December 9th, 2022Message from the mayor

Council officers have completed an assessment of all Shire roads and determined that 459 roads (74% of the Shire’s 1400 kilometres of roads) were damaged during the storms in October.

We have contractors working as quickly as possible to repair the roads across the Shire. We appreciate your patience and remind everyone to please drive to conditions.Summer has officially begun! Well, at least we hope and plan that it has! Some key points to keep in mind for the fire danger preparation and aquatics season:•We know that our landscape across much of the Shire is stillsaturated. However, the fire season will approach quickly andwe want you to be prepared. Reducing vegetation around yourhome is one of the most important things you can do to keepyour home safe during a bushfire. We have preparation advice,including a list of local slashing contractors if you require helpat www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/fire. The Country Fire Authorityalso has extensive information about preparing for the firedanger period at www.cfa.gov.au.•Our aquatics season is underway and entry is again free to ourpublic pools and aquatic facilities across the Shire. The poolsare well used on the warmer days throughout summer. We arestill recruiting for staff to join the Aquatics Team. Employingmore staff will enable us to expand opening hours. If you areinterested or would like to know more please visitwww.hepburn.vic.gov.au/jobs. We will have daily operatinghour updates on our Facebook page every afternoon.Walk Against Violence – Thanks to all across the Shire who participated in this initiative of Council. The walk is part of 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, a problem that disturbingly continues to fester in the Victorian community. It runs until 10 December, which is International Human Rights Day. It’s been wonderful to see so many events underway, and what a delight it has been to head along and participate. In the last week we have had the very successful Trentham Twilight Night, the Daylesford Show, Daylesford Highland Gathering, Carols in Trentham and Glenlyon Antique Fair. We have Sue’s Twilight Christmas markets, Christmas in Clunes and the Kingston Show in the coming weeks. You are encouraged to attend events in your area, support local traders and have fun.

From: Cr Brian Hood