As we come into summer and what we know will be a challenging fire season, the CFA is urging all Victorians to have a fire plan and know where to get emergency information from.

Two significant fires have already taken place in the Wimmera and Otways this Spring and the summer seasonal outlook shows there is an increased fire risk for most of the west, southwest, northeast, Greater Melbourne and southwestern parts of Gippsland including the Mornington Peninsula.  

In the west and southwest of Victoria there has been limited rainfall for the last 18 months that has resulted in a substantial amount of dead and dry plant material within forests, making it easier for fires to start and spread. 

Grasslands in the areas with a heightened risk have superficial green on top that conceals underlying dryness, meaning grassland curing is likely to start earlier than normal.

In the other parts of Victoria, including central Victoria and the Hepburn Shire area, the fire risk is expected to be normal but the state’s fire services are committed to continuing to monitor these areas to identify any significant changes to fire risk.  

The CFA says it’s ready to protect communities and has been working with other Victorian emergency service partners to prepare for fire season.  

Fire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services and the community with the CFA asking all Victorians in high-risk areas to take simple actions to prepare their family and property as the weather begins to warm.   

On hot, dry, windy days, fires can start and spread quickly. If the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic, leaving early before a fire has started is the safest option.  

The CFA is advising to never wait for an official warning before you leave, as you may not get one. Fires can  start quickly and threaten homes and lives within minutes.

The CFA is advising people to make sure they have a plan. If you wait and decide to leave after a fire has started, you risk driving through  thick smoke, fallen trees and power lines, and face the danger of collisions, being trapped by fire, serious injury or death. 

Stay informed by downloading the VicEmergency app to stay across incidents and fire danger ratings in your area. 

This story based on a CFA report

The Fire Danger Period officially started in both the Hepburn Shire and Macedon Ranges Shire areas this Monday.

The CFA declared the Fire Danger Period for both local municipalities became effective from 1am this Monday, November 25 and is scheduled to end on May 1 2025, unless otherwise advised.

This means no fires can be lit in the open air without a permit during this period.

In its long-range forecast for December to February shows, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast
an increased chance of warmer than average days and nights across most of Australia and that
above average rainfall is likely for large parts of eastern Australia.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s CEO, Bernie O’Sullivan, said several shire-wide fire prevention initiatives were already well progressed to cut grass along council-managed roadsides, keep trees clear from powerlines and reduce fuel loads on private properties.

“We know fire does not discriminate and so it is important for us to complete annual programs we’re
responsible for, while working closely with the community to collectively reduce the shire’s fire risk,”
he said.

“I encourage residents to either review their existing fire plan or take the time to create one, drawing
from the range of useful resources available online through trusted authorities such as the CFA.”

Annual fire prevention activities in council-managed areas to date have included:

• a roadside grass slashing program on Council-managed roads, with contractors starting in the
  north of the shire and working their way south to provide initial coverage of the shire (the
  Department of Transport and Planning undertakes its own program to maintain state-managed
  roadsides)
• an electric line vegetation clearance program within declared areas of Gisborne and Kyneton,
  to keep trees a safe distance away from powerlines (Powercor is responsible for pruning
  vegetation within the shire outside of Gisborne and Kyneton, with Jemena responsible for
  Gisborne South)
• inspections of private properties, checking for fire hazards such as unmaintained long grass,
  excessive woodpiles or other debris.
  One standard trailer-load of residential green waste can be disposed of for free at Council’s resource
  recovery facilities in Kyneton, Romsey and Woodend, via a redeemable voucher in the Winter 2024
  edition of Council’s ShireLife newsletter publication delivered to mailboxes locally.
  For more information on:
• preparing for fire and heat – visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/fire-heat
• Fire Danger Ratings and the Fire Danger Period – visit cfa.vic.gov.au
• applying for a permit – visit firepermits.vic.gov.au
• the latest information on current incidents and alerts – visit emergency.vic.gov.au
• Council’s resource recovery facilities, inc. green waste voucher – visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/RRF

Fire Restrictions for Hepburn Shires are scheduled to come into effect from 1am on Monday, November 25, the CFA has confirmed.

