Dianne Smith is the new chair of Destination Central Victoria.
An experienced non-executive director and former CEO, Dianne brings years of experience working in the visitor economy, water, public land, and local industry capability sectors.
With leadership roles at the Victoria Tourism Industry Council, Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, Ballarat Tourism and Industry Capability Network Victoria, and as former Deputy Chair of Puffing Billy Railway, Dianne brings industry experience and a strong commitment to tourism, events and regional growth.
In addition to taking on this role with DCV, Dianne is currently a board director at Central Highlands Water, a member of Zoos Victoria’s advisory Revenue and Growth Committee, and a Club Victoria Ambassador with the Victorian Convention Centre Trust.
Formerly Daylesford Macedon Tourism, DCV was formed in July 2026. The new entity encompasses the shires of Hepburn, Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander and Central Goldfields. Since its inception, an interim board has been in place.
Interim chair Liz Corbett said Dianne joined DCV at an exciting time, as the organisation takes on an expanded footprint, with a visitor economy valued at close to one billion dollars.
“We’re proud to build on the legacy established by Daylesford Macedon Tourism, and with Dianne now stepping into the role, we’re confident that momentum will only grow.
“Under her leadership, DCV will strengthen its impact and continue delivering results for businesses, communities and visitors across Victoria’s Heartland.”
At the recent launch of DCV’s new, Victoria’s Heartland brand, Dianne said one of the keys to successful tourism was collaboration “and industry operators in this region show a genuine desire to unite under the new brand”.
“Added to this strategy, the support of governments makes it a wonderful time to join a region that is positive about working together. I am excited by this opportunity to chair the DCV Board, and to contribute to the region’s future prosperity.”
Dianne starts in the new role on May 4.
Link: www.victoriasheartland.com.au

A Hepburn Shire ratepayer believes last year’s rate rise of 10% means that the “one-off” 7% added to the state government’s cap of 3%, will continue to compound into future years.
The ratepayer, who asked not to be named, wrote to the Department of Local Government earlier this year:
“The ESC (Essential Services Commission) permitted a 10% increase over the 2024/5 rates (comprising the government’s 3% cap plus an extra 7%).
“As per the ESC’s website: ‘Following a request from Hepburn Shire Council, the Essential Services Commission has approved an application for a higher rate cap of 10 per cent for the 2025-26 financial year, 7 percentage points above the 3 per cent cap set by the Minister for Local Government’.
“I now write to you to inquire about the 2026/7 Hepburn Shire rates, noting that the council has gone on the record stating that it will not apply to the ESC for an increase over the (2.75%) government cap.
“Will the 2026/7 rates be the 2025/6 rates increased by the 2.75% government rate cap for 2026/7? If so this means to me that the 7% one-off increase in 2025/6 will again apply in 2026/7. In other words the said 7% will not be a one-off for the 2025-26 financial year.
“Or will the 2026/7 rates be the 2024/5 rates increased by the 2025/6 cap of 3% and then the 2026/7 cap of 2.75%? Can you please advise which of these two alternatives will apply, and if it’s alternative 1 how this is consistent with the 7% increase being for the 2025-26 financial year.”
The department wrote back that the first scenario was correct.
“That is, the approved higher cap in 2025-26 will result in a permanent increase in the council’s rate base that will continue to compound every year. It is described as a higher cap for the 2025-26 financial year because this is the amount by which the council could increase its average rates in that year. The increase in 2026-27 will be capped at the rate cap of 2.75% set by the minister, which is applied to the 2025-26 rates.”
Hepburn Shire Council Performance and Transformation director Brooke Holmes said the implementation of an Essential Services Commission approved 7% rate cap variation, in addition to the 3% approved rate cap, resulted in a 10% increase to the rates payable in 2025/2026.
“This was a permanent, one-off uplift in rates. Council has no intention nor approval for future rates payable to be calculated at a percentage greater than the rate cap.
“The rate cap announced by the ESC for the 2026/2027 financial year is 2.75%. The increase to rates in 2026/2027 will on average result in a 2.75% increase to the rates of 2025/2026.”

