Here is what is making news for July 3, 2026.=================================Residents in the Colac Otway and Corangamite shires recovering from the January seventh bushfires can still access free government waste levy waivers.

While some general disposal programs concluded on June thirtieth, the Victorian Government has extended the state levy exemption until October twenty-eighth, twenty-twenty-six.

The waiver applies directly to disaster waste dropped off at local council transfer stations. 
==================================================================A new community organization has been established following the official merger of the Rotary Clubs of Colac and Colac West on Wednesday night.

Now operating as the Rotary Club of Colac Otway, the combined group marked the amalgamation at a dinner where the inaugural board was inducted.
==================================================================Corangamite Shire Council's newly adopted twenty-twenty-six to twenty-twenty-seven budget includes a nineteen point zero-five million dollar capital works program.
==================================================================Applications are now open for seasonal and ongoing forest firefighter positions across Victoria, including the state's south-west region.

Forest Fire Management Victoria is recruiting entry-level personnel for the upcoming bushfire season to work alongside permanent crews.
==================================================================The New lease arrangement between the Colac Otway Shire and Management Group IVG has officially begun.

Centre Manager James Wholate says he can't wait to implement some new and fresh ideas at the centre.
==================================================================Renters across Colac Otway and Corangamite regions will now be able to transfer their bond from one property to another, in what is being described as a major win and removing one of the biggest up front moving costs
==================================================================The Corangamite Shire Council has commissioned a legal review into the state government's approval of the Mumblin wind farm.

The eight-turbine project, located on a one-thousand-four-hundred-and-ninety-six-hectare site south-west of Cobden, was recently approved by the planning minister. 
==================================================================AND IN SPORTIt's one more sleep until Colac's Zara Walters is playing in the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final.

It's marks Zara's fifth grand final in a row, with two for the Colac Tigers, a defeat for the Vixens and last years Grand Final success.
==================================================================In this weekends CDFNL Fixtures, Otway Districts host Irrewarra-Beeac.

South Colac will play Alvie.

Its massive football and netball clash as the Colac Imperials take on Lorne.

Apollo Bay will face Birregurra.

and the Western Eagles face off against Simpson.
==================================================================Four under-fifteen netballers from the Colac District Football Netball League have been talent-identified following the Association Championships.

Lilah Morris, Milah Crole, Addison Rocka, and Lily Tuvakasuka have received invitations to trial for the twenty-twenty-seven Netball Victoria Talent Academy.

The players represent the Western Eagles, Simpson, South Colac, and Apollo Bay clubs.
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