Here is what is making news for July 20, 2026.====================================Grant recipients were awarded and recognised at COPACC on Friday with more than $300,000 awarded to community groups, events, and businesses with the addition of the trees for farms grants.

Colac Otway Shire Mayor Jason Schram says the day is incredibly rewarding and recognising those making a difference across the Colac Otway region.
========================================================================Among the Colac Otway Shire's Grant recipients on Friday were the Geelong and South West Heritage Rail Society.

They focus on preserving local railway history, research, and restoring historic infrastructure, most notably the historic Birregurra Railway Station.

Presidents of the Society Don Lidgerwood says the grant money of $1,320 dollars to upgrade the station room, is essential to the clubs survival.
========================================================================Across the Colac Otway and Corangamite regions, eligible primary producers can now access five-thousand dollars in financial support following a recent drought period.========================================================================Tenants across the Colac Otway and Corangamite L-G-As are facing higher living costs as regional Victorian rents reach record peaks.

The latest Domain Rent Report shows weekly rents in Corangamite rose eight point four per cent annually, increasing from four-hundred-and-fifteen dollars to four-hundred-and-fifty dollars.

In the Colac Otway Shire, median rents increased six point four per cent to reach five-hundred dollars per week. 
========================================================================In Colac, road safety improvement works on Connor Street have been delayed following a review of the project scope.

The upgrades, spanning between Hart Street and Corangamite Street, were originally set to begin on Tuesday, July twenty-first, but are now scheduled for the second week of August.

Council CEO Andrew Tenni confirmed the revised plans mean no permanent loss of on-street parking. 
========================================================================A residential property at forty-one Edmundson Street in Birregurra has been listed on the market by Charles Stewart Real Estate.

Constructed by local builder B-D-H, the three-bedroom home is situated on six-thousand-one-hundred-and-eighty-nine square metres of land.

The property incorporates sustainability features including double glazing, solar power, and a Tesla battery system with electric vehicle charging capabilities. 
========================================================================Member for Wannon Dan Tehan will be travelling across the Colac Otway region this week to chat all things local business.

Mr Tehan has used the parliamentary recess over winter to see local small businesses across the electorate.
========================================================================AND IN SPORTColac Tigers footballer Micah Robb enjoyed a successful first hit out in the VFL with the Werribee Tigers beating Port Melbourne by 38 Points.

In other state league action Cobden's Rhys Unwin and the Essendon Bombers had a convincing 53 point win over Coburg.
========================================================================There was an even mixture of smashings and close fixtures in this weekends round of CDFNL action.

Lorne pumped Otway Districts by 144 points.

and the Colac Imperials dismantled Western Eagles by 105.

Alvie narrowly won by 5 against Irrewarra-Beeac.

South Colac all but ended Birregurra's finals chances with an 8 point win.

AND to round out the football results Simpson beat Apollo Bay by 29.

Over on the netball courts Otway beat Lorne by 3.

South Colac beat Birregurra by 4.

Simpson won by 27 against Apollo Bay.

Irrewarra-Beeac smashed Alvie 31.

AND the Colac Imperials had a 13 goal win against the Western Eagles.
========================================================================The Colac Tigers suffered a 10 point loss at the hands of Bell Park in the football over the weekend.

The win now sees the Colac Tigers two wins outside the final five.

Over on the netball court the Colac Tigers lost by 24 goals to Bell Park.
========================================================================In this weekends Hampden League football action it was 4 from 4 for the regions senior football and netball teams.

Cobden had a 39 point win over Hamilton, while Camperdown produced the upset of the football round with a 50 point win over the Warrnambool Blues.

Over on the netball court both the regions sides had wins, with Cobden downing Hamilton by 44 goals, and Camperdown recording a close win over Warrnambool Blues by 4.
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