Creswick is celebrating after its comparatively new home-grown folk music festival CresFest was announced as a finalist in the prestigious Australian Folk Music Awards.

The annual festival has been announced among the 2023 finalists in the category Community/Cultural Project of the Year.

The finalists were announced on Friday 1 September and Judy Turner, Director of CresFest said that the news is “a wonderful way to welcome in spring”.

“The whole CresFest team is so excited to learn of our inclusion in this year’s awards. We are certainly up against some excellent competition and are proud to be counted amongst other great contenders.”

CresFest 2023 showcased over 300 musicians over three days from 31 March – 2 April. With upwards of 2000 ticket holders who enjoyed 150 paid and free performances of folk and roots music, Creswick was alive with enthusiastic performers, volunteers, locals and, of course, visitors.

CresFest 2023 introduced new initiatives to complement the vocal and instrumental performances. They included Light Up Creswick, in partnership with the Bendigo Bank, where performance electrician Gary Miles lit up the historic buildings; at the Courthouse in depth conversations with writers, musicians and artists; workshops and fun events at the Creswick Woollen Mills, University of Melbourne and the Creswick IGA.

“It’s interesting to note that many of the finalists in other categories all performed at CresFest 2023. This clearly demonstrates that CresFest is hitting the right mark with its line-up of amazing musicians. And CresFest 2024 is going to be just as exciting,” Ms Turner said.

A panel of judges from around Australia selected the entries and the announcement of the nine winners from all categories will be made On Wednesday 25 October in Melbourne.

Hepburn Shire residents who keep livestock are being urged to secure their place in the award-winning Healthy Landscapes 2023/2024 Holistic Grazing Course which begins Friday 15 September.

The course has been designed to assist land managers to improve their skills and knowledge about grazing livestock to result in an increase in soil health and perennial pasture species, including native species.

The course took out the 2021 Premier’s Sustainability Award for empowering land managers to make decisions that benefit their productivity and on-farm environmental outcomes. Since winning the award the Healthy Landscapes program has run a further two fully subscribed courses which have received overwhelming praise by participants.

Those interested can find out more and register.

An awesome line up of live music is in store as The Palais, Hepburn hosts a free all-ages gig later this month.

Coming up Thursday, September 28, the music gets started from 6pm with a line-up featuring The Lydains, Elo and the Shin Kicks, Elysium, and The Hobyahs.

The crew at the Palais-Hepburn say they have crafted a delicious menu to keep attendees’ well-fed and happy while they rock out to some top local music.

The free Freeza event is all-ages and family friendly and is a strictly vape, smoke, drug and alcohol free event.

The average household in Victoria throws away $2600 worth of food a year. Food that ends up in landfill creates harmful greenhouse gases.

The Hepburn Shire Council is now urging locals to help avoid adding to the problem and instead sign up for Good for the Hood @Home to watch talks and get tips for using up leftovers and meal planning.
 

In its new quarterly sustainability e-newsletter the local council also inviting local residents to join the I Love Leftovers Challenge to see how much money they can save by reducing food waste.

Sign-ups close this Saturday 9 September and the Challenge runs until Saturday 7 October. Participating residents can go in the draw to win prizes by including a Thermomix.

The state government says it’s helping more casual and contract workers access sick and carer’s pay, increasing the number of jobs covered by the Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee and extending the pilot until March 2025.
More than 400 new jobs are now eligible for the nation-leading Sick Pay Guarantee – giving thousands more workers in casual and contract jobs the opportunity to access up to 38 hours a year of sick and carer’s pay.
Casual, contract and self-employed workers including community support workers, taxi and
rideshare drivers, arts workers, childcare and early childhood workers, fitness instructors,
tourism and outdoor recreation workers, factory workers, fruit pickers and hairdressers can
check their eligibility and sign up to the scheme today.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas encouraged local workers to apply for the scheme.
Newly eligible workers can apply for sick and carer’s pay from the day they sign up, and
workers who were eligible in the first phase of the pilot will benefit from an additional year
of the pilot.
The $245.7 million Australian-first initiative aims to reduce workplace illnesses and injuries
and keep businesses safer and more productive.
Since the pilot launched in March 2022, more than 76,000 casual and contract workers have
signed up. In that time, the Sick Pay Guarantee has covered more than 1.8 million hours of
sick and carer’s pay, giving workers the financial security to stay home when they’re sick or
need to care for loved ones. Workers can check their eligibility and sign up online at
vic.gov.au/sickpayguarantee or in the Service Victoria app. Neighbourhood Houses can also
help people to sign up and access the scheme – visit www.nhvic.org.au to find a participating
Neighbourhood House.
Information is available in 19 languages on the Sick Pay Guarantee website. To speak to an
interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask for the Victorian
Sick Pay Guarantee hotline.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “People shouldn’t be forced to choose between going to work sick or putting food on the table – we’re proud to be expanding the Sick Pay Guarantee, because we know how important it is to support locals in Macedon.”
“Insecure work has terrible consequences, and we know how important it is for people to have the support and certainly they need to stay home and recover if they are sick or caring for a loved one.”

