Council elections and caretaker period

Council will enter an Election Period (Caretaker) starting from 12pm on 17 September 2024 until 6pm on 26 October 2024. We have a statutory responsibility to ensure that the elections are conducted fairly, equitably, and without influence from current Council operations. Caretaker period is a time when we limit certain activities – to ensure decisions made are not influenced by, or likely to influence, the upcoming election. During this time, we don't make major decisions, commit to large expenditures, or enter significant contracts that could potentially influence a voter's decision. We will also scale back our communication and engagement activities, so you'll see less social media activity and advertisements. 

Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails) update

Have you experienced Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails)? These world-class trails won't disappoint. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned mountain biker, there are trails for every skill level. We also have adaptive trails.

Following the low-key partial early opening in August, we look forward to a community celebration and formal opening of the whole trail network in December. We'll keep you posted on the details in the coming months.

Remember, we are also asking the community to have their say on the 70 segment names required for Djuwang Baring. You can do that here and you can also read our full media release.

 Pavilion at Glenlyon Recreation Reserve

Council has resolved to pause the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve Masterplan project that addresses the location of the pavilion at the Reserve. The first step in designing the renovation or replacement of the pavilion is to assess the suitability of the site in case of bushfire. 

We will establish a Project Advisory Group to assist with the investigation of alternate location options, whether a pavilion should be built at an alternate site and the potential for minor renovations to the existing pavilion that considers the heritage values and key uses of the reserve. We'll keep you posted on this project at Glenlyon Recreation Reserve Masterplan.

 School holiday program

Have you started planning activities for the upcoming school holidays? Our fabulous Library and Youth and Family teams have come up with a program of activities for children of all ages. Check it out...and don't forget to book.

 Adoption of township plans

Council adopted the Township Structure Plans (for Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, Glenlyon, and Trentham) and Rural Hepburn Strategy. 

These were developed after extensive consultation with community panels, community, and stakeholder groups throughout 2023, along with specialist technical advice from consultants and Council officers with expertise in planning, ecology, infrastructure, transport, recreation, and economic development. 

This once-in-a-generation project is a critical body of work for the Shire’s future, and a key goal of our Council Plan. 

Engagement included 32,441 Participate Hepburn page views, 12,971 letters and 8,016 text messages were sent to the community to encourage submissions, seven Community Information Sessions with 623 participants attending, a Future Hepburn webinar with 80 participants and 366 views, and a total of 577 submissions from community members and other stakeholders. 

We'd like to thank the community for your involvement. Read our media release.

 Financial Vision
On 10 September, Council endorsed a Financial Vision. Some tough decisions were made as we face challenges being experienced across all Local Government, including rising inflation affecting the delivery of services and infrastructure, cost shifting from other levels of government, and extraordinary costs associated with the recovery from recent flooding and storm events. 

The Financial Vision is a high-level strategic document that responds to these challenges and ensures Council remains financially sustainable. It determines which levers will be pulled to find the $4 million annual cash shortfall without any further debt. Council resolved to apply to the Essential Services Commission for an increase in rates by 10% (inclusive of the rate cap). 

Council will also aim to reduce its operating expenses by examining service delivery savings of $2.44 million. We will increase the pensioners rebate to support the vulnerable in our community and further promote how ratepayers can work with us on payment options. There will be more information on how we can support the community over the coming months. Read our full media release.

Top Tourism Awards - Daylesford places 2nd!

Daylesford has won second place at the Australian Tourism Awards, held in Canberra on 10 September. 

After being named the best Small Tourism Town in the TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town awards earlier this year, being awarded Silver in the national awards is an incredible achievement. The Silver award is shared with local businesses, community members and of course the Daylesford Macedon Tourism team who continue to advocate for this beautiful pocket of the world. We are exceptionally pleased to see beautiful Daylesford recognised among a competitive cohort of small tourism towns. Exmouth, Western Australia, won Gold and Richmond, Tasmania, came third.

 Future of Daylesford Town Hall

At last night's meeting, the Daylesford Community Facilities project team has been given the green light to develop designs to locate the library and community multipurpose facilities at the Daylesford Town Hall site, ahead of proposed community engagement.

Council officers worked with project architects, k20 Architecture, to investigate the feasibility. The project team has been supported by a Project Advisory Group (PAG), which includes seven community members. The PAG has convened to provide input into the design.   

In related news, a contract was also awarded at the meeting to Abode for critical preservation works to the roof and other associated building elements on the heritage Daylesford Town Hall building.
 