The restrictions for Hepburn are then scheduled to remain in place right the way through to May 1, 2025.

The Fire Danger Period (when these restrictions come into force) have the same start and end dates scheduled for the Macedon Rages Shire as well.

The Fire Danger Period is when the CFA restricts the use of fire in the community in order to help prevent fires from starting.

The CFA declares the Fire Danger Period for each municipality (shire or council) at different times in the lead up to the fire season, depending on the amount of rain, grassland curing rate and other local conditions.

The Fire Danger Period (restrictions coming into effect) is declared as early as October in some municipalities, and typically remains in place until the fire danger lessens, which could be as late as May.

The Fire Danger Period is not the same thing as a Total Fire Ban, and more information about restrictions is available through the CFA website.

If you’re passionate about taking action on climate change and helping the community reduce greenhouse gas emissions, then the Hepburn Shire’s Z-NET Roundtable may be for you.

Hepburn Z-NET is a collaborative partnership that brings together community groups, organisations, community members, experts and the local council to help shift the shire to zero-net energy by 2025 and zero-net emissions by 2030.

Those interested in being part of the roundtable are currently being encouraged to submit an expression of interest by 12pm on Monday November 25 via the Participate Hepburn website participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/hepburn-z-net

As part of Positive Ageing Month, the Hepburn Shire Council hosted a suite of events to remind residents of the creative and diverse ways they can stay connected socially.  

The month was off to a successful start with the Positive Ageing Expo on 10 October 2024, at the RACV Goldfields resort.

The event was attended by over 150 people and provided the opportunity for older people in the region to connect and network with other community members, community groups and service providers.  

Bradley Thomas, Hepburn Shire Council CEO, said the day was a fun-filled event that focused on providing support to some of the region’s older and more vulnerable residents. 

“Positive Ageing Month provides the platform to illustrate ways in which our residents can remain engaged in the community.” 

“It’s important to not just financially plan for our later life stages, but to look after our bodies and minds to keep us healthy and happy for as long as possible. Staying connected and spending time with loved ones and others in the community can positively impact us physically and mentally as we age.” 

Forty-six percent of Hepburn Shire’s population is aged over 55, 18 per cent, higher than Victoria’s average of 28 per cent. 

Last week the events closed out with a Healthy Eating, Healthy Conversations workshop where local Central Highlands Rural Health dietitian, nutritionist and Allied Health assistant hosted an interactive session on healthy eating. 

Other events included Friendship and Fun at the Men’s Shed (55+ men and women sessions) and Movement and Fun. 

These events support the implementation of Councils ‘No Barrier’ Positive Ageing Strategy 2022-2030. 

The Hepburn Shire Council has unanimously adopted Township Structure Plans for Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, Glenlyon, and Trentham, and also a Rural Hepburn Strategy at a Special Council Meeting held last week.  

The Township Structure Plans and Rural Hepburn Strategy were developed after extensive consultation with community panels, community and stakeholder groups throughout 2023, along with specialist technical advice from consultants and council officers with expertise in planning, ecology, infrastructure, transport, recreation, and economic development. 

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that this was a critical body of work for the shire’s future, and a key goal of the council plan.    

“The adoption of the Township Structure Plans and Rural Hepburn Strategy is the culmination of over two years work by our strategic planning team and others in the organisation and community, and is a once in a generation project,” Cr Hood said.

“We couldn’t have achieved this without the feedback, knowledge and expertise of our community.

“We listened and we acted on submissions thereby making community-informed changes to all the draft township plans and the Rural Hepburn Strategy.

“We believe our genuine engagement will put the next Councillor group in a strong position for the next phase of the project,” said Cr Hood. 

