Hepburn Shire Council mayor Don Henderson has issued a statement following the state government’s recent temporary backdown on the controversial emergency services levy (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund).

In a statement Cr Henderson said:

“While we welcome the temporary reprieve announced by the State Government regarding the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, it remains only a short-term fix to a broader issue that continues to place farmers at an unfair disadvantage.

“We urge the State Government to urgently carry out a full review of the levy and implement a permanent, more equitable solution. Farmers are already under significant pressure due to ongoing drought conditions and rising operational costs.

“Council has previously written to both the Treasurer and the Minister for Local Government to express our concern that the levy places a disproportionate financial burden on rural and regional communities like ours, particularly on our primary producers. We will also be writing to the Premier.”

The council has confirmed that it will continue to advocate for a permanent review of the levy.

A new tree planted in the historic Daylesford Avenue of Honour remembers the life of Daylesford’s Private Thomas Alfred Chaplain who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War I.

“We gather to honour and remember Private Thomas Alfred Chaplain, a son of Daylesford, who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War,” said Hepburn Shire Council mayor, Cr Don Henderson, attending the tree planting ceremony last Sunday (March 31).

Born in 1882, Thomas attended Daylesford State School and later worked as a miner. In May 1915, at the age of 33, he enlisted in Brisbane, joining the 26th Infantry Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force.

Thomas’ journey led him to the battlefields of Gallipoli, where he faced harrowing conditions of war. Tragically, he succumbed to dysentery on November 8, 1915, aboard the hospital ship HS Galeka. He was laid to rest at sea and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in Turkey.

“May this tree grow strong and tall, a lasting symbol of their resilience and sacrifice,” Cr Henderson said.

“And may we, as a community, always honour their memory by living lives worthy of the price they paid.”

This story based on a Hepburn shire Council media statement. Image: supplied

Many years of lobbying to see the speed limit reduced from 100km to a uniform 80km on a section of the Midland Highway at Creswick now look as though they will soon pay off for locals concerned about safety.

“We have committed to reduce the speed limit on the Midland Highway outside Creswick by the end of May,” a Victorian Government spokesperson has confirmed.

Creswick locals had long lobbied to have the short 100km section of the main road out of town on the Ballarat side of Creswick brought in line with the connecting 80km limit, amid safety concerns.

Last April, responding to the concerns, the Hepburn Shire Council resolved to contact the Department of Transport seeking the proposed speed reduction on the short stretch of Midland Highway that passes the main entrance to Creswick’s RACV Forest Resort. 

With the 100km section also passing through a pre-existing wildlife corridor, the high rate of wildlife trauma in the area has also been highlighted as devastating for wildlife, increasing the danger for motorists and frequently upsetting visitors and locals.

Until now, however, the council had not heard back from the department in response to the request it submitted for the 80km section to be extended.

But after The Local recently ran a story examining where the issue was at, and amid further inquiries lodged by locals, news came through, via the office of local MP Martha Haylett, confirming that:

“DTP (Department of Public Transport) has reviewed the speed zone on the approach to township of Creswick.

“Based on the number of access points in this location, including the RACV Resort entrance and O’Keefes Dam recreation area, it has been assessed that extension of the existing 80km/h zone is considered appropriate.

“DTP will now seek approval for the implementation of the 80 km/h speed limit extension.”

Among the many Creswick residents pleased to hear of the development, local wildlife rescuer Marg Phillips says bringing the 100km section in line with the existing 80km zone will significantly improve safety for locals, visitors and wildlife.

“There has been research done in the Geelong area that found reducing the limit by just 20km reduced kanagaroo hits by over 50 percent,” she said.

“They found it made a huge difference. I hope they get these (new 80km) signs up before winter because that’s the worse period for roo hits along there. And then the road is wet and icy and even more dangerous.”

Hepburn Shire Council mayor Don Henderson has also welcomed the news and says he expects it will now take four to six weeks to see the 100km section brought in line with the adjoining 80km section.

“It’s so important to locals and people who live and work in the (RACV) resort. They run the gauntlet all the time, and for people who use that road, and particularly for people who are visitors and who don’t know the road,” Cr Henderson said.