J.B. Enders and his toll bridge

In the late 1850s, there was no bridge to cross the ford of the Coliban River until J.B. Enders built a bridge. He charged a toll for the use of his bridge, which did not sit well with some in the district.
A Kyneton Guardian newspaper report dated June 26, 1869 reads: “The Hon. Treasurer of the Kyneton Ladies’ Benevolent Society desires to acknowledge the receipt of 10s (shillings), being the amount of toll charged by Mr J.B. Enders to Councillor Sinclair for the privilege of crossing his (Mr Enders’) private bridge over the Coliban.”
Who is J.B. Enders you may ask? Jeremiah Benjamin Enders was born July 15,1828 in New York to Philip Enders and Anna Hummel. In the late 1840s, Jeremiah headed to the California gold rush in the hopes of striking gold. His prospecting dreams may have been shortlived because he emigrated to Australia in 1852.
On arrival, he went to the Bathurst Goldfields in central New South Wales. From there, he came to the McIvor goldfields in Heathcote, Victoria and finally to Forest Creek Goldfields in what is now known as Castlemaine. He met his future wife while working in the Forest Creek area.
On November 5,1855, Jeremiah married Martha Ann Comrie at the Church of England Parsonage in Kyneton. They resided in Boggy Creek, Kyneton.
By late 1856, ‘Yankee Tom’ as he was commonly known, owned a half share in a sawmill located on the Coliban River on the outskirts of Trentham, heading towards Daylesford. In 1857, Yankee Tom bought out his partner Henry Morton and named the place ‘Union Steam Sawmills’ – Upper Coliban. Now back to the bridge.
His unpopular bridge was superseded by the Shire of Glenlyon building a wooden bridge over the Coliban River at Enders Sawmill with the Shire of Kyneton.
It was 100 feet (30.4 metres) long and named the Union Bridge.
The Kyneton Guardian newspaper dated December 31, 1870 remarked the bridge had been completed for at least three months and was acknowledged by all in the district to be a very great ’cause for rejoicing’ since it had been opened for traffic.
This bridge was replaced in 1902 due to heavy traction engines hauling large quantities of timber into the Trentham Railway Station causing relentless damage to the structure. At this time, the bridge became locally known as Enders Bridge.
The replacement bridge was constructed with bluestone mounts and iron girders to support the timber decking with the side rails being made of cast iron.
The Enders bridge still remains as a historical reminder of ‘Yankee Tom’ and his family to this day. It was fully restored in April 2000. Jeremiah Benjamin Enders died in 1914 and was laid to rest in the Trentham cemetery.
Note: Historical signage has been placed at the bridge and maintenance is conducted by the Enders family periodically.

Two things have been playing on my mind lately.
One is Coles Local Daylesford and the other is disability access. I think you know why for the second one.
But first up, Daylesford’s Coles supermarket has had a facelift. Well, more than that, a real renovation.
And well done to all for getting that done while still keeping the store open. A pretty amazing feat. And the staff kept smiling through it all. (I imagine out the back the F word might have been muttered a few times but still…)
Anyway, there are two things I think Coles, not necessarily locals, could have done better.
The first is the deli. Now, I know from talking to the manager Naome for an article in a recent edition of The Local that there was talk about closing it altogether.
But Naome said after hearing from shoppers, a decision was made to keep it open. But it’s tiny. I know that means everything stays fresh but I think the bigger deli was better. And that’s not just me. I have talked to loads of people who groan when you mention the deli.
The other thing I think is a real missed opportunity for Coles is the artwork. Now David Bromley is all well and good, pretty commercial now, but good on him for making such a recognisable brand.
But I reckon Coles should have opened it up to many more Daylesford and surrounds artists and maybe either shared the walls around, or maybe offered to keep the artwork up for three months and then swap it out.
We have so many fantastic artists who we could showcase to all of the visitors who come to our town. We have a regular Artists of the Central Highlands page in The Local and Coles would be welcome to our data base.
I love the work of Brian Nash – and if you ever get a chance to visit his home you would see how incredible his murals are – and then Michael Parker is another amazing artist. I am very lucky to have two of his works. Love them.
And there are so many others, and then there are the artist co-ops with up-and- coming artists who could certainly use a boost to show off what they do. I realise not everyone wants to be in Coles, each to their own, but I think it was a mistake to stick to one artist when we have so many.
And now the second thing on my mind. As you are probably aware, if you read this column, I have been in a wheelchair for about six weeks thanks to a broken ankle.
It’s been tough but there is worse in life. But it certainly makes you think about getting out and about – and how hard it is in a wheelchair, or even a scooter.
Now and again we thought about going out for lunch etc but I rang a pub once, not in the Hepburn Shire, and asked if they were wheelchair-friendly? Yes, they said, there was a ramp to get in. Then a pause. “But we don’t have wheelchair toilets.”
Hmmm. Have a nice feed and a few wines and then what? Go for a pee in the beer garden?
Even thinking about rolling down one of our main streets was triggering. High gutters, stores with tiny doors, and once you were in, how would you turn around without knocking over half the stock?
When I lived in Japan a long time ago I asked how disabled people got around – same problems. “Oh,” they said, “we are lucky not to have many disabled people.”
Or were they just all staying home, like me. Just sayin’…