Community Carbon is a new pilot project aimed at delivering local revegetation planting to generate carbon offsets while also providing environmental, social, and economic benefits to the local community. Local landholders and other residents are being invited to be involved.
The new Central Victorian carbon offset project is aimed at helping local councils reach their net-zero emission goals, while providing private landholders all the benefits from growing trees and shrubs on their properties.
The Community Carbon Project is a partnership between the North Central Catchment
Management Authority (CMA), the City of Greater Bendigo, Macedon Ranges, Hepburn, and
Mount Alexander shire councils.
North Central CMA Business Development Manager Matt Dawson said restoring critical habitats
and connecting fragmented landscapes in the region is a key focus of all project partners.
“However, government organisations and private landowners are always faced with the significant
challenge of the high cost of large-scale revegetation works.
“Many landholders find it difficult to justify the expenses and time commitments involved.”
Community Carbon is aiming to address this by leveraging the carbon offset needs of local
councils to provide financial support to deliver revegetation efforts.
The carbon sequestered by these trees will then offset residual emissions of the participating
councils.
“We are excited to be trialling this innovative approach. There are wins for the landholder, the
community and local wildlife,” Mr Dawson said.
“The benefits of undertaking revegetation work on private properties are clear. It attracts diverse wildlife, improves the aesthetic appeal of properties, reduces soil erosion, improves soil health, and enhances water quality.
“This is a great opportunity for landholders to not only leave their property in a better condition for
future generations but help in the fight against climate change.
“We are keen to hear from local landholders interested in participating by planting trees and shrubs
on their properties.”
While prioritising sites where a cumulative area of 10 hectares or more can be planted, the project
will also consider smaller, high-value areas for revegetation.
“The commitment of all partners to reducing emissions will continue, but inevitable residual
emissions by 2030 will require offsets,” Mr Dawson said.
“This project helps ensures the integrity of the offsets and keeps the financial, ecological, and
lifestyle benefits in the region, which is great news for everyone.”
Expressions of interest close 30 September 2023.
To find out more, go to www.nccma.vic.gov.au/climatechange/community-carbon

More than 11,000 megalitres of water for the environment will flow out of Lake Eppalock this month, helping improve the health of the Campaspe River downstream, the North Central Catchment Management Authority says.

North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) says it will manage the 11-day flow from mid-September.

North Central CMA Environmental Flows Project Manager Darren White said the flow was part of the river’s restoration program.

“This is the type of flow the river, and everything that relies on it to survive and thrive, would have had at this time of year prior to European occupation and regulation,” he said.

“This flow will stay well within the banks all the way down and will be timed to ensure it doesn’t meet up with any higher Goulburn River flows down the Murray.”

Mr White said the spring fresh will have a range of benefits for the animals and plants that live in and around the river.

“It will be timed to provide the right conditions for native fish, to encourage them to travel and begin spawning,” he said.

“The flow will also flush leaf litter off the banks, maintain soil moisture, and scour slime off rocks and snags to revitalise them as a key water bug food source for fish, platypus, and rakali (water rats).”

Since October 2022, about 10 GL of water for the environment has flowed from Lake Eppalock, with water expected to be released every day for the rest of the current financial year.

“Just like irrigation and town supplies, the environment receives a specific yearly allocation from Lake Eppalock,” Mr White said.

“The environmental allocation is managed under legislation that requires it to be used to get the best possible ecological outcome for the river. 

“It’s important for the health of the river the environmental allocation lasts through the high stress summer, with an eye on the following year as well.