 Adoption of Annual Report and Financial Statements

Council adopted its Annual Report for 2023/24 at the Council Meeting 16 September. The Annual Report is a summary of Council's operations and highlights for the financial year. It also contains a summary of our performance. 

The 2023/2024 Finance Carry Forward Report and the Annual Financial Statements and Performance Statements 2023/2024 were also adopted ‘in-principle’ at the Council Meeting, and will be signed following final audit clearance. The adopted report and statements will be forwarded to the Minister for Local Government and will be uploaded to our website.

 Road patching contract awarded

Last night Council awarded the sealed road patching contract to Civil by Parker. The contract continues our commitment to repair road defects - like potholes and structural cracking - on Council-managed roads across the Shire. Last year the program repaired approx. 8,000 square metres of run-down pavement.

Combined with other capital investments in roads such as gravel re-sheeting, bitumen resealing, bridge repairs, drainage improvements and road reconstruction, Council is investing around $3.7 million this year.

 Positive ageing expo and Seniors Week

Council’s Positive Ageing Expo is a free event. It is unique, informative and fun! There are guest speakers, stalls and public announcements. Come and make new friends and network with other community members, community groups and service providers.

Thursday, 10 October 2024 | 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
RACV Goldfields Resort, 1500 Midland Highway, Creswick
Book now at Positive Ageing Expo 2024

 Historic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa lease renewed

Hepburn Shire Council has renewed the lease to its current tenant at the historic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa. 

Belgravia Leisure has managed the premises for the past 16 years and looks forward to continuing at this location.

The Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa is a significant asset, which sits within the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve. The premises underwent significant renovations in 2008, which were carried out by the State Government. It is now time for a rejuvenation, with a $2 million investment from Belgravia Leisure for capital works improvements. This investment is vital to sustain the asset. Alongside that, Council will invest in some structural and drainage works to maintain the site’s longevity.

Many visitors come to Hepburn to take advantage of the mineral waters that are drawn directly from the source and used in the Bathhouse. Natural hot springs are known to benefit skin, muscles, circulation and relaxation, and to reduce stress. The Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa is open every day except Christmas Day. 

 Inspectorate announces no report for The Rex
The Local Government Inspectorate will not be releasing a report on the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project. Council is extremely disappointing that it has taken so long for the Inspectorate to arrive at this decision and that no report will be issued. The LGI will not be taking any further action nor publishing a report. Read our media release.

 Council's new Local Directory

The FREE directory includes both a Business and Community online platform. Make sure your business or community group is listed! The directories will enable businesses and community groups to promote themselves and for residents to search and support local businesses, community groups, associations and sporting clubs. Create a listing on the local directory.

 Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve Masterplan

Council has been awarded $80,000 funding for the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve Masterplan. The funding will be used to develop a masterplan to establish a guide for the future development and management of the Reserve. The Mineral Springs are an important community asset and the Reserve holds walking tracks, picnic areas and the historic Hepburn Bathhouse. 

There are evolving experiences in Victoria’s spa scene and Council plans to use this chance to keep up with the industry. It will take a holistic approach to wellness and self-rejuvenation. The Masterplan will inform future works at the site. 

 Aussie Birdcount
The Aussie Birdcount will be held from 14-30 October. Aussie Bird Count 2024 can be accessed at https://aussiebirdcount.org.au.

In last year’s Aussie Bird Count,134 participants supplied 414 surveys and counted 121 species in the Shire, which makes it the most important citizen science activity that we have.

The Eastern Rosella featured in only 5% of counts in the Shire in 2023 compared to the Crimson Rosella which featured in 63% of counts. It prefers open country, and Clunes is the only town in the Shire where it appears to be more common.

 Heather Mutimer Honor Roll
Do you know an inspiring woman in our Shire who you'd like to nominate for the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll? 

If you know an inspiring woman in our community, please put in their nomination before 30 September. You can go to our website and fill out the online form. 

Successfull 5 months of organics collections
It's been a successful five months of kerbside organics.

The weekly township food and garden organics kerbside collection has:

• diverted 443 tonnes of organics from landfill
• reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• a contamination rate below 2%
• a 26% reduction of landfill/general rubbish collected (compared to the same period in 2023)

 Join our team
Are you looking for a career move or a job closer to home? Along with great teammates, we offer attractive and flexible working arrangements. Stay up to date with the latest job opportunities and apply here.