Labor is making sure children grow up in secure, stable homes and that families have the chance to reunite safely.

Two landmark pieces of legislation passed the Victorian Parliament this week which remove the strict time limit for Family Reunification Orders, as well as creating a nation leading shared responsibility across Government to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.

The Children, Youth and Families Amendment (Stability) Bill 2025 removes strict time limits for family reunification orders, acquitting Recommendation 25 of the Yoorrook for Justice report.

This means that parents have additional time to access support and make changes to have their children returned to their care, where it is safe to do so and in the best interests of the child.

The Stability Bill also removes adoption from child protection case planning objectives, aligning legislation with longstanding practice in Victoria that adoption is not proactively pursued by child protection.

In addition, the Children, Youth and Families Amendment (Supporting Stable and Strong Families) Bill 2025 establishes – for the first time in Australia – a new model of shared responsibilities modelled off the Scottish ‘Corporate Parent’ model.

Government support for care leavers and at-risk children and families should not be the responsibility of Child Protection alone – this change will enable them to receive comprehensive support.

The Supporting Stable and Strong Families Bill establishes responsibilities for all Ministers and Departments to improve outcomes for at-risk children, young people, care leavers and families.

The scheme also requires the tabling of plans and progress reports in Parliament, to ensure accountability across the government.

Together, these nation-leading changes mean that the safety and best interests of children and young people are enshrined in law as a priority.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Children and Minister for Disability Lizzie Blandthorn

“Every child deserves safety and every family deserves a fair chance – these nation-leading laws deliver both.”

“We’re giving families the time and support they need to reunite safely and making every part of government accountable for delivering it.”

Labor has announced the latest recipients of the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Local Government Grant Program (LGGP) with a further $2.4 million to help councils make local roads safer.

Bayside City Council will receive funding to build five wombat crossings and lower speed limits at a Brighton roundabout to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians.

The Shire of Murrindindi will upgrade a crossing in Grant Street, Alexandra with a raised pedestrian crossing to improve safety, visibility and accessibility in the town centre.

All funded projects have adopted one of the four focus areas of the ‘Safe System’ approach to road safety: safe roads and roadsides, vehicle safety, safe travel speeds and safe road users.

The LGGP provides funding to projects that support the goals of the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and help prevent death and injuries on local roads, particularly among pedestrians and cyclists.

Pedestrians and cyclists remain Victoria’s most vulnerable road users. In 2025, 52 pedestrians and nine cyclists lost their lives on the state’s roads. In 2024-25, 583 pedestrians and 391 cyclists were hospitalised as the result of a crash.

For a full list of 2025 grant recipients and details on the program, visit the TAC website tac.vic.gov.au/local-government-grants.

The 2026 TAC Local Government Grant Program will open for applications in June 2026.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne

“The Local Government Grants program is vital to protecting our most vulnerable road users, investing in local projects that will keep pedestrians and cyclists safe.”

“Councils are best placed to identify and address opportunities to improve safety on local roads, and this program is an excellent example of local and state government collaborating to protect communities across Victoria.”

Quote attributable Member for Southern Metropolitan Ryan Batchelor

“These grants are a vital investment in keeping our community safe – by supporting councils to build safer crossings, lower speed limits and improve visibility, we’re protecting the people who walk, ride and drive on our local roads every day

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has confirmed Victoria is Australia’s Education State.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll today announced that thanks to record investment from the Allan Labor Government, Victorian public schools continue to deliver in key metrics linked to a world-class education: enrolments and retention, workforce growth, and school building infrastructure.

