February 19th, 2024Big election year ahead for council

With local government elections set for later this year, 2024 will be a significant year for the Hepburn Shire council and its elected councillors, the Hepburn mayor, Cr Brian Hood has foreshadowed.

“2024 will prove to be an exceptionally busy and important year for council and for councillors in particular,” he says.

“As this is the fourth year of our term we are heading to elections in late October, as are all Victorian councils. Our final council meeting will be held on 17 September after which we go into caretaker mode.

“Councillors are therefore determined to advance a number of critically important pieces of work by the end of our term.

“In that regard community members should watch out for draft town structure plans being released in coming weeks for further consultation.

“We are aiming to finalise these plans by the end of the term and then forwarding them to the state government for formal adoption.”

Arrangements for the October election are yet to be released by the state government. Their announcement will clarify the ward structure for Hepburn Shire, following last year’s electoral review.

“Ahead of the election we expect there will be legislative change aimed to strengthen oversight of councils by the state government, improve dispute resolution mechanisms, reforms to strengthen
council leadership and performance and greater controls over councillor conduct,” Cr Hood said.