Words & Image: Eve Lamb

The Hepburn Shire Council is seeking approval for a higher rate cap for the 2025/26 financial year in a bid to secure long-term financial stability.

The council is applying for a total rate increase of 10 per cent for 2025/26  which includes a 7 per cent increase to the existing 3 per cent rate cap announced in  December by the Local Government minister.  

An additional 7 per cent rate rise would be on average equal to $2.20 per  property per week but will generate $1.36 million to invest in programs and services.  The proposal has now been submitted to the Essential Services Commission  and aligns with the council’s financial vision 2024-2027 that was endorsed at last  September’s Special Council Meeting.  

The move is being made in a bid to ensure financial viability and long-term  sustainability, the council said in a media statement.  

Mayor Cr Don Henderson says the council is committed to ensuring it can  continue to provide essential services for the community in the years ahead.  

“General rates and charges are council’s biggest revenue stream, making up 66 per  cent in the financial year 2024/25,” Cr Henderson said.  

“Operating in a financially sustainable way can be challenging when we have a  smaller population size than the average council and when we are working from a  historically low rate base.  

“This proposed rate cap adjustment will form part of ensuring we meet our  regulatory requirements and help guarantee the financial stability of council, which is  crucial to delivering services and infrastructure for our residents.  

“Councils, and especially rural councils, do not have enough revenue sources, and  this has been acknowledged by both state and federal governments.  

“We understand that there are many in the community struggling under cost-of living pressures and this decision is not being made lightly.  

“Rest assured, we are continuously seeking efficiencies to minimise the financial  burden on ratepayers to ensure that we improve our financial position to support our  community.”  

An increase of $2.20 per week would mean an extra $114.40 for someone now  paying $1144. However the rates for a modest home in Glenlyon would be $3907.  

Hepburn Shire Council is no longer financially sustainable, Cr Brian Hood  has told a meeting of concerned residents at Trentham last week.  

Cr Hood said it was time the state government looked at merging Hepburn Shire  into other local government areas because it no longer had the ability to continue to  provide services at their current levels – even with a 10 per cent rise in rates.  

About 90 people attended the town meeting with the majority from Trentham.  After talking about the town structure plans, Cr Hood moved to the four-year  council plan and the “overly ambitious” previous four-year plan.  

“It strayed away from core business. It had five focus areas, I think 23 priority  statements and 116 strategies. And while there were some successes along the way and  lots of good stuff got done, it was just trying to do too much all over the place.  

“On the capital side of things, we built the Mechanics at Trentham and the sports  ground rooms, we did Creswick Town Hall, Creswick Trails, Bullarto Station, all  those sort of things, no qualms about that.

“But I showed them (the meeting) a slide  on the operating performance with all the day-to-day activities and services and that  was a bit of an eye-opener to everybody.  

“The deficits incurred over the past four years were sizable each and every year  and were getting bigger. And it just said, look, the plan wasn’t affordable. Yes, there  were successes in it, but we’ve got to stop doing what we’re doing there and get back  to whatever we determine to be basics.”

Cr Hood said the projected $4 million a year cash gap was largely caused by  escalating costs and also the cumulative effect of rate capping.

“We started from a  very low position, unfortunately, when they brought in capping, and that then got  entrenched into it. And each year whenever we’ve had a rate cap increase, it’s always  been below CPI. So that’s really put the squeeze on.  

“We’re small. And of course, the other geographic factor is we’ve got four or  five centres, so there’s a lot of inefficiency or duplication where, unlike, say, Mount  Alexander Shire where everything’s in Castlemaine, we’ve got Clunes and Creswick  and Daylesford and so on. So it’s not an excuse, it’s just a reality.”  

Cr Hood said that while The Rex was a financial and governance disaster, if it had  never happened the council would still be facing a $4 million gap going forward.  

“We have looked long and hard at selling surplus land and buildings, but to be  frank, we really don’t have anything that’s not being used.  

“The other thing that we’ve done with the capital works program is we’re now  only doing renewal work. We’re not building any new assets, there’s no cash for it.  

“If we get the rate increase of 10 per cent it would give us $1.36 million. The  other $2.64 million is coming from service changes, cost reductions, that sort of  thing, which is going to be pretty challenging.