“Environmental flow planning is for today and tomorrow. All indicators are pointing to a drier outlook during spring and summer.”

The flows are authorised by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan 2023-24.

Local community-owed renewable energy provider Hepburn Energy and partners are reporting “huge success” with their recent ‘Hepburn Switch’ event as well as a broader heat pump hot water bulk buy scheme.

They report that all up 78 heat pump hot water systems have been installed with a value of $528,159 – saving 407 tonnes of Co2. And, a result, two local community group facilities will receive a free hot water system. 
To be eligible for a hot water system, the community group must be located within the Hepburn Shire and provide community benefits from the upgrade.  If you know or are part of a local community group that would benefit from a highly efficient heat pump hot water system, you can find the application form here, on the community page of the Hepburn Energy website, or on the heat pump bulk buy page on the z-net website. 

An alternative greenfield site to host community sport and active recreation is being considered for Clunes.

To investigate this option further the Hepburn Shire Council is inviting community members to apply to join a Clunes Recreation Provision Feasibility Project Advisory Group (PAG).

In a recent media release, the Hepburn Shire Council says: “During the development of the draft masterplan for the Clunes Recreation Reserve, community interest has evolved to consider an alternative option in servicing the future provision of sport and active recreation at an alternative greenfield site in Clunes”. 

The PAG would work with the council to provide input into the development of the working draft Clunes Recreation Reserve Masterplan and determine how quality infrastructure could be provided that promotes community connection and active participation in Clunes. 

Expressions of interest to join the PAG are open until 5pm on Wednesday 13 September 2023 and can be made via Council’s Participate Hepburn website. 

Community pop-in session 

The local council will also hold a pop-in session in Clunes for the community to discuss the PAG with its Sport and Active Recreation Team.

The session will be held this Saturday September 9 with people able to drop in anytime between 10am and 12pm at the Ulumbarra Room at The Warehouse – Clunes.  

A Reverse Vending Machine for Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, CDS Vic, has been installed in East Street, Daylesford.

Australia’s most accessible and convenient container deposit scheme is a step closer, with the roll out of refund points continuing to progress across Victoria in preparation for the scheme’s November 1 start.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas this week announced that the Reverse Vending Machine for Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, CDS Vic, has been installed in East Street, Daylesford by Tomra.
The scheme will reward Victorians with a 10 cent refund for every eligible used drink can, bottle and carton. There will be more than 600 refund points across the state and four different ways to return eligible containers.
These will include reverse vending machines, depots, over-the-counter sites, and bag drops and collections.
CDS Vic will reduce Victoria’s litter by up to half, create new economic opportunities, generate around 640 jobs across the state, in both regional and metropolitan Victoria, and turn drink containers into new recycled products.
CDS Vic will be run by Scheme Coordinator, VicReturn, and three zone operators: TOMRA Cleanaway, VISY, and Return-It, who will establish and oversee the refund points, provide refunds to customers, and ensure proper recycling of the containers.
The zone operators are each responsible for a part of Victoria, which has been separated into three scheme zones: North, East and West.
CDS Vic also offers Victorian charities, community groups, environmental groups, sporting clubs and
educational organisations new ways to raise funds through collection drives, by operating refund points, or receiving direct donations from the community.
The scheme is part of the Victorian Government’s $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling sector. This includes the new standardised four-stream waste and recycling system, which will meet the target of diverting 80 per cent of all material away from landfill by 2030.
Donation Partner Registry will be available from October 1, 2023, ahead of the scheme starting on November 1.
Those keen to know more are being advised to keep an eye on the website for details or email donationpartners@vicreturn.com.au for updates.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “This is a great opportunity to help clean up our environment, while helping local sporting clubs, community groups and schools to raise valuable funds through collection drives and donations.”
Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt: “CDS Vic will maximise the number of cans, bottles and cartons being recycled into new products and reduce the amount of litter in our environment by half, while putting extra cash in Victorian pockets and creating local jobs.”
“Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme will be the most accessible and convenient scheme in the country, with more than 600 refund points across the state.”

The Hepburn Shire Council has released draft masterplans for Queens Park and Pioneer Park in Clunes and is inviting the community to have a say on the future direction of these important community sites. 

The draft masterplans are available at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/clunes-open-space-masterplan, with feedback accepted until 5pm on Friday 22 September.  

