A Colac district environment group and the Liberal Party are joining forces to push for a carbon-neutral Great Ocean Road.
Opposition environment, climate change and water spokesman Greg Hunt said Apollo Bay had great potential to generate sustainable energy.
“Geothermal has enormous potential throughout the Otway Basin,” Mr Hunt said.
“There are also reasonably good tides and waves for tidal technology,” he said.
Mr Hunt asked the Otway Ranges Climate Action group to put forward three “practicable projects” that suited the region.
He said he supported community ownership of the projects.
ORCA chairman Simon Pockley welcomed the Liberal Party’s interest in the Otways.
“We have an abundance of wind, wave and solar,” Mr Pockley said.
“I am even looking at the potential for combining sewage and waste,” he said.
“We will be putting in a proposal and I particularly welcome the bottom-up approach that recognises the Otway community in setting the region’s priorities.”
Liberal candidate for Corangamite Sarah Henderson said she wanted to create a clean energy coast along the Great Ocean Road.
Ms Henderson said a holistic approach would help tackle climate change.
“It is very important when looking at carbon emissions to look holistically at the situation,” Ms Henderson said.
“People don’t want to be told what they need,” she said.
“Any project should have the support of, and be driven by, the community.”
Ms Henderson said Apollo Bay residents should decide the approach needed to help tackle emissions along the coast.
“Apollo Bay is an incredibly dynamic community,” Ms Henderson said.
“They are incredibly focused on the future, a sustainable future,” she said.
Mr Hunt said the Liberal Party would review the submission before Christmas.