“We’re looking at what are we going to  leave the same? What are we going to give a minor cut to? What are we going to give  a big cut to? What are we going to stop?  

“And the best case outcome is if we get the 10 per cent rate increase then we’d be  left with a council that has completely shrunk and can’t deliver all of its services. But  people are paying 10 per cent more in their rates.  

“But worse still, from a risk point of view, there’s absolutely no cash sitting there  for the next storm or flood or bushfire, any emergency. We’re running on empty.  (And) if we happen to get grants from other levels of government, we can’t accept  them because we’d have no cash for co-contributions.  

“We’d just maintain what we’ve got. If you live on an unmade road today, it’s still  going to be unmade in 10 years’ time.”  

Cr Hood said those at the meeting then asked if Plan B was carving up Hepburn  Shire to merge with other local governments.

“And I said, yes, we have been (talking  about that). Several of us have reached this conclusion. We’ll advocate, particularly  to the new minister, who we’re seeing very soon, that this sort of review needs to be  done.  

“So it’s now up to the state government. Would they send Creswick to Ballarat?  Would they send Clunes to Central Goldfields or Pyrenees? Would they send  Daylesford to Mt Alexander? Would they send Trentham to Macedon Ranges or  Moorabool. Who knows?  

“I’ve only got as far as saying if we cut all these services and costs and get a rate  increase, that’s not a great outcome for the community at all. There needs to be  something better. And we need to convince the state government to look at the bigger  picture, that we’re just too small to be viable.”  

Before December 31 each year, the Minister for Local Government sets the  council rate cap for the next financial year.

If the cap does not meet a council’s needs, the council can submit a higher cap application for up to four years of higher caps at  a time.

Rate caps started in 2016-2017 at 2.5 per cent. They dropped to a low of 1.5  per cent in 2022-23, reached a high of 3.5 per cent in 2023-2024 and in 2025-2026  are set at 3 per cent.  

Words: Donna Kelly  

The Australian Government has officially given the green light to the Victorian Goldfields’ bid for World Heritage Listing.

The move marks a historic milestone after 35 years of advocacy, and follows its successful inclusion on Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List.

This significant achievement is the result of a collaborative effort led by 15 councils across the Victorian Goldfields, with Hepburn Shire Council a proud partner in the landmark initiative.

Other partners include Traditional Owners, the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, and local and international experts.

World Heritage listing aims to bring international attention to the extraordinary story of the Victorian Goldfields, recognised as one of the most significant gold mining regions in the world.

Hepburn Shire mayor, Cr Don Henderson has expressed his excitement about the successful inclusion on Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List announced last Friday (january 31)

“Achieving UNESCO World Heritage would preserve our region’s rich history, while creating long-term social, cultural, and economic opportunities for communities across the Goldfields,” Cr Henderson said.

“It should also encourage and promote responsible recreational prospectors coming to our region.

“This is a pivotal moment for the Victorian Goldfields and for all the communities that have been a part of this historic journey.

“Achieving World Heritage status will not only celebrate our shared history but will help foster sustainable growth and global awareness of the region’s unique cultural and environmental significance.

“Victorian Goldfields represents the most extensive, coherent, and best-surviving nineteenth century global gold rush landscape anywhere in the world,” said Barry Gamble, Chief Advisor to the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid.

The future recognition of the Victorian Goldfields as a World Heritage site would not only preserve its historical landmarks, but is also expected to boost local economies, foster pride, and attract people from around the world to experience the region’s stunning landscapes, historic towns, and cultural treasures.

This story based on a Hepburn Shire Council media release

‘Standing room only’ is the way a meeting held in Creswick this month to  discuss local concerns about crime – and try to find solutions – has been described.  

An estimated 130 to 150 local residents gathered at the town’s senior citizens rooms and met with police after a perceived rise in crime in the town has left many  residents deeply concerned and fed up.  

Social media posts had triggered a community discussion about crime, with  residents sharing phone and CCTV footage of individuals in the act of casing parked cars after dark and hooning around the town.

Police say the stats show the area’s crime rate has actually decreased since 2016-17,  many locals say they’re extremely fed up with what they’re seeing.  

