Here is what is making news for November 4, 2026.=======================================The clean-up of dead carp in Colac's Barongarook Creek is ramping up after a successful trial using a vacuum pump method.

The Colac Otway Shire Council and DEECA are managing the works, splitting responsibilities north and south of Murray Street.

The mass fish deaths are believed to be a natural event caused by a lack of oxygen during breeding season.

Supported by the E-P-A and Catchment Management Authority, authorities are thanking the community for their patience as the clean-up continues.
==============================================================================The planning permit for the Cobden Battery Energy Storage System has officially been approved.

Developer A-R-E-S says construction is not expected to commence until late twenty-twenty-seven, pending final grid connection approvals.

In the meantime, technical grid studies and detailed construction designs will continue. 
==============================================================================The Corangamite Shire Council has approved a request to convert a portion of Jaycee Park into a new car park.

Mayor Kate Makin says the decision, finalised at Council's October meeting, will support the much-needed expansion of Camperdown's Sunnyside House.
==============================================================================Time is running out to nominate a local hero for the twenty-twenty-seven Colac Otway Shire Community Awards.

Nominations close at midnight next Monday, November nine.

Colac Otway Shire Manager of Economy and Creative Industries Heidi Taylor says the awards recognise dedicated volunteers, youth leaders, and community groups, with winners announced on Australia Day.
==============================================================================WINCHELSEA SCHOOL PLEDGE - EMBARGOED UNTIL 8.45AM - WILL RUN IN HEADLINES==============================================================================South West TAFE has won its first Wurreker Award in over twenty years, recognised for a pioneering vocational course tailored to Indigenous students.
==============================================================================Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan recently welcomed local farmers to Parliament, including Pomborneit's Ben Bennett.

The group used the visit to discuss the Australia-E-U Free Trade Agreement, strongly urging the Federal Government to carve the dairy industry out of the deal.
==============================================================================AND IN SPORTColac ultra-marathon runner Hayden Morrow has claimed a top-ten finish in the gruelling twenty-twenty-six King of the Hill endurance race.

Morrow finished in ninth place after running for more than forty consecutive hours.

Pushing through exhaustion, he completed fifty-seven laps of the six-point-seven-one-kilometre trail route, covering a massive total distance of more than three-hundred-and-eighty-two kilometres.
==============================================================================Colac locals are gearing up for the coast, with the Powercor Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf returning on January 8 and 9.

The massive weekend will draw over seven-and-a-half-thousand participants to the Surf Coast, raising vital funds for the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club.

Newly appointed Club President Kate Eriksson will lead the forty-seventh edition of the iconic event.

Entries are expected to be hotly contested, following Lani Pallister and Sam Short's historic wins last summer.
==============================================================================A full slate of CDCA women's cricket matches got underway over the weekend.

Pomborneit Gold had a big win over Irrewarra, while Carlisle River had a win against Pomborneit Maroon.

Apollo Bay beat West Warrion, and Birregurra had a narrow win against Colac.

To round out results Simpson had a good win against Tomahawk Creek.
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