The Colac Otway region experienced significant business turbulence in December with three local companies entering liquidation, including a prominent hotel that had served the community for generations.
December's Business Casualties Revealed
According to Australian Securities and Investments Commission records analyzed by the Geelong Advertiser, three Colac Otway businesses were placed into liquidation during December. The most notable casualty was the historic Beeac Hotel, which had been operating for approximately 150 years before its unfortunate closure.
The liquidations included Beeac Hotel Pty Ltd, appointed on December 20, alongside two other local enterprises: Colac Caravan Park Pty Ltd and South West Style Pty Ltd. These appointments occurred on December 6 and December 13 respectively, marking a challenging final month of the year for the regional business community.
Historic Beeac Hotel's Demise
The Beeac Hotel's liquidation represents the loss of a significant piece of local heritage. Having served patrons for nearly a century and a half, the establishment was more than just a business—it was a community landmark where generations of residents had gathered.
Christopher Darby of Worrells Solvency & Forensic Accountants was appointed as liquidator for the historic venue. The hotel's closure has left a void in the small town of Beeac, located approximately 30 kilometres north-east of Colac, raising concerns about the viability of rural hospitality businesses in current economic conditions.
Broader Regional Business Impact
The other affected businesses tell a story of diverse sectors facing challenges in the regional economy. Colac Caravan Park Pty Ltd, operating tourist accommodation, and South West Style Pty Ltd, details of which weren't immediately clear, both entered liquidation within days of each other in early to mid-December.
These liquidations follow a broader pattern of business distress in regional Victoria, though December's figures for Colac Otway specifically represent a concentration of corporate failures that will likely have ripple effects throughout the local economy, affecting employment and service availability in the region.
The timing—during the typically busy holiday period—adds particular significance to these liquidations, suggesting underlying financial pressures that couldn't be overcome even during peak trading seasons for hospitality and tourism-related businesses.