The final engagement period for the draft township structure plans and rural strategy ran between Wednesday 1 May to Wednesday 26 June 2024. 

Engagement included 32,441 page views of the Future Hepburn project page on Participate Hepburn, 12,971 letters and 8,016 text messages were sent to the community to encourage submissions.

There were also seven Community Information Sessions with 623 participants attending, a Future Hepburn webinar with 80 participants and 366 views, and a total of 577 submissions from community members and other stakeholders.  

“We thank community members and groups who provided feedback on these important strategic documents online or in-person. It played a vital role in arriving at the final documents,” Cr Hood said.

“Council is required to follow Victorian State Government planning policy mandates that all municipalities have sufficient land available to cater for projected population growth, and this was a significant driver for adopting these plans and strategy.

Strategic land use planning has been a major focus in this council term, embodied in the council Plan 2021-25.” 

“The adoption today does not mean any immediate changes to planning provisions. Changes will take some time and involve future planning scheme amendments, along with more formal community and stakeholder consultation. 

“There will also need to be future council decisions at key stages, independent expert scrutiny of council’s strategic work, and a decision from the Minister for Planning on whether to adopt or reject council’s proposed planning scheme amendments,” said Cr Hood. 

The council will now prioritise the administrative updating of the adopted documents incorporating changes, development of an implementation plan and advocacy to other tiers of government to assist with funding to proceed implementation of the plans.

Key elements of recommendations:

• Overarching settlement strategy – By planning the entire Shire as a whole, rather than in a piecemeal staged manner, we can better understand where growth should and should not go.
• Improved protection of prime agricultural land – Our precious agricultural land varies across the shire, and a more tailored approach will be achieved that better protects the vast majority of our land but also identifies that there are emerging and innovative new forms of agriculture that should be supported and encouraged. 
• Updated policies and controls will add clarity, consistency and certainty to all parties involved in Hepburn Shire’s planning processes. These include neighbours, landowners, public authorities, and council decision makers. VCAT decisions will also be better guided by our more specific, updated planning provisions that capture the diversity and uniqueness of the shire.
• Implement contemporary planning controls that will better protect township character, cultural heritage, and our environment.
• Community led visions for each town, which set out a future plan for housing, urban design, business, transport, environment and heritage, and community facilities
• Our structure plans and rural strategy can inform advocacy on future community facility and infrastructure grant funding, or advocacy on State led projects and infrastructure, for example lower speed limits or physical changes to main roads in our identified future pedestrian precincts.

The Hepburn Springs EV charger is so far proving to be the most popular charger in the Hepburn shire, at least for the last financial year.

The Hepburn Shire Council, quoting a post from Hepburn Energy, in recent days reported that people are charging their cars at Hepburn Springs for longer.

The council reported that: “Out of all of our EV Chargers across the Hepburn Shire in FY24, the Hepburn Springs charger had the highest number of uses and MWh consumed. This abated a total of 32.88 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions”.

“In particular, people charge their cars for longer sessions here, for both locals and visitors alike.”

The data findings prompted council staff to wonder whether the local attractions may have been a factor, “Positioned at the bathhouse who wouldn’t want to stay a little longer?” they pondered.

The council has also reported recently that the Creswick EV charge station is now back on line after it had been off line due to a technical issue.

This story based on a public social media post issued by Hepburn shire Council.

The Hepburn Shire Council has launched its inaugural Rainbow Action Plan (RAP)for LGBTIQA+ inclusion.

State ministers Harriet Shing and Mary-Anne Thomas officially launched the RAP in Daylesford on Tuesday.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said it was a pleasure to host Minister Shing and Minister Thomas to launch and celebrate this important plan.

“The plan commits Council to actions that will foster a safer and more welcoming community for all LGBTIQA+ people,” Cr Hood said.