Theft of private and public property – ranging from cars to copper piping and  even water meters – property damage, and burglary of local businesses are among the many recent complaints from the wider Creswick-Clunes area.  

In an effort to help tackle the issue, Hepburn shire mayor and Creswick local Cr Don Henderson convened this month’s public meeting, with local police and Member for Ripon Martha Haylett attending.

Cr Henderson says the meeting was constructive, allowing locals a chance to voice their concerns and experiences.

He says the formation of a taskforce bringing together  police, local government and support services, is now a priority.  

“It was positive. It highlighted to police and to Martha that we want something  done,” Cr Henderson said.

“A taskforce needs to be set up and people want it to happen reasonably quickly.  

“We need to tackle it as a community. There are a lot of families that are very  financially stressed, a lot of desperation, a lot of drug issues and a lot of mental health  issues.  

“We want to provide a safety net for people who genuinely need help. The idea of a taskforce is not just to catch the crooks but also to provide some answers to the  social problems.”  

Cr Henderson also believes the meeting resulted in residents gaining useful insights into how policing in Creswick and across the wider region operates, increasing community confidence around reporting crime, and about their ability to  obtain police attendance if required, at any hour.  

Creswick’s Acting Sergeant Marley Mookhoek, who attended, also rates the  meeting as positive.

He said that while the town’s station operates on 16-hour shift rosters, the community does have police coverage 24 hours a day.  

“A main concern of the community was that we are not a 24-hour station but  we do have 24-hour coverage in this area. We have units from Ballarat and Bacchus  Marsh patrolling this area.  

“Right now we’ve got six members (stationed at Creswick) which I believe is the most this station has ever had – and another one is gazetted.  

“I think that the meeting was great for the community to have a talk about what  they want to have addressed – a bigger emphasis on hoon behaviour and a bigger  emphasis on opportunistic crime.”

Acting Inspector Mookhoek said a weekend State Highway Patrol road blitz in the area had immediately followed the meeting and recorded strong results.  

“As a result of the operation two motorists were caught driving under the  influence of drugs, one drink driver was charged, three lost their licences due to excess speed, and we also impounded a car in Creswick yesterday (last Wednesday, January  22).  

“That vehicle was unregistered and was being driven by a 17-year-old driver who was unlicenced. And that State Highway Patrol operation is ongoing.”  

Acting Sergeant Mookhoek said much of the crime that has been occurring  locally is opportunistic, involving properties or cars that have been left unlocked.

He  urged locals to ensure they lock their houses, garages and cars.  “Most of the offences that are getting reported to us are opportunistic thefts.  

Seven out of 10 burglaries in Creswick involve houses being unlocked.  “I just want the community to know that we are here and very enthusiastic about  doing the best we can in helping the community.”

Ripon MP Martha Haylett, who attended the meeting, says she has raised the  issue with Police Minister Anthony Carbines.  

“A lot of great ideas were shared about how we can better address crime locally,” Ms Haylett said in a social media post following the meeting.  

“I have invited the Police Minister to visit and talk through options, and will keep  the community updated on next steps.  “Any victim of crime is one too many and our community deserves to feel safe.”  

Words & image: Eve Lamb  

Hepburn Shire Council has officially opened the 60-kilometre mountain bike trail network, Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails) with a special event at the Hammon Park trailhead in Creswick held on Saturday.

Mayor Cr Don Henderson said the event was a festive culmination of years of hard work from multiple stakeholders, and years of advocacy by the community and the council.

“We know that the community was very much looking forward to this and we are proud of what we have been able to achieve with a diverse range of stakeholders,” Cr Henderson said.

Despite the rainy weather on the day, there was an impressive turn out at the opening on Saturday November 30, many who made the trek from Melbourne and beyond.

The trail network was designed for a wide range of abilities and skill levels and works to build a healthy, connected community, Cr Henderson said.

The 60-kilometre trail network is designed for a wide range of abilities and skill levels and works to build a healthy, connected community,” said Cr Henderson.

The project is being hailed as instrumental in strengthening the relationship between the Hepburn Shire Council and DJAARA. The branding and signage suite has been designed by Dja Dja Wurrung enterprise DJANDAK and features art by Nukara Nicholls-Moore, a Dja Dja Wurrung artist.