The council will also hold a pop-in session in Clunes for the community to discuss the draft Queens Park and Pioneer Park masterplans. The session will be held this Saturday 9 September, with people able to drop in anytime between 10am and 12pm at the Ulumbarra Room at The Warehouse – Clunes.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said the masterplans seek to identify and address gaps in infrastructure requirements and so community input is essential. 

“These masterplans aim to improve accessibility and safety, but also to increase participation, visitation and connections for the community. Local voices are vital in making sure we get this right,” said Cr Hood. 

The draft masterplan includes 18 potential actions at Pioneer Park and 17 at Queens Park. 

Some of the ideas for Pioneer Park include new accessible paths, better seating, improved lighting, off-street car-parking, establishment of a formal lookout point at the historical sign and marker, along with new interpretive and wayfinding signage. The draft masterplan also suggests investigation of upgrades to, or the possible relocation of, the skate park. 

Improvement ideas for Queens Park include accessibility upgrades to gravel tracks and carparks, improvements to lighting along the Creek Walk, better wayfinding signage to town centre and public toilets, playground improvements, new seating and picnic settings, refurbishment of the crumbling Queens Park Fountain, tree planting, and safer pedestrian access and connections. 

“The draft masterplans are aspirational. Works are not yet included in the council’s long-term financial planning, but they seek to guide future investment in these community assets,” Cr Hood said.

“The scope and cost of works would need to be considered in the context of other council priorities, expenditure and the availability of external funding sources,” he said. 

An alarming number of Victorians living in high-risk bushfire areas say they would stay at their properties until they felt threatened by a bushfire, or would wait for an official warning, a CFA survey has revealed.

CFA’s annual Bushfire Community Survey, undertaken since 2009-10, showed 30.9 per cent would wait for emergency authorities to tell them what to do, 28.6 per cent would stay until they felt threatened and 13.8 per cent would stay and defend their property. 

Victoria has experienced many damaging fire seasons in recent memory such as the February 2009 bushfires and the 2019-20 fires, and with the prediction of a warmer spring and earlier start to this year’s season, CFA is concerned that not enough people are preparing themselves for fire season and heeding CFA’s advice. 

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said it’s concerning knowing around half of Victorians in high-risk bushfire areas are risking their lives if a bushfire was to occur. 

“Victoria has had quieter fire seasons the last few years but now is not the time for the community to become complacent,” CO Heffernan said. 

“And while our firefighters are always well prepared, your safety during fire season is a shared responsibility, so it’s vital that you understand your local risks and take actions to prepare your family and property. 

“We’ve seen in the recent release of the spring seasonal outlook that weather patterns are changing and we’re expecting warmer and drier conditions across the state leading up to summer.  

“Fires spread quickly and they threaten lives and properties. The community needs to be prepared and they need to know their triggers to act. Please don’t rely on one source of information, use the multiple channels available to you. Use common sense and protect yourself and your loved ones.” 

The AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring released on 23 August outlined that fire risk in the coming months is expected to be normal across most parts of Victoria. 

The predicted development of an El Niño weather pattern will contribute to higher fire risk in some parts of Victoria this season compared to the last three years. 

“Now is the time to sit down with your family or household and make sure you have a bushfire survival plan. Practise this plan and be ready,” CO Heffernan said. 

“On hot, dry and windy days, don’t drive into or through high-risk areas. Plan an alternate route or postpone your travel if possible. Continue to monitor conditions every day.” 

The survey also showed 44.4 per cent believe CFA is responsible for protecting them during a bushfire, and 43.8 per cent say CFA is responsible for protecting their home.  

“We simply can’t get a truck to every house during a major bushfire. Fire safety is a joint effort and the community needs to also take on this responsibility when living in a bushfire prone area,” CO Heffernan said. 

“Our promise is to continue with our mission to protect lives and property and we are lucky to have some of the best firefighters in the world to do this.” 

Victorians should know where to find the best information to stay safe and never rely on just one source of information. 

Victoria’s integrated warning system includes the Vic Emergency website, app and social media channels, VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226, emergency broadcasters including ABC radio, Sky News TV, commercial radio and select community radio stations. 