The ABS Schools Australia: 2025 report reveals Victorian families are choosing a public school education in record numbers, with Victoria recording the highest growth in public school student enrolments over the past decade in Australia.

The report also highlights steady growth in public school teaching staff, showing the Labor’s $1.8 billion investment to grow and support our education workforce is seeing results.

Victoria now has around 14,000 more registered teachers than we did in 2020.

Other key findings show that in 2025, Victoria:

• outpaced all other Australian states and territories – with more than half of all schools built across Australia over the past decade built here.
• was one of only 3 jurisdictions to see enrolment growth in public schools since 2024.
• has the highest increase in enrolments in public schools over the last 10 years.
• saw teaching staff numbers grow well above the national average in our public schools.
• saw the student-to-teaching-staff ratio decrease, which is one of the smallest ratios in the country.
• had an increase in the apparent retention rate across all sectors.

Only Labor is building public schools, classrooms and amenities needed for a high-quality education in some of the state’s fastest growing communities.

When they were last in government, the Liberals and Nationals slashed $1 billion from the education budget, allowing public schools to crumble and decay.

In stark contrast, Labor has made a record $18.5 billion investment in our public schools.

Our record investment has seen 121 new public schools delivered and more than 2,300 school upgrades.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll

“Once again, the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics schools report shows quite clearly that Victoria is the nation’s Education State.”

“We know Victorian public schools deliver a world-class education. This data cements Victoria’s position as a leader in public education – with high enrolment growth, a strong and growing teacher workforce, and more new schools than any other state or territory.”

Labor’s work from home laws will come into effect on 1 September.

Under the laws, Victorians who can work from home will have the legal right to do so two days a week.

To make it happen, the Allan Labor Government will introduce legislation to the Victorian Parliament in July.

The new right to work from home will be enshrined in the Equal Opportunity Act.

This is the next major update into the design of Labor’s world-first work from home laws.

It follows yesterday’s update that work from home rights will apply regardless of the size of your workplace.

The law will come into effect from 1 September 2026.

It will have a delayed commencement of 1 July 2027 for workplaces with fewer than 15 employees, to allow them more time to get their HR policies and procedures in order.

The law will provide a clear pathway for dispute resolution and enforcement.

Disputes will go to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) for conciliation.

If conciliation fails, the dispute will be heard at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Work from home works for families:

• More than a third of workers – including 60 per cent of professionals – regularly work from home
• It saves families money, giving Australians back on average $110 a week or $5,308 every year

• It cuts congestion. Victorians are now saving more than three hours a week on average commuting

• It gets more people working. Workforce participation is now 4.4 per cent higher than before the pandemic.

But it’s all at risk.

Every day, unions hear from workers denied reasonable work-from-home requests.

Across the country, Liberals are planning to end remote work and force people back to the office.

In Victoria, work from home will be just another thing that Jess Wilson and the Liberals will cut.

That’s why we’ll protect it in law.

Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan

“Work from home works for families, because it saves time and money and it gets more parents working.”

“Only Labor has new solutions to make life easier, safer and more affordable.”

“That’s why we will protect work from home in law from 1 September.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Jaclyn Symes

“Enshrining this right in law means no boss or Liberal can take it away from our workers.”

“Work from home is good for families, good for productivity and good for the economy.”

The state government is helping businesses hit by this summer’s bushfires – waiving and refunding liquor licence fees so local operators can focus on reopening and recovery.

Minister Enver Erdogan recently announced that businesses affected by the January 2026 bushfires will have their liquor licence renewal fees waived.

This support will help pubs, wineries, distilleries, cafés and bottle shops save money at a time when every dollar counts.

Businesses in areas including Avenel, Merton, Seymour, Alexandra, Skipton, Natimuk, Tallangatta, Gellibrand and many more are eligible.

Businesses who lost stock in the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Stores fire will also have their 2026 fee waived.

More relief will be extended to licensees impacted by bushfires still active across the state.

All eligible businesses will have their fees automatically waived or refunded.

Hospitality and retail businesses play a vital role in local economies and supporting them is central to helping regional communities recover from this year’s devastating bushfires.

The fee relief builds on more than $370 million in jointly funded support already announced for affected families, farmers, businesses and councils.

