Central Otway Landcare Network

30/10/2026

It’s back! The Otway Biofest returns for another year where community and science join forces, learning about what species make up the biodiversity of the Otway Ranges and collecting data to contribute to the

The last weekend of spring (27-29th Nov.) will see groups exploring the Otways day and night, lead by local specialists.

Schedule and tickets will be available very soon, follow our socials and join our mailing list to be first to see them!

25/10/2026

Get your hands dirty these school holidays with Council's Youth Engagement Team and the crew from Farm My School Colac.

The Youth Farming Futures Workshop is a FREE event for young people who live, study or work in Colac Otway.

The Youth Farming Futures Workshop is a hands-on experience where you’ll learn about Farm My School, explore the farm, and discover how healthy, sustainable food systems work. Along the way, you’ll taste fresh produce and take part in interactive, hands-on activities.

This workshop is on Tuesday 30 June at 10 am - book your place now - visit www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/events

10/09/2026

🌱Community Planting Day – Barongarook Creek - Sunday 13 September🌱

You’re invited to get involved in a series of GreenLinks community planting days along Barongarook Creek.

Join the Central Otway Landcare Network and roll up your sleeves to help restore Barongarook Creek!

Our next event is on:
📆Date: Sunday 13 September 2026
⏰Time: 9.30 am to 11.30
📍Location: Colac Unearthed - Visitor Information Centre.

Whether you're an experienced gardener or trying planting for the first time, everyone is welcome. This is a great opportunity to make a hands-on contribution to the environment and help restore an important local waterway.

The planting days will be facilitated by the Central Otway Landcare Network, whose team will provide guidance and support throughout the event.

The next planting day will be held on Friday 16 October.

Visit www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/events for more information.

10/09/2026

See details for community planting here. Meeting at Colac Visitor Information Centre 9.30-11.30am. Bring some gloves 🙏. Looking forward to it folks.

09/09/2026

Great to see these sessions coming together folks. Thanks Ivan, for facilitating the activities with the FMS crew. What a great initiative 👏

24/08/2026

See you Friday folks!

🌱Community Planting Day – Barongarook Creek - Friday 28 August🌱

Roll up your sleeves and help restore Barongarook Creek!
You’re invited to get involved in a series of GreenLinks community planting days along Barongarook Creek.

Our next event is on:
📆Date: Friday 28 August
⏰Time: 9.30 am to 11.30
📍Location: Barongarook Creek between Harris Street and George Street, Colac.

Whether you're an experienced gardener or trying planting for the first time, everyone is welcome. This is a great opportunity to make a hands-on contribution to the environment and help restore an important local waterway.

The planting days will be facilitated by the Central Otway Landcare Network, whose team will provide guidance and support throughout the event.

Additional planting days will be held on Sunday 13 September and Friday 16 October.

Visit www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/events for more information.

13/08/2026

Only five days left to secure your tickets to the 2026 Victorian Landcare Forum.

This year's forum has something for everyone, with more than 40 local and state landcare experts sharing their knowledge, experiences, and insights over three engaging days.

Don't miss out on highlights such as plenary sessions, concurrent presentations, a special dinner celebrating 40 years of Landcare, and two fantastic bus tours.

🗓️ When: August 31 - September 2
📍 Where: Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham
🎟️ Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-vlf
🔍 More info and program: https://landcarevictoria.org.au/2026forum

Get your tickets before Monday, 17 August!

03/08/2026

🌱 Roll up your sleeves and help restore Barongarook Creek! 🌱

Colac Otway Shire Council is inviting community members to get involved in a series of GreenLinks community planting days along Barongarook Creek.

The first planting day will be held on Friday 7 August from 9.30 am to 11.30 am between Harris Street and George Street, Colac.

Additional planting days: 📅 Friday 28 August 📅 Sunday 13 September 📅 Friday 16 October

Whether you're an experienced gardener or trying planting for the first time, everyone is welcome. This is a great opportunity to make a hands-on contribution to the environment and help restore an important local waterway.

The planting days will be facilitated by the Central Otway Landcare Network, whose team will provide guidance and support throughout the event.

✅ Bring a hat ✅ Wear sturdy shoes ✅ Bring plenty of enthusiasm

03/08/2026

Look forward to restoring Barongarook Creek with you folks. See you Friday.

🌱 Roll up your sleeves and help restore Barongarook Creek! 🌱

Colac Otway Shire Council is inviting community members to get involved in a series of GreenLinks community planting days along Barongarook Creek.

The first planting day will be held on Friday 7 August from 9.30 am to 11.30 am between Harris Street and George Street, Colac.

Additional planting days: 📅 Friday 28 August 📅 Sunday 13 September 📅 Friday 16 October

Whether you're an experienced gardener or trying planting for the first time, everyone is welcome. This is a great opportunity to make a hands-on contribution to the environment and help restore an important local waterway.

The planting days will be facilitated by the Central Otway Landcare Network, whose team will provide guidance and support throughout the event.

✅ Bring a hat ✅ Wear sturdy shoes ✅ Bring plenty of enthusiasm

05/06/2026

Launched at the most recent Grounded event - Yan Yan Gurt West, Deans Marsh, Victoria.

Resilient Farming Course is still open for Central Otway Farmers, but not form long...

Central Otway farmers have the opportunity to build practical skills and knowledge through a new Resilient Farming Course, now open for applications.

Delivered through the Central Otway Landcare Network, the course offers 10 heavily subsidised places for local farming businesses.

The program will run over five days between August and November 2026, combining expert-led sessions with hands-on learning on local farms.

Tailored to the Central Otway environment, the course will explore soil health and carbon, grazing systems, pasture management and fertiliser use. It will also focus on helping farmers monitor and understand changes within their own farming systems over time.

Project lead Kristy Stewart said the course is designed to support locally relevant learning.
“This is an opportunity for farmers to take a closer look at their own systems, supported by testing and analysis, and to develop a practical Farm Action Plan,” she said.

Participants will receive soil, microbiology and plant tissue testing as part of the program.
Sessions will be delivered across the Central Otway region, with a focus on shared learning and local connection. A peer learning group will continue beyond the course to support ongoing knowledge exchange.

Valued at approximately $5,000, the course is subsidised, with a $300 contribution from participants.

Applications close 14 June 2026.

For more information or to apply, contact Central Otway Landcare Network - [email protected]

This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.