FORREST POST THE

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and waters around us, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. We respect their cultural heritage, knowledge here in Forrest where the waters flow over Gadubanud and Gulidjan Country

When the new lessee of the caravan park took over they did say that they would talk to the annuals about checking on compliance issues that had been noted. We as annuals were aware that there would be sites that needed to be made compliant and we had no qualms with that, indeed we were happy to discuss. We were hoping for the opportunity to work with Belgravia Pro to meet compliance issues, but sadly that option, to date, has not been considered. After nearly 7 months of silence since the takeover we had our first formal contact with the upper echelon of Belgravia Pro and that was to inform us that they would be levelling the park and we would have to remove our vans at our own cost and then if we were interested in returning would have to apply via a ballot for the now limited amount of annual sites made available, all this having to be done by the end of June. After approaches from the group of committed annuals, Belgravia Pro said they would slow down the process so that we could digest all of this and try to make some sort of compromise. They did after a period come back to us and say that they would allow us all to apply for a site.....but that decision has to be made by the end of March and we still have to remove by end of June which seems more accelerated than slowed down, then rebuild after they carry out whatever works they intend to do. At this point in time they won’t tell us where we will end up in the revamped park, and what materials any annexes or flyovers will need to built in, I doubt very much we will be able to reuse what we have.

Leveling of the site in order to put in new plumbing seems pretty extreme and there was sadly no opportunity for the current annuals to explore ways in which to bring their dwellings up to code. Some of these vans have been owned by families for up to 25 years, some were purchased in the last few years, in some cases for substantial amounts. The fallout of this for quite a few people is not just financial as in some cases it will be very costly to remove, store and rebuild. Some of the vans have been in place for many years and will need to be transported away from the park on trucks and the disposal of materials will not only be wasteful but expensive. Aside from those issues it is going to have negative effects on the owners own well being and their feelings of self worth, issues that can’t be fixed by throwing money at them.

Despite the community engagement conducted during the lead up to the tendering process for the park, and the resulting paper that came from that, Belgravia Pro say they have never seen any info from that document and therefore the community’s wish for a pretty free form park without boom gates has been disregarded, and the value of the annuals to the economy of the town be it either financial, supporters of events, creators of events such as the Rock trivia night and as volunteers for the Mountain bike club or committees along the lines of Soupfest or neighborhood house will be overlooked.

Our own community of annuals are continuing to seek alternatives to a mass upheaval and destruction of our piece of paradise. We’ve been heartened by the support of friends, the people of Forrest and also that of the Community group. Our local state politician has offered some advice and we have some well qualified people looking into the process. The irony that we called our particular street “Highview Crescent” in homage to the movie “The Castle” many years ago has not been lost on us. Aside from a lot of exceptionally private and sensitive information they are asking from any potential current or new annuals to supply in any application, verging on an invasion of privacy, the process itself is proving to be demeaning and a disheartening experience, and that will for many detract from the “vibe” of the place.

Sandy Maxwell

Applications Now Open

The Colac Otway Shire Council Grants Program 2023 - 24 provides grants to assist funding projects and events that benefit the wider community and help in achieving goals and outcomes consistent with the 2021-2025 Council Plan through strong and resilient economies, natural and built environments and healthy and inclusive communities.

A total pool of $311,500* is available through three funding streams:

• Community Grants

• Events Grants

• Business Grants

*(subject to Council budget approval)

Information sessions will be available online. Please contact Council’s Grants Officer to register.

Wednesday 8 March 2023 at 12.30pm

Thursday 9 March 2023 at 5.45pm

How to apply

Visit Council’s website to review the NEW Guidelines and apply online at www.colacotway.vic.gov.au under ‘Apply for a Grant, Colac Otway Shire Grants Program 2023-2024’

Applications open 9am on Friday 3 March 2023 and close 5pm on Friday 14 April 2023. For assistance, contact Council’s Grants Officer on grants@colacotway.vic.gov.au or (03) 5232 9400

Join us for the presentation of the Colac Otway Community Awards at the Colac Kana Festival in Colac. Join in the festival fun on the day, and come and celebrate Colac Otway’s Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Service of the Year.

When: Saturday 18 March

Where: Colac Kana Festival stage in Memorial Square

Colac Otway Shire Council thanks the organisers of the Colac Kana Festival for including the awards in their program and look forward to celebrating at the festival.

The resignation of Cr Jamie Bell in January 2023 created an extraordinary vacancy within the Colac Otway Shire Council. The extraordinary vacancy will be filled through a countback conducted by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC). The countback will be streamed online through Microsoft Teams at 10am on Wednesday 1 March 2023. A link will be available on the VEC’s website on 9.30am on the morning of the countback. For more information please visit www.vec.vic.gov.au

The Forrest & District Neighbourhood House are seeking to expand our programs to include more senior centred activities. If you are aged 65+ and have a suggestion or recommendation for activities, please get in touch by calling 0493105502 or email forrest.nh@gmail.com. Examples could include social gatherings, exercise groups, outings, morning teas etc.

The Forrest Post is auspiced by the Forrest Men’s Shed. Every effort is made to remain current, accurate and non-partisan. Feedback, submissions and advertising are encouraged. Submissions may be edited. You can request an electronic version by email, find us on Facebook or online at issuu.com/theforrestpost for back issues Contact: theforrestpost@gmail.com

Editors: Susan Langridge, Marita Kennedy, Noor Petersen

Contributors Ian Davies, Adam Fry, Pauline Rostos, Mary Dracup, Marita Kennedy, Ruby Jackson, Noor Petersen, Sandy Maxwell

Design: Nasser Kotb Print: Forrest Primary School. All contributions to be received the 22nd of the month.