For recovery help, call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 or visit  vic.gov.au/bushfirerecovery.

This World Care Day, Cafs is drawing attention to the growing number of children and young people across the Central Highlands who need the safety, stability and belonging that foster care can provide, supported by everyday people who are able to care in ways that fit their lives.

With the theme “Care as you are”, Cafs’ Home-Based Care program is reminding the Central Highlands community that foster carers don’t need to be perfect, have a certain lifestyle, or fit a mould. They simply need the capacity to provide care, stability and connection for children who need support close to home.

“Foster care isn’t about having all the answers or a picture-perfect home,” said Cafs CEO, Wendy Sturgess.

“It’s about showing up as yourself and offering a safe, caring place for a child or young person in our community. You don’t need to change your life to make a difference locally, you just need to open your heart and your home in a way that works for you,” Ms Sturgess said.

Cafs supports foster carers from all walks of life across the Central Highlands region, including single people, couples, families with children, empty nesters, renters, homeowners, and people who work full time or part time. What matters most is the ability to provide a nurturing environment where children and young people feel seen, heard and valued.

“Every foster care journey looks different,” Ms Sturgess said.

“Some carers provide short term care, others long term. Some care for babies, others for teenagers. There is no one right way, and Cafs works closely with carers to find arrangements that fit their lives while meeting the needs of local children.”

Farmers importing or receiving donated fodder from interstate due to drought or after the recent Victorian bushfires are reminded to watch out for weeds growing from seeds contained in hay, particularly the State prohibited weed parthenium weed.

Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Manager Angela Constantine said biosecurity threats like parthenium weed or Parthenium hysterophorus can add pressure to already stressed systems.

‘Parthenium is one of the world’s most aggressive weeds and a continuing threat to Victoria, it isn’t currently found in Victoria, but is present in New South Wales and Queensland, so the potential for it to invade Victoria is real.

‘Parthenium weed has several undesirable characteristics, not only is it difficult to control due to the large number of seeds produced by the plant’s fast reproductive cycle, but it’s also toxic to livestock, inhibits other plant growth and can cause severe allergic reactions in humans, she said.

‘Farmers are asked to look out for the weed germinating in areas where imported fodder has been used.

‘It can grow up to 2 metres tall, has deeply lobed leaves in a rosette and on the stem, with small white flowers up to one centimetre wide at the end of each branching stem. It can turn woody with age.’

‘Where possible feeding livestock in a contained area is an effective biosecurity practice to reduce the spread of weed seed across a property, but you should also monitor this area regularly.

‘We encourage farmers to be particularly mindful when importing fodder from NSW and Queensland. ‘Areas of Victoria along the Murray River, from Corowa, Cobram, Echuca to Swan Hill, are particularly at risk of invasion’ she said.

Parthenium weed is most commonly spread by vehicles and farm machinery, so roadsides and farmland are at risk of invasion.

More information about identifying and reporting parthenium weed is available on the Agriculture Victoria website at https://go.vic.gov.au/455DEUs If you think you have seen parthenium weed email weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au or call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186. Agriculture Victoria will remove all plants, for free.

Clunes artist Colin Clark grew up in the UK, just north of London where his family had a diverse range of interests with the artistic side very much in the world of music rather than the visual arts. His father was a huge opera fan and as a teenager Colin used to join him regularly in the cheap seats at the Royal Opera House. Colin’s sister was the one who inherited the musical talent however, while he inherited his father’s sporting prowess playing a lot of cricket and hockey. There was not a real arty career for Colin although he did deal with creative designers during his time in product engineering at Jaguar and Ford. Colin and his partner moved to Australia in 2004 after a job at Ford in Australia sort of fell into his lap while they were on a one-year sabbatical travelling round the world.

Donna: When did you know you were an artist?
Colin: I love this question because it gets to the heart of imposter syndrome. I have a huge cognitive dissonance between how I see myself and how I see others. I think that anyone who does art has the right to call themselves an artist in the same way as anyone who plays golf has the right to call themselves a golfer. At the same time, it took a while to consider myself as one, probably when I started to sell some pieces and win some awards. I am a real advocate of just doing art for the enjoyment of it. It seems to me that we love it as kids and then we go to school and come across some super-talented classmates and then give up. We don’t really do this in other things so why do we do it in art? We call our studio “The Crap Art Studio”, a bit tongue-in-cheek these days, but just to remind ourselves that it’s about doing it and sometimes pushing boundaries and that it doesn’t matter if some of what comes out is not very good. You can still enjoy making it and you always learn something, even if it’s just not to do that again.