Warnings are issued when an incident is occurring, and you need to act. Make sure you understand the three levels of warnings and additional messages such as ‘Evacuate Now’: 

• Advice – An incident is occurring or has occurred. Access information and monitor conditions. 
• Warning (Watch & Act) – An emergency is developing nearby. Conditions are changing and you need to act now to protect yourself and your family.
• Emergency Warning – You are in imminent danger and need to act now.
• Evacuation – An evacuation is recommended or procedures are in place to evacuate. 

We’re asking people to take the following actions: 

• Move your winter woodpile away from the house or sheds.
• Prune tree branches so they are not overhanging the roof or touching walls.
• Clear your gutters.
• Keep grass shorter than 10cm.
• Remove leaves and twigs from around your property.
• Test anything that is part of your fire plan such as sprinklers, pumps and generators.
• Check that your home and contents insurance is current and includes a level of cover in line with current building standards and regulations.
• If you are burning off to remove green waste, register your burn-off online at Fire Permits Victoria at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au, or call ESTA on 1800 688 511.
• Make sure your household has a Bushfire Survival Plan. Find out how at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/bushfireplan. 

Victorians could see an increased number of fires leading into this summer, the CFA is already warning.

Victorians can expect a drier and warmer spring, with a high chance of an early start to the fire season in the central, western and northern parts of the state.

Victoria’s drier than average conditions are expected to continue, following below average rainfall across much of the state during winter, according to the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring, released today.

Despite below average rainfalls for winter, grass growth is expected to be higher than usual following three years of wet La Niña conditions.

A strong drying trend in far east and central Gippsland has resulted in higher-than-normal potential for fires, including communities close to bushland, especially where vegetation was unburnt during the 2019-20 fires.

There is also a high likelihood that bushfire season will start earlier, compared to the past two years, across much of central, western and northern Victoria. Remaining parts of the state are expected to see normal fire potential. However, hot, windy conditions can still pose a fire risk.

Emergency services remain well prepared for emerging risks associated with the potential for an earlier start to bushfire season and will continue to monitor conditions.

The Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring is developed by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) and supported by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) along with state and territory fire and land managers.

It’s important for communities to understand their local risks. You can keep up to date with the Fire Danger Ratings on the VicEmergency app and VicEmergency website.

Country Fire Authority Chief Officer Jason Heffernan: “Victorians can expect a warmer spring and earlier start to the fire season this year, however, CFA crews across the state are prepared to protect their communities once again.”

“Our members are continuously working very closely with their communities and our interagency partners to prepare for the high-risk weather season.”

“Fire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services and Victorians, so we urge people to begin preparing their family and property for the upcoming fire season.”

Regional unemployment in Victoria has plunged to an unprecedented low as jobs continue to grow in towns and cities across the state.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows Victoria’s regional unemployment rate fell to 2.4 per cent in July – the lowest in the country and the lowest mark in the state’s history.

The national regional unemployment rate stands at 3.3 per cent. More than 8000 jobs were created in regional Victorian areas in July – the best performance among the states – pushing the total number of people in work in the regions to a record high 864,000.

Romsey residents are being urged to provide feedback on the draft Romsey Structure Plan, currently
open for consultation until Monday 25 September.
The draft Romsey Structure Plan provides direction for the planning and development of the Romsey
and the immediate surrounds in regards to housing, employment, transport, community infrastructure
and the natural environment, while also determining the town’s protected settlement boundary.
The draft plan seeks to guide Romsey’s growth until 2050. It includes infrastructure suggestions, with
an opportunity to advocate for and further explore a range of community infrastructure to support the
current and future community needs.
The consultation period is open for six weeks, longer than the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s standard four-week consultation period, to give sufficient time for community members to review the plan, or attend scheduled drop-in sessions and workshops for further information. Through the consultation period the council hopes to hear from the community and stakeholders about their views on shaping Romsey’s future and how the draft plan reflects this.
The council’s Director Planning and Environment, Rebecca Stockfeld said the draft plan builds on
extensive consultation between 2018 and 2022 through the Romsey Issues and Opportunities Paper
and Romsey Emerging Options Paper.
“Along with the feedback received from the community to date there has been an extensive amount of
research and analysis that has informed the development of the draft plan over time to get to this point,” she said.

“I encourage residents to have a look at the plan and take advantage of the drop-in sessions and upcoming workshop, and speak with Council officers to have their questions answered and clarify any
concerns.”