A Premier Location
COLAC is firmly within the Victorian Government's sights as a key hinterland city in its plans for promoting regional growth and supporting the international tourist mecca - the Great Ocean Road.
The State Government's Great Ocean Road Strategy is designed to encourage sustainable development in the region.
It nominated Colac as one of the towns key to the Government's plans for urban growth and improved prosperity though sustainable tourism and use of natural resources.
Colac's importance as a service hub, located on the key east-west highway between Melbourne and Adelaide, has been recognised by the Government in its pledge to improve transport links between the major cities.
With a low-cost flight company servicing Avalon Airport and work already underway on the Geelong Bypass, there is an increased air of confidence in the region and the Colac business community is enjoying its share of the region's growing prosperity.
Colac is surrounded by open countryside and recent changes to planning provisions means rural land is now protected under much tighter controls.
Residential locations such as Wyuna Estate, which are just a few minutes from Colac's city centre, but still near enough to the country to avoid that hemmed in feel of suburbia, are now at a premium.
Developers Brendan and Roslyn Scanlan, believe that with an average price of under $107,000, allotments at their Wyuna Estate represent great value for money for families, retirees or speculators wanting to invest in the region's economic growth.
For more information about the region, visit Colac Otway Shire's website.
Colac is vibrant, friendly and has lots to offer
Colac is a bustling and lively city of 10,000 people at the hub of the Colac Otway Shire.
It's a friendly town, with a strong sense of community where people take pride in their homes and gardens.
Good old-fashioned service is still on tap at the predominantly independent retail businesses which cover everything from food, fashion, furniture and gifts to tractor parts and new cars.
Because Colac supports more than 800 farms and in excess of 1,200 businesses the town is well-served in terms of shops, banks, business services, transport and government departments.
The town flanks the southern shore of picturesque Lake Colac and is 138km south-west of Melbourne, 74km south-west of Geelong and a little over 100km south of Ballarat.
There are bus and train connections to all major centres.
Most people are employed in agriculture, forestry, wholesale and retail trade, transport, manufacturing and community services. The local job market is buoyant.
Colac has a modern hospital which is considered a leader in the provision of rural healthcare. Colac Area Health provides emergency care 24 hours a day.
The town is served by a variety of State and Catholic primary and high schools, with TAFE subjects on offer. Plans are currently underway for the provision of tertiary education in Colac.
As the centre of the South West District, Colac's history dates to 1837 when pastoralist Hugh Murray pitched camp on the edge of Barongarook Creek. The town has a rich history in terms of its farming and timber industries.