Donna: What attracts you to print and lino?
Colin: I have worked in many media, and continue to do so, but I just get drawn back to printing. There’s something quite cathartic about carving away at a piece of lino and also a sense of not 100 per cent knowing what it will come out like when I pull that first proof.

Donna: What images are you drawn to?
Colin: I am drawn very much towards contemporary art. I have seen enough landscape oil paintings and portraits of inbred nobility to last a lifetime. I would much prefer to see something new, clever and innovative.
In my own work I do feel some tension between what I really want to do and what I think will sell. I still get surprised sometimes by which artworks sell well and it is often not the ones that win awards. Definitely things with a local theme are popular. For example, I created a street scene of Creswick for a shared exhibition at Art on Albert in the town and that was the top seller. Animal and bird themes are also popular. I guess you just need to create something that a few people really love rather than something that most people quite like.

Donna: I see you have won quite a few awards…
Colin: I won three prizes last year in regional art shows at Bacchus Marsh, Beaufort and Avoca. Two were for my artwork Uncle which was something I created using a new, experimental technique.
I was inspired by old black-and-white newspaper photos which, if you looked closely, you could see were printed using varying sizes of dots to create a convincing greyscale picture. I decided to try to do the same thing using a Dremel with different drill sizes to make the different dot sizes. My first trial image was not perfect but promising and I then created Uncle, an image of an imaginary Aboriginal elder, which I was very happy with.

Donna: Second last question, why Clunes?
Colin: We were inspired to convert a house to be totally sustainable after reading the book Sustainable House by Michael Mobbs. It all seemed a bit too hard to convert our Altona house for a variety of reasons so we decided to find some land and build one from the ground up. We looked all around Central Victoria but really fell in love with the Clunes area and found the ideal block on the corner of Clunes State Forest where we designed and built (literally) our off-grid, straw bale house. It is located on 70 acres of pristine forest and is the perfect place to create in peace away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.

Donna: Where can we see your work?
Colin: I currently have works in a few galleries. I have some prints at Castlemaine Market Arts Show in the Visitor Centre and in Gallery 127 in Avoca. I also have a small exhibition but with lots of prints in a flip-box at TBH Studio in Bridge Mall, Ballarat and some of my digital work is on display at Art on Albert in Creswick. I am in discussions for a solo exhibition at Gallery 127 later this year and will no doubt be entering work into various Rotary and other art shows. You can find me on Facebook at CC Art Printmaking or on my brand new website at www.ccartprintmaking.com

“The volume of new dwellings approved for construction decreased by 14.9 per cent in the month of December 2025 to 15,540,” stated HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released its monthly building approvals data for December 2025 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.

“This brought the total number of dwellings approved in 2025 to 195,730, which is 12.8 per cent higher compared to 2024,” added Mr Reardon.

“This month’s decline was driven by a 31.4 per cent fall in multi-unit approvals, which was barely offset by the 0.3 per cent increase in detached approvals.

“Multi-unit approvals, which include semi-detached homes and apartments, are volatile on a month-to-month basis.

“The December month’s volatility does not detract from the clear upwards trend in approvals, including for units, over the previous 12 months.

“In the 2025 calendar year, there were 82,330 multi-unit dwellings approved for construction. This is 31.4 per cent higher compared to 2024.

“Detached house approvals have been slowly but steadily picking up. In the 2025 calendar year, there were 113,410 detached homes approved for construction, which is 2.4 per cent higher compared to 2024.

“Approvals data for both segments indicate that market confidence continues to pick-up, as demand for housing remains elevated and buyers return to building a new home.

“Interest rate cuts in 2025 have helped bring more households back to the market. Many households remain in employment, which provides them with certainty of income.

“As such, established home prices have continued to grow above the rate of inflation, which suggests that demand far exceeds housing supply.

“This imbalance has seen more buyers of different types turn to new housing as a means of securing home ownership.

“The other sign of this imbalance has played out in the renovations market. Council-approved renovation work increased by 5.3 per cent in 2025, to $14.3 billion.

