Welcome to the Central Otways.

COLN supports landholders and community groups in Colac, Barongarook (Barongarook Creek catchment), Barongarook West (Deans and Spring Gully Creek catchment), Yeo, Yeodene, Elliminyt, Kawarren, Gellibrand, Beech Forest, Ferguson, Weeaproinah, Carlisle River, Stony Rises, Alvie and around the southern end of Lake Corangamite.

What is COLN?
Central Otway Landcare Network (COLN) is a group of Landcare, community groups and individuals in the Central Otways who strive for sustainable agricultural production, local food and fibre awareness, food security, increased, improved, connected and resilient biodiversity, clean water, enhanced waterways and healthy soil. Our philosophy - Healthy resilient landscapes make for healthy resilient communities.
The network supports a grass roots approach to pest plant and animal management and actively promotes the importance of whole farm/property planning.

Through the support of the Victorian Government and its Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program, as well as partnerships and project delivery, COLN employ a full time Facilitator and occasionally casual project officers. We also have a casual works crew.

Organisations we support and/or partner with:

Landcare focus -
Barongarook Landcare Group, Land and Water Resources Otway Catchments (LAWROC), Carlisle River Community Group (in recession), The Ridge Landcare Group (Beech Forest-Ferguson), Stony Rises Landcare Group and Alvie Tree Planting Group.

Community Groups and Schools -
Rotary of Colac West, Colac Lions, Otway District Cubs and Scouts, Colac Mens Shed, Old Beechy Rail Trail Friends’ Group, Colac Secondary College, Trinity College, Elliminyt Primary School Colac East Primary School, Colac West Primary School, Thomas Carr College and Deans Marsh Primary School.

Agency stakeholders –
Department of Environment and Energy, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Parks Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Department of Economic Development Jobs Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) Colac Otway Shire and Corangamite Council.

Non-government organisations -
Otway Community Conservation Network (OCCN), Greening Australia, Trust for Nature, Southern Farming Systems, GenU Community Services Inc and many large and small businesses in the Colac industrial estate.

Surrounding Landcare Networks -
Heytesbury District Landcare Network, Southern Otway Landcare Network and Upper Barwon Landcare Network.