The Hepburn Shire Council says it’s making solar power more accessible to low-income households through the Solar Savers program, which is now in its sixth year.

The program was first delivered in Hepburn in 2018, with 102 solar systems delivered to households to date.  

A mail-out to local pensioners had resulted in “yet another strong show of interest” and the program was now working with interested households to assess the suitability and benefits of solar at each property.  

The council says it intends to report back early in 2024 as the project prepares for the installation stage and is directing those keen to know more to check out its website.    

Hepburn shire residents can can now purchase low-cost e-“waste” items at Creswick and Trentham Transfer Stations.

This follows the success of the e-waste recovery pilot at Daylesford Transfer Station, the Hepburn Shire Council has reported in the final edition of its Sustainable Hepburn newsletter for 2023.
   
Electronic items that pass safety inspections are now available through the shire’s resource recovery Shops (aka tip shops). The function of second-hand items cannot be guaranteed, and they are sold as-is. 

The council, in its newsletter, says “it’s all part of unlocking circular economy opportunities and increasing resource recovery locally in our shire”.

Since commencing the pilot in February last year, more than 550 electronic items have been recovered and made available for purchase and a new lease on life. 

People hoping to gain a building permit projects in the Hepburn shire will now have to lodge their building permit applications with a private building surveyor, rather than the council, following a recent announcement.

The council in a public statement issued this month has described the change as temporary, with its statement informing residents that:

“You may have heard that many councils are dealing with a shortage of qualified building and planning staff. Unfortunately, Hepburn Shire is no different.

“As a result, we have made a temporary change to the building services on offer. Building permit applications now need to be made through a private building surveyor rather than through council.”

The council will continue to process building permits applications that had already been submitted prior to the change being made.

But in its statement it has also confirmed that at this stage there is no clear date for when it will again be able to process building permit applications.

The Hepburn Shire Council is encouraging local business operators to attend a circular economy themed business breakfast on Thursday 30 November at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre.

The event takes place from 8am to 9.30am and is being hosted by Hepburn Shire Council and Creswick Business and Tourism.  

The circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. In a circular economy, products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling and composting. 

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that Council is committed to developing and promoting the circular economy to diversify our local economy and support sustainability goals. 

“Given the economic and climate change challenges we face today, expanding circular economy practices is a practical step we can all take to build a healthier, stronger and more resilient economy, community and environment,” said Cr Hood.  

“This work is underpinned by our four-year Council Plan and Sustainable Hepburn Strategy, which was developed in partnership with the community,” he said. 

Council’s Circular Economy Officer will provide an overview of the circular economy and introduce the Hepburn Shire Circular Economy Business Toolkit, currently in its final stages of development. Attendees will be invited to be amongst the first to trial the toolkit when it is released later this year. 

The toolkit is full of strategies that businesses can deploy to improve their bottom line through designing out waste, keeping materials in circulation and regenerating natural systems. Over time the toolkit will expand to include many more local examples of circular economy businesses and practices.  

Designed for businesses of any size or sector, the toolkit will help businesses understand more about what the circular economy is, learn about circular strategies and how businesses and value chain partners can benefit from becoming more ‘circular’. 

“With the help of state and federal governments, we are designing local systems of production, procurement and service delivery that minimise waste and pollution and build economic, social and ecological resilience,” said Cr Hood. 

Taylor Hay, local entrepreneur, will be demonstrating an Injection Moulding machine which he has designed and has been selling to schools across Australia to turn plastic waste into useful objects. Taylor is working alongside Precious Plastic, a movement which originated in the Netherlands and has inspired innovation across the globe.  

Attendees will hear stories of other local Circular Economy champions and projects and will leave with a better understanding of what a transition to a circular economy might look like in Hepburn Shire.  

This is a free, fully catered event. Registrations are essential and can be made via Circular Economy Business

The council will also be hosting a networking event for business owners, operators and industries from across the Shire to celebrate the achievements of the year and build future connections. It will be held from 5.30pm on Tuesday 28 November.

Following the success of the Hepburn Shire Council’s e-waste recovery pilot at Daylesford Transfer Station, electronic items are now available for purchase at all of the council’s transfer stations – Daylesford, Creswick and Trentham.

All items have passed safety inspections and are sold as is. This work is part of unlocking circular economy opportunities and increasing resource recovery locally in the shire.

Since commencing the e-waste recovery pilot in Daylesford in February this year, around 440 electronic items have been recovered and made available to the community.

E-waste electronic items with a cord can be recycled for free at all of the shire’s transfer stations.

A planning application for five houses at 1 Raglan Street, Daylesford, understood to be for television show The Block, will go before Hepburn Shire Council at its October 17 meeting.

Mayor Cr Brian Hood said after an extensive process the council approved a planning permit for the subdivision in April 2023.

“A very small number of objectors to the subdivision subsequently sought to challenge the decision at VCAT. The developer then applied for the matter to be considered for an accelerated determination by the Planning Minister,” Cr Hood said.

“Council is looking forward to understanding the economic and social benefits that the television show may bring to the shire and is still very much interested in having those conversations.”

Results of two projects funded under the Hepburn Shire’s 2022 Biodiversity Grant program and completed in June are in.

Daylesford Primary School developed a biodiversity education program including the design and planting of a wildlife garden featuring local native plants.

“The area has been transformed from an empty space into a lush garden and continues to grow successfully,” a school spokesperson resports.

“As you can see, the students are super proud of the impact their work has had on biodiversity at our school! Their involvement with this project is something that they will take with them throughout their lives.”