The trail network is expected to generate positive tourism outcomes, including increased visitation, providing a strong return to local and regional businesses and tourism destinations.

Cr Henderson said that since the partial opening of the trails in August, the trails have been extremely popular, and well-used by local and visiting mountain bikers and biking groups.

“We are noticing our local mountain bikers taking advantage of this trail network that weaves its way through Creswick’s iconic landscape,” he said.

“Village of the Old Goldfields Association (VOGA) and Ride Creswick are two local groups that have been putting the trails to the test, and we have heard from our business community who are seeing an increase in customers,” he said.

“The trails are extremely popular, so we understand that they will need to be monitored, along with any impacts on nearby residents,” said Cr Henderson.

The council has committed resources to the ongoing auditing and maintaining of the trails. 

The Whale Tail, a black or extremely difficult jump line, was also re-opened after being closed for a full safety audit. Some minor changes have been made to improve the approach to the jump.

The $9.4 million project included funding from the State Government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund ($2.56 million), with additional funding coming from State Government ($2.1 million) and the Creswick Community Bank ($250,000) to supplement Council’s contribution to the Hammon Park redevelopments.

Hepburn Shire’s Councillor Don Henderson has been elected mayor with Councillor Lesley Hewitt elected as deputy mayor for the first year of the new four-year council term.

Cr Henderson said he was extremely proud to lead and have the support of the new councillor group.

“It is an honour to take on this role and I feel privileged to represent the community of Hepburn Shire,” Cr Henderson said.

Cr Henderson has been on council since 2008. He has worked as a self-employed construction contractor and safety and industrial relations consultant.

He has been advisor to the Australian Workers Union and the Victorian Building Industry Board and president of the Ballarat Trades and Labour Council.

The new Hepburn Shire mayor has also held a role with the inaugural steering committee of National Women in Construction, was the secretary of the Building Workers Industrial Union and has served as a board member and director on company and industry boards and the Homeless Building Trust.

Cr Henderson was born and raised on the Creswick goldfields and has also served as mayor from 2013 to 2014 and again in 2018 to 2019, and deputy mayor from 2012 to 2013.

Councillor Lesley Hewitt, elected as deputy mayor, also for a one-year term, is a retired social worker who has worked in sexual assault and child protection front line services and policy development.

Cr Hewitt was Hepburn Shire Council mayor from 2020 to 2021 and deputy mayor from November 2022 to November 2023.

“I look forward to supporting Councillor Don Henderson in the mayoral role and continuing to support the community in our new unsubdivided council structure,” Cr Hewitt said,

Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas said he was pleased to have an experienced team leading the first year of the new council term.

“Cr Don Henderson and Cr Lesley Hewitt bring experience and leadership to the roles and I look forward to working closely with them as we move forward with some key projects, including the development of an updated community vision and council plan,” Mr Thomas said.

“I would like to acknowledge Cr Brian Hood for his work and dedication as mayor over the last two years of the previous council term.”

Creswick ward councillor Don Henderson has received a 15-year service award for his outstanding contribution to Hepburn Shire at the Municipal Association of Victoria Annual Conference Gala Dinner last week.

Cr Don Henderson is the longest serving councillor since Hepburn Shire was formed in 1995.  

“It has been an honour to serve the community in the Creswick ward since being elected in 2008. Apart from my 15 years as a councillor, I have also served two terms as mayor,” Cr Henderson said. 

“I have always regarded myself as a councillor for the whole shire, and also the region. My time on council has been a great opportunity to contribute to and empower our community. I have been made to feel welcome and a part of the extended family of many residents,” he said. 

“Some may say that being a councillor is a thankless job, but I have not experienced that at all, in fact the opposite. I have enjoyed the great diversity of opinion and ideas that I have found in staff, fellow councillors and the community.” 

Mayor Cr Brian Hood said the dedication shown by Cr Don Henderson during his time as an elected councillor was commendable.  

“Being re-elected to a fourth term as the Creswick ward councillor is a testament to his popularity and commitment to the community,” said Cr Hood. 

“Cr Henderson is passionate about helping his community thrive and ensuring his leadership leaves a positive legacy for the shire today and into the future. We sincerely thank him for his service over these 15 years.”