“We recognise and celebrate the important contributions that our LGBTIQA+ people, businesses and visitors bring to the life of our shire. Together, we share an inclusive, resilient, vibrant, sustainable, innovative and diverse community,” he said.

The plan will help to ensure that all LGBTIQA+ people feel supported, connected, visible and safe in our community. It will also guide the council in providing an inclusive workplace for its LGBTIQA+ staff and volunteers.

“Through this Rainbow Action Plan, Council re-commits to achieving equality for LGBTIQA+ people. We will work to end LGBTIQA+ discrimination, and we affirm and defend the fundamental human rights of LGBTIQA+ people,” Cr Hood said.

Hepburn Shire Council is one of only 18 local government authorities in Victoria to adopt an LGBTIQA+ Action Plan.

Those keen to read a copy of the RAP can visit Rainbow-Action-Plan.

The Hepburn Shire Council has launched a free online business and community directory showcasing a wide range of services, goods and attractions available within its boundaries.

The new online resource showcases the diverse range of businesses, services and community organisations thriving within the wider local community.

From quaint cafes to artisanal boutiques, from essential services, local trades to recreational groups, the directory offers a one-stop destination for residents and visitors to discover and engage with a large variety of what the Hepburn Shire has to offer. 

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that he was excited to introduce the new online directory, which represents a significant milestone in the council’s ongoing commitment to support local businesses and community initiatives.  

“The directory not only promotes economic vitality by connecting residents with local businesses, but also strengthens community cohesion by highlighting the important contributions of community organisations,” said Cr Hood. 

Key features of the directory include comprehensive listings to browse a wide range of businesses categories, services and organisations for easy navigation and a user-friendly navigation interface.  

The launch of the online directory aligns with the council’s broader vision to promote economic resilience, foster community connections and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.  

“By providing a centralised platform for businesses and community organisations to showcase their offerings, the directory serves as a driver for growth, innovation and collaboration within our community,” said Cr Hood. 

Local businesses and community groups or service providers will need to create an account and then submit their details, including their logo, location and contact details. Once approved these will be published on the local directory. 

To explore or create a free listing on the Hepburn Shire Council’s Business and Community Directory, those interested can visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Council/Find-a-local-directory . 

The township of Trentham hosted a celebration late last week for recipients of grants aimed at improving biodiversity and environmental health throughout the Hepburn Shire.

Representatives from the Hepburn Shire Council and many community groups (pictured above) were present at the event, with a total of $80,111 distributed to groups across the shire. 

The council had received six applications for its Sustainable Hepburn Grants Program in 2024.

The applications represented a significant effort by organisations within the shire to help reduce emissions and become more energy efficient.

The assessment panel recommended all six applications for funding through the program with the total amount funded through this program $39,743.

Seven applications were received for the Biodiversity Grants Program in 2024. The applications represented a diverse range of activities focused on supporting and enhancing biodiversity in the shire.

For the first time, this year’s program featured a new 24-month category to allow for larger and longer term management of reserves and natural resources.

The assessment panel recommended the five highest scoring applications for funding through the program.  The total amount funded through this program for both 12 and 24- month applications is $27,368.

Thirteen applications were received for project funding through the Environment Group Grants Program 2024.

Applicants were invited to apply for the program and for the first time this year’s program extended beyond Landcare groups, to also include other organisations working in the environmental space.

All 13 applications were recommended by the assessment panel for funding and a total of $13,000 will be funded to environmental organisations this year.

Grant recipients are: 

Biodiversity Grants Program in 2024 

Hepburn Gardens for Wildlife awarded $4,780 for their 12-month project Better Gardens and Landscapes. 

Wattle Flat- Pootila Landcare Group awarded $7,490 for the 24-month project to Linking Creswick to Wombat. 

Shepherds Flat Landcare Group – awarded $4,634 for their 12-month project Noxious Weed Management at the Larni Barramul Yaluk, Mullers Lane Reserve, Shepherds Flat 

Friends of Kangaroo Creek Wheatsheaf, auspiced by Wombat Forestcare – awarded $8,000 for their 24-month project: Reinforcing collaborative blackberry control along Kangaroo Creek, Wheatsheaf. 

