Winchelsea Transfer Station is the first in the region to launch bagMUSTER, a new industry-led program for recycling agricultural plastic. ====================================================================AND IN SPORTColac Bowls Club has booked their spot in the Corangamite Division 1 weekend Pennant Bowls competition after defeating City. Colac will now take on the red hot favourites in Winchelsea this weekend. ====================================================================In this weekends Colac South West Premier Cricket Cobden faulted against the Storm, all out for 31 in a chase of 238. City United defended its total of 260 against Apollo Bay. Colac produced a win against Stoneyford in a top of the table clash. Alvie easily defeated Simpson. Birregurra smashed Irrewarra. Bookhaar defeated Woorndoo And Pomborneit won the Graham Hillman shield in its match against Camperdown Lakers. ====================================================================The Colac Kookas basketballers have capped off a successful first weekend of the Bulla Classic Basketball tournament. &nbsp; The Under 18s girls won their division beating the Horsham Hornets by 2 in the grand final. The Under 18s also won their division, capping it off with a grand final win against Geelong by 11 points. The under 16s girls made the semi finals losing however to Warrnambool.====================================================================In Polwarth and District Tennis Association Matches - Pennyroyal White had a victory against Cororooke while Colac Lawn forfeited against Pennyroyal Gold. In B grade, Colac lawn defeated Beeac, Deans Marsh won against Cororooke Blue. Kawarren beat Coroorooke Gold while Apollo Bay smashed Warncoort.================================== ==================================

The latest local news and sport stories impacting South West Victoria.

Presented by the newsroom of 3CS & Mixx FM.