“This suggests that some households are turning to renovating their existing homes as opposed to moving out.

“The pickup in approvals data in 2025 is positive but remains below the 240,000 new homes required each year to reach the National Housing Accord’s 1.2 million homes target.

“Households cannot live in an approval, and these projects can only materialise if there are sufficient investment, infrastructure and incentive to bring them to market.

“Governments need to remove the additional costs imposed on land development and new home building if we are to achieve housing sufficiency,” concluded Mr Reardon.

South Australia saw the largest increase in dwelling approvals in the 2025 calendar year, up by 22.3 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms. This was followed by New South Wales (+21.0 per cent), Western Australia (+13.4 per cent), Queensland (+10.5 per cent) and Victoria (+2.1 per cent). Tasmania recorded a decline of 2.5 per cent in 2025. In trend terms, the Australian Capital Territory recorded an 86.1 per cent increase in approvals, while the Northern Territory increased by 51.6 per cent.

The TGA has issued infringement notices to Prime Medic Group and an individual for the alleged unlawful advertising of weight loss medicines, in contravention of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act).
One infringement notice for $19,800 was issued to Prime Medic, and one for $3,960 was issued to an individual. Prime Medic and the individual paid the infringement notices in January 2026.
Allegations relating to advertising of prescription-only medicines
Prime Medic operates an online telehealth platform offering consultations with doctors. It is alleged that Prime Medic advertised prescription-only weight loss medicines, including Ozempic and Mounjaro, directly to consumers between at least January and July 2025.
Under the Act, advertising prescription-only medicines to the public is prohibited. These restrictions exist to help prevent inappropriate demand for prescription treatments and to support safe use under clinical supervision.
Decisions about whether a prescription treatment is appropriate should be made by a patient in consultation with a qualified health professional, based on individual clinical circumstances.
Allegations relating to restricted or prohibited representations
It is also alleged that the advertising promoted the use of therapeutic goods for the treatment of serious diseases, conditions or disorders.
References of this kind are known as restricted or prohibited representations and must not be included in advertising for therapeutic goods unless approval or permission is granted by the TGA.

Reminder to health providers and advertisers
Health providers, advertisers, and publishers are reminded that they must understand and comply with their legal obligations before advertising therapeutic goods. This includes ensuring:

• prescription-only medicines are not promoted directly to consumers
• advertising does not include restricted or prohibited representations without the required approvals
• marketing content does not create inappropriate expectations about treatment access or suitability

The TGA encourages a risk-based approach to advertising compliance, including ensuring all material is reviewed before publication

The Albanese and Allan Governments continue to stand with communities affected by the devastating January 2026 Victorian bushfires, announcing $160 million in additional support to help families, businesses and primary producers.

Up to $158 million is funded by both Governments under joint Commonwealth‑State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), while the Allan Government is investing an extra $2 million for schools within fire-affected areas to engage additional mental health services.

Local government areas eligible for support are Alpine Shire, Ararat Rural City, Benalla Rural City, Campaspe Shire, Colac Otway Shire, Corangamite Shire, East Gippsland Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Greater Bendigo City, Horsham Rural City, Macedon Ranges Shire, Mansfield Shire, Mildura Rural City, Mitchell Shire, Moira Shire, Mount Alexander Shire, Murrindindi Shire, Pyrenees Shire, Strathbogie Shire, Towong Shire, Wellington Shire, Wodonga City, Yarra Ranges Shire and Lake Mountain Alpine Resort.

This funding builds on the more than $210 million in already announced relief and recovery supports for bushfire-affected Victorians, including emergency relief payments, grants for primary producers, access to emergency accommodation, and support for councils.

Clean-up for homes and businesses 

An additional $112 million will expand the state-coordinated Clean-up Program with Forge Solutions now appointed as lead contractor. Forge Solutions have extensive experience in disaster clean up and will prioritise engaging local contractors to support their work.

Clean-up support will be available for uninsured and underinsured residential homes and structures such as sheds or garages.

It will also be available for businesses if uninsured or underinsured structures have been damaged or destroyed by the January 2026 Victorian bushfires.

Uninsured and underinsured community assets – like sporting facilities and community halls – will also be able to access the clean-up program if clean-up is not covered by other programs.