Friends of Cornish Hill awarded $2,464 for their 12-month project Redesign and replacement of large information board at Smith Creek Reserve, south-western end. 

Sustainable Hepburn Grants Program in 2024 

Trentham Sustainability Group – awarded $11,250 for their project Energy Resilient Trentham 

Daylesford Community Child Care Centre – awarded $7,500 for their project Powering our children’s future. 

Creswick Neighbourhood Centre – awarded $7,500 for their project A Cleaner, Greener, Comfortable for all CNC. 

Trentham Golf Club – awarded $9,000 for their project Trentham Golf Club Solar PV extension. 

Bullarto Hall Committee of Management – Awarded $2,993, for their project Solar to Bullarto Hall 

Friends of Cornish Hill – Awarded $2,000 for their project Renewable Energy efficient small equipment purchase.

Environment Group Grants Program 2024 ($1,000 each) 

The following groups were successful: 

Shepherds Flat Landcare Group

Friends of Cornish Hill 

Wattle Flat-Pootilla Landcare Group 

Trentham Public Purpose Reserves Committee of Management

 Wombat Forestcare

 Rocky Lead Landcare Group 

LVI-MT Bolton/Beckworth Landcare Group

Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare Group 

Trentham District Landcare Group 

Cornish Hill Committee of Management 

Clunes Landcare and Waterways Group

Bald Hills-Creswick Landcare Group Inc 

Great Dividing Trail Association.  

In the Hepburn Shire LGA alone a total $13,883,548 was poured into the pokies for the 23-24 financial year, the latest Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission figures show.

Statewide, regional Victorians poured a massive $692 million into poker machines in the 2023-24 financial year, the biggest regional spend on the machines ever recorded by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission.

At a per capita level, the amount poured into the pokies in Hepburn shire equated to $249 per person, while in the City of Ballarat LGA the rate worked out at $538 per head of the population.

The number of machines in the Hepburn Shire local government area is 167 while in the neighbouring local government area of Macedon Ranges Shire the number of poker machines is 103.

In the Macedon Ranges Shire LGA a total $9,695,883 was fed into the pokies in the 23-24 financial year, equating to a spending rate of $183 per capita.

Geelong – which has the most pokies of any LGA in the state – poured $136 million into the machines, the largest amount for any regional LGA, while Ballarat was the second biggest pokies spender in regional Victoria.

Victoria-wide amount fed into gaming machines topped a record $3 billion for the financial year, and the findings in regional Victoria come despite nine regional local government areas having no pokies.

Taking those nine pokie-free LGAs into account, the commission’s figures show that country Victorians spent more per capita than Melbourne residents, with an average $557 fed into the pokies compared to $548 in metro Melbourne.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission data shows that Ballarat gamblers were feeding nearly $174,000 a day into the machines over the past year, pouring $63,550,282.39 all up into the pokies over the 23-24 financial year.

And the commission’s number crunching shows that despite its larger population, Greater City of Bendigo gamblers fed $58,668,802.26 into the gaming machines in the same period – $5 million less than Ballarat.

Coastal Warrnambool notched up the highest comparative per capita spend rate for any regional LGA, pouring the equivalent of $646 into the pokies for each one of its 35,907 residents.

Of course, it needs be noted that in actuality, a much smaller number of people would have accounted for the millions of dollars in losses.

All up a total $23.2 million was spent on Warrnambool poker machines in 2023-24, an all-time record for the coastal location the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission figures show.

If you’re struggling with gambling addiction, contact Gambler’s Help on 1800 858 858 or visit the website.

Words: Eve Lamb. Image: Supplied

The Hepburn Shire Council’s Quick Response Grants program has opened for applications from local community groups and organisations.

