Upcoming Cape events
Summer get together at the amphitheatre 12 December…
Please add 12 December, 4:00pm to 6:00pm to your diary for a summer get together at the Cape Amphitheatre. This will be the fourth and last OCC-organised social event for the year.
Come along to our beautiful outdoor venue, and if possible bring nibbles and refreshments to share. OCC members attend when they can, so it’s an opportunity to have a chat with them too.
Fire preparation practice, 22 November…
Look around – we are surrounded on three sides by land susceptible to fire. Tad Henry, long-term Cape resident and Cape Paterson CFA member, is running a pre-summer fire preparation practice with a CFA Community Liaison Officer on Sunday 22 November at 10.00-11.30 at Kate and Phil’s house, 6 Seastar Street. With his wide experience, Tad knows only too well how devastating the impact of fire can be.
This practical event will give you a basic understanding of how to prepare for the fire season, and what to do in the event of a fire occurring – this is particularly relevant as we head into forecasted El Niño conditions this summer. Please add this event to your diary.
OCC update
The OCC meets about once a month at a rotating venue to consider issues relating to its remit (as described in the July 2026 Newsletter along with an introduction to OCC members). Updates from some of this month’s OCC work follow.
Wildlife talk: planned becomes impromptu…
Last month, the OCC organised Dr Pam Whitely from Melbourne University to present a ‘walk and talk’ on 6 November to give residents some responses to questions such as how we can better protect our wildlife. Unfortunately, a real-life wildlife challenge in Dr Pam’s area of expertise and work intervened, and she was unable to make the journey to The Cape.
So… our ‘in-house’ (retired) scientist Dr Peter Davies jumped into the breach and shared his wide-ranging scientific knowledge including international research on fascinating topics such as influenza in animals and humans, and disease control for pigs.
Peter also conveyed important information from Dr Pam on H5N1 Bird Flu – if you see dead or sick wildlife: AVOID contact, RECORD what you see, REPORT on 1800675888. Visit the Agriculture Victoria website for information. We’ll try to reschedule Dr Pam in the future.
Landscape and common property maintenance
Following concerns expressed about tree and landscape works undertaken by the maintenance team in mid October, Ace Body Corporate forwarded an OCC email to all owners providing documents from the Developer on landscape management and the use of weeding chemicals. We will add those documents to Our Cape Life soon.
Also, the OCC is actively working to improve communication between the OCC and the maintenance crew, and The Cape community. Please direct any maintenance requests or requests for information about maintenance to the OCC at capeocc@ourcapelife.org
Future management models for The Cape
First, some background in case you are not sure of the owners corporation (OC) model. The Cape is an OC (under the Plan of subdivision PS719593L). Owning a lot in an OC is not the same as owning a stand-alone home.
Here, you do own your own lot but you share, equally with all other lot owners, ownership of the common property (such as the dog park, playground, amphitheatre and EV chargers). And, as such, you also share equally the costs and benefits associated with common property. Each lot owner is automatically an OC member, and its rules bind owners and tenants alike. At the annual AGM, members elect a volunteer committee (the OCC) to represent owners. Ace Body Corporate, our professional manager, handles levies, insurance, records and meetings as explained on the page Cape OC Management.
At this stage, The Cape is still a developing estate, so for now the Developer manages day-to-day maintenance of the common property, and the OCC works closely with them. Once all lots are sold, that responsibility passes to lot owners. Therefore, in the next few years there will be a switch from a Developer-managed maintenance team to an OCC-managed team.
In preparation, the OCC is commencing a process to identify preferred future management models and pathways for implementation, which will be developed with community input. Questions are always welcome at capeocc@ourcapelife.org
Policies
The OCC is preparing the policies required to meet formal obligations and ensure consistency. This work will also assist future OCCs, especially after formal handover from the Developer.
The policies are not only pertinent to the OCC itself, but also to all lot owners. For example, the draft Communication Policy describes communication channels for lot owners. That policy, and the draft Privacy Policy and Infrastructure Policy are posted on the page Cape OCC Policies for community comment. (Remember, the policies we’ve published are draft as at 10 November. We’ve since had feedback from the OC Manager on the Infrastructure Policy and have yet to incorporate that.) Email any comments before 1 December to capeocc@ourcapelife.org
Sports precinct
Work has recently been completed to cover graffiti on the hitting wall. Once the tape was removed, the remaining colour was agreed to provide an interesting effect so it was left.
Mowing of lots
One of the recent matters attended to by the OCC was to email lot owners whose lots were considered overgrown to request mowing. While keeping your lots mown is important for fire safety, it’s also important from a neighbourly and community perspective.
Fire isn’t the only reason we ask owners to keep lots mown. Longer grass along a boundary lets grass and weeds spread into neighbouring gardens, and it also gives snakes cover close to homes.
Apologies…
Oops… we called Jessica Pike the ‘General Manager’ in previous newsletters. Her correct title is ‘Operations Manager’. We apologise if any confusion has been caused.
FAQs
I want to change the outside appearance of my home – how do I get approval?