Registrations for the Clean-up Program are now open. Call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 or visit Emergency Recovery Victoria website: vic.gov.au/clean-support-january-2026-bushfires.

Emergency Recovery Support Program 

Recovery has a long tail. To help people get the support they need throughout their recovery journey, an additional $20 million will expand the Emergency Recovery Support Program.

The program helps people affected by the bushfires navigate and access the government support programs and services they need. It can also help with things like insurance and legal questions, finding local services and connecting people to essential health and wellbeing support.

Dedicated recovery support workers will also be available for people who need extra help navigating their recovery.

The Emergency Recovery Support Program is available by calling the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.

Temporary accommodation

Further funding is being provided to ensure immediate accommodation supports are available to those who need it, while we work to provide medium to longer term accommodation options best suited to the recovery needs of individuals, families and communities.

Financial counselling and advisory support for businesses 

More than $1.7 million will go towards supporting business owners affected by the January 2026 bushfires by providing access to tailored business recovery advice and financial counselling.

The Business Recovery Advisory Service will be available on the ground and through the Business Victoria website. Business Recovery Advisors will deliver free, confidential one-on-one support to business owners, tailored to their circumstances and supporting their long-term recovery.

The Small Business Financial Counselling service will provide free and confidential financial counselling to businesses who are in financial risk or at risk of it due to the bushfires.

More information will be available on the Business Victoria website: business.vic.gov.au.

Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store rebuild 

Kickstarting Victoria’s agricultural recovery is a priority, with $500,000 going towards accelerating the rebuild of the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store facility.

More than 95 businesses in Harcourt and the surrounding region rely on the facility to keep apples, pears, seed potatoes, wine, craft beer and beehives at temperature.

Public land and waterway recovery

Funding of $16.1 million will support immediate repair works to public land and waterways, recognising the devastating impact the bushfires have had on the environment.

This includes making roads and bridges safe so they can open as quickly as possible, land management works, as well as pest control and critical mitigation of immediate risks to threatened species and biodiversity. It also includes catchment and waterway restoration activities undertaken with our Catchment Management Authorities, such as riparian fencing support for landholders, and immediate works to address water quality risks and remediate riparian areas.

Prolonged Power Outage Payments for businesses 

Almost $1.4 million will ensure businesses are able to access Prolonged Power Outage Payments if they have been without power for seven or more days within a two-week period.

Recognising the integral role small businesses play in communities and the impact of prolonged outages, payments of $3,088 per week will be available for up to three weeks.

As previously announced, eligible households can continue to apply for payments of $2,380 per week for up to three weeks.

Affected businesses can apply for a payment through their electricity distribution business. More information is available at energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages.

Recovery Water Tank Rebates 

Financial assistance will be available for bushfire-affected rural households that are not connected to mains water supply, with new program to help ensure access to safe drinking water.

Eligible households will receive a rebate of up to $1,500 for cleaning and decontaminating rain water tanks, roofs and gutters that are impacted by the fires. Residents who have already paid for cleaning are also eligible for reimbursement.

Mental health support

More than $6.9 million will deliver additional mental health and wellbeing support for those in bushfire-affected communities.

$4.9 million will expand the reach of existing Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals into areas affected by the bushfires – providing free treatment, care and support for adults.

A list of Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals can be found at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-wellbeing-locals.

We know the mental health and wellbeing of young people can suffer significantly after a disaster due to trauma, loss, and disruption. A $2 million investment by the Allan Government will ensure students in identified government schools affected by the fires can access additional mental health support.

How to help

The Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation (VERRF) has launched the January 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Victorians can provide financial support directly to communities impacted by the fires by visiting vic.gov.au/2026-Victorian-Bushfire-Appeal

Goods and services can also be donated through the charity GIVIT by visiting givit.org.au.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese  

“The Federal Government is working hand in hand with the Victorian Government to provide immediate support for communities impacted by the devastating bushfires.

“At the worst of times, we always see the best of the Australian character and we’re seeing that right here in Victoria.

“We’ve got their back, which is why we’re rolling out support now to support communities through the recovery.”

Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan 

“This is a locally-led recovery, informed by what bushfire-affected Victorians need – and we’re backing them with the funding they need to get on and recover from these devastating bushfires.”

“We’ll continue to stand with communities as they start building back better and stronger.”