As part of the South Coast of Victoria Local Jobs Program’s Talking Transport project, community members, employers, education providers, government agencies and not-for-profit organisations came together in Colac to explore how transport can better connect people to employment, education, training and essential services. Facilitated by Kelly Mason, CEO of Bounce Global, the workshop used an Appreciative Inquiry approach to identify strengths, opportunities and practical local solutions.
Participants highlighted that Colac already has a strong transport foundation, including V/Line services, local buses, taxi networks, volunteer driver programs and employer-led transport initiatives. The focus was not on creating entirely new systems, but on improving coordination, awareness and accessibility to help more people participate in work, study and community life.
Key opportunities identified included better train and bus connections, expanded transport options for outer communities, stronger licensing pathways for young people, and digitally enabled solutions to make transport services easier to find and use.
The conversation doesn’t stop here. If you’re passionate about improving access to jobs, training and education across our region, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can turn community ideas into practical action.
For more information about the Talking Transport project or to get involved in future discussions, contact Angela.Williams@localjobs.org.au.
The report can be found here Talking Transport Colac Report