If you want to change your home’s external appearance, the Cape OC Rules and Cape Design Guidelines apply. All works at The Cape require Design Review Panel (DRP) approval, including fences, screens, pergolas, shades and paint colours.
If you want to change the external appearance of your home, pease email the OCC (capeocc@ourcapelife.org) which will pass on your request. Try to describe as clearly as possible what the change will involve, including colour charts or photos as relevant. The DRP architect will then assess whether the proposed change or addition meets the Cape Design Guidelines, and will respond with either an acceptance to proceed, or information as to why the change as proposed is not acceptable.
Who do I contact in an emergency?
In an emergency, lot owners should contact the appropriate emergency services directly – for example, by dialling 000. If the emergency affects common property, lot owners should inform the OCC when time permits, and an OCC member will respond when possible. As members of a volunteer committee that response might not be immediate.
Local BUG pushes for Cape Paterson access to the Wonthaggi-Inverloch trail
On Sunday 8 November, members of the Cape Paterson Bicycle Users Group (BUG), along with Bicycle Network CEO Ally McCormack, rode the Wonthaggi-Inverloch trail to highlight a significant gap in that active transport route for Cape Paterson residents and visitors. Participants referred to the danger of riding along the 80KPH Cape Paterson Road as well as the coast road, and how that deters people who would like to ride to and from nearby towns.
The photo below shows the riders assembled at the end of Boundary Road facing the two kilometre strip of double-fenced land, owned by Council. That strip runs from Boundary Road to Fulton Road (exiting on the Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road, near the Cape Paterson Community Hall). Works on this strip could potentially finish the three town link (with funding). Ally highlighted Bicycle Network’s ‘Gimme 5’ project that invites governments to commit to directing 5% of their transport budgets to active transport. We’ll keep you informed.
Enjoy upcoming local live music and film…
Bass Coast Chorale Concert
Each Tuesday evening four of our intrepid Cape residents car-share to Wonthaggi for Bass Coast Chorale rehearsals. Their hard work will be rewarded when they perform at their next concert. Apart from the gorgeous music, you’ll be treated to amazing home-made afternoon tea snacks.
Bass Coast Shorts in November
Bass Coast Fine Film Group
You are likely to see a few Cape locals on the first Sunday of the month revelling in a ‘fine film’ – usually in foreign language. Membership is $65 for 12 months (Jan-Dec). Venue is the recently upgraded Union Theatre, 65 Graham St, Wonthaggi. For more more information go to: http://www.basscoastfinefilmgroup.weebly.com
Fundraiser community bushdance
Live Italian music and dance fun
If you enjoyed the ‘Ferragosto’ event in August you’ll also love this live music and dance night. Three residents from The Cape share their Italian music obsessions in the group ‘Canti Popolari’, along with other local musicians so you can enjoy a fun family night of dance, song and even prizes…
Regular Cape events
- On the second Friday of each month, a women’s catch up is held at Zeal and Flow, 17 Market Place Cape Paterson, at 9:45 am. Children are welcome.
- On the fourth Friday of each month, a men’s breakfast catch up is held at the Cape Corner Store, 2 Market Place Cape Paterson, at 8:00am. Children are welcome.
- Sunset Sippers, run by the Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club (CPSLC), is held on Thursdays from 5:00pm at the CPSLSC clubhouse above First Surf, Cape Paterson.
Regular neighbourhood events
- Inverloch Parkrun: a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it’s up to you! Saturdays, 8:00 am at Rotary Centenary Park, Ramsey Boulevard, Inverloch. But please register before you go the first time – you only need to register once, and then bring your personal barcode to each run.
- CPRRA Cape Paterson Community Playgroup: Cape Paterson Community Hall, first Friday of the month, preschoolers and parents/carers welcome.
- People Who Want to Dance: Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00pm. A fun collaborative session for all ages, and only a gold coin donation. Email Edward for details on peoplewhowanttodance@gmail.com
- Cape Cycling Club: A friendly Cape Paterson recreational ride group, the Cape Paterson Bicycle Users Group (BUG), ride on the 2nd Sunday of the month weather permitting, starts 10:00am to and from various locations. New members welcome; contact Dave 0412728514 or email meyers.dave8@gmail.com (Informal group, no fees or insurance, ride at own risk.)
- Markets and Festivals: Bass Coast Coast Council Calendar of Events provides details.
- The Bass Coast Post: Local independent online news – has a community calendar.
Your sources of information about The Cape
- The Cape Newsletter (e.g. this document). The newsletter link is emailed to all lot owners every 6 weeks or so, and archived on the Newsletters page on Our Cape Life (please make sure you forward the newsletter to all residents in your home if only one receives the email).
- Our Cape Life is The Cape’s website and it is being continuously updated and improved to be a single information repository
- My Community Portal the OC Manager, Ace Body Corporate, has set up this website to provide all lot owners with The Cape estate-related information. For example, your levies and payment status can be found there, as well as more general estate and OCC information. Email Ace Body Corporate if you don’t have a password
- The outdoor noticeboard at The Cape, opposite the car park in Sunlight Blvd.
Newsletter prepared by The Cape Owners Corporation Committee, November 2026. Email: capeocc@ourcapelife.org