The council’s Quick Response Grants are designed to support community groups who may have experienced an unforeseen disruption, urgent issue or to facilitate smaller projects that are less costly than the amount available in the Community Grants scheme.

Grant applications will be assessed monthly in an effort to ensure a timely response to community issues.

Applicants can apply for a grant up to $1,000 at any time but can only receive one Quick Response Grant per year.

Due to the upcoming Council Election in October, the outcome of grant applications received after 17 September cannot be announced until after 26 November 2024.

More information about the program is available from the council.

As Hepburn Shire residents prepare to vote for a wardless council this October, the Municipal Association of Victoria is preparing to deliver several Stand for Council information sessions for those thinking of standing.

A local candidate information session, hosted by City of Ballarat, will be held on Thursday 8 August at the Ballarat Town Hall from 6pm to 8.30pm.

The session can be attended either in-person. For more information and to register, visit the MAV website or email standforcouncil@mav.asn.au .

The Victorian Electoral Commission has announced that local government elections will be held across the state in October.

Voting in this election will by post with ballot packs to be be mailed to all enrolled voters from Monday 7 October.

The packs will contain a ballot paper, candidate statements, a reply-paid envelope and a leaflet with instructions in other languages.

Voting is compulsory. Those who are eligible must vote in the council election for their state-enrolled address.

If you own more than one property, it is optional to enrol for those additional properties you pay rates on in other councils but once you enrol you must vote in that election as well.

Voting papers must be mailed or delivered to an electoral office no later than 6:00 pm on Friday October 25.

Daylesford has been named the best Small Tourism Town for 2024 in the TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town awards.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that only five places made it to the finals and the council was thrilled to have won the award against some formidable competition.
“Daylesford is beautiful in all seasons, with visitors travelling great distances to spend time rejuvenating and seeking wellness experiences. The town’s natural beauty, including Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens and the top-quality amenities around Lake Daylesford, has always drawn people for weddings and celebrations, and to escape from the city.
“We have a vibrant arts community and events throughout the year. Set amidst heritage buildings and hills and forests, Daylesford will continue to draw people from many walks of life for rest and recreation, be it short-term or for more lengthy stays.”
Daylesford’s nomination was put forward by Daylesford Macedon Tourism in partnership with the council. The award is judged on a demonstration of commitment to tourism and increasing visitation, excellent visitor experience, and exhibiting collaboration with tourism operators, local businesses and the community.
Daylesford won in the category ‘Top Small Tourism Town’ (population between 1500 and 5000) against Heathcote, Koroit, Maldon and Sorrento.
The awards were announced at an event in Lancefield last Thursday, July 26.

Above, Hepburn Shire Council acting CEO Dr Karina Lamb, Mayor Cr Brian Hood & Economic Development & Visitor Economy coordinator Bridgette O’Brien

Hepburn Shire Councillor Juliet Simpson has tendered her resignation, effective as of this Monday July 22.

Cr Simpson was elected to the Holcombe Ward in 2020, and was elected as Deputy Mayor in November 2023.

She served on the Audit and Risk Committee from November 2022, and also on the Mineral Springs Reserve Advisory Committee and the Heather Mutimer International Women’s Day Honour Roll Advisory Committee from 2020-2022.

Dr Karina Lamb, Acting CEO, said the council would like to thank Cr Simpson for her dedication and service to the community throughout her term, and wish her the very best for the future.

“While Cr Simpson’s resignation creates an extraordinary vacancy in the Holcombe Ward, a by-election will not be conducted so close to the end of the Council term. The seat will remain vacant until the outcome of the General Election to be held on 26 October 2024,” said Dr Lamb.

Community members in the Holcombe Ward are encouraged to contact Mayor Brian Hood or another councillor for support and advocacy regarding local issues: https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Council/About-Council/Councillors

The council has notified the Minister for Local Government and the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) as per the Local Government Act 2020.