Wattle Flat Pootilla Landcare used their grant to co-fund replacement of an ageing activities trailer. The organisers commented:

“Having all of our items in the trailer takes some of the pressure off the committee when planning, and on event days as everything is organised and in the one place.”

The next Community Biodiversity grant round will open early in 2024 and fund up to $5000 per group for biodiversity-related works.

Hepburn Shire residents who keep livestock are being urged to secure their place in the award-winning Healthy Landscapes 2023/2024 Holistic Grazing Course which begins Friday 15 September.

The course has been designed to assist land managers to improve their skills and knowledge about grazing livestock to result in an increase in soil health and perennial pasture species, including native species.

The course took out the 2021 Premier’s Sustainability Award for empowering land managers to make decisions that benefit their productivity and on-farm environmental outcomes. Since winning the award the Healthy Landscapes program has run a further two fully subscribed courses which have received overwhelming praise by participants.

Those interested can find out more and register.

The Hepburn Shire Council has released draft masterplans for Queens Park and Pioneer Park in Clunes and is inviting the community to have a say on the future direction of these important community sites. 

The draft masterplans are available at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/clunes-open-space-masterplan, with feedback accepted until 5pm on Friday 22 September.  

The council will also hold a pop-in session in Clunes for the community to discuss the draft Queens Park and Pioneer Park masterplans. The session will be held this Saturday 9 September, with people able to drop in anytime between 10am and 12pm at the Ulumbarra Room at The Warehouse – Clunes.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said the masterplans seek to identify and address gaps in infrastructure requirements and so community input is essential. 

“These masterplans aim to improve accessibility and safety, but also to increase participation, visitation and connections for the community. Local voices are vital in making sure we get this right,” said Cr Hood. 

The draft masterplan includes 18 potential actions at Pioneer Park and 17 at Queens Park. 

Some of the ideas for Pioneer Park include new accessible paths, better seating, improved lighting, off-street car-parking, establishment of a formal lookout point at the historical sign and marker, along with new interpretive and wayfinding signage. The draft masterplan also suggests investigation of upgrades to, or the possible relocation of, the skate park. 

Improvement ideas for Queens Park include accessibility upgrades to gravel tracks and carparks, improvements to lighting along the Creek Walk, better wayfinding signage to town centre and public toilets, playground improvements, new seating and picnic settings, refurbishment of the crumbling Queens Park Fountain, tree planting, and safer pedestrian access and connections. 

“The draft masterplans are aspirational. Works are not yet included in the council’s long-term financial planning, but they seek to guide future investment in these community assets,” Cr Hood said.

“The scope and cost of works would need to be considered in the context of other council priorities, expenditure and the availability of external funding sources,” he said. 

Event organisers of Daylesford’s Borealis On The Lake are now inviting local residents to head along and enjoy the immersive light and sound show with a special discounted rate.

Local residents can now receive a 20 percent discount to catch the show on Friday and Sunday evenings. 

To access the discount Hepburn Shire locals and others who live in the immediate region can use the code LOCAL20 when they purchase tickets via their website. 

Along with residents in Hepburn Shire, this includes surrounding towns of Gisborne, Macedon, Mount Macedon, Woodend, Kyneton and Malmsbury.

Tickets are subject to availability until allocation is exhausted. Photographic ID is required upon arrival to prove eligibility, otherwise standard ticket prices will apply.

The Hepburn Shire Council has confirmed that it is working on possible security measures after the new electric vehicle charge station at Creswick was vandalised recently, rendering it currently offline.

Damage is understood to have been done to at least one of the charge guns and Hepburn CEO Bradley Thomas has described it as “very disappointing”.

“The Creswick EV Charger was vandalised a couple of weeks ago and is currently offline while we wait for a quote on repairs and undertake the works,” Mr Thomas said.

“The damage is very disappointing. Council is working on possible security measures given increasing incidences of damage at our facilities and to the EV charger. “

The damage comes as the rate of electric vehicle uptake continues to grow at a significant rate. The number of EVs on Australian roads almost doubled last year, growing from 44,000 at the beginning of 2022 to more than 83,000. Global electric vehicle (EV) sales increased more than 50 per cent from 2021 to 2022.

The Hepburn Shire Council has formally stated its unanimous support for the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the Voice to Parliament.

Mayor of Hepburn Shire Council Cr Brian Hood said the stance was consistent with the council’s position to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart in August 2022.

“Our support for the Voice to Parliament aligns with the work Council does towards recognition and reconciliation, including actions within our four-year Council Plan, Community Vision and Reconciliation Action Plan,” said Cr Hood.

“Examples of this work include the award-winning Manna Gums Frontier Wars Memorial near Coomoora; bringing language back to Country with the creek naming of Larni Barramal Yaluk; and supporting a range of community activities that promote understanding and reconciliation,” he said.

In reaching its unanimous decision councillors acknowledged that a First Nations Voice to Parliament would be an independent, representative advisory body that will provide a permanent means to advise Parliament and Government on matters affecting the lives of First Nations communities – including advice on practical steps to improve health, education, employment and housing. Most importantly, a Voice to Parliament would be the means for recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution for the first time.

Councillors further noted that supporting constitutional recognition aligns with Hepburn Shire Council’s Reconciliation Plan and its underlying commitments to self-determination, partnerships, community dialogue and truth-telling.

Council has also resolved to share clear, credible information on the Voice to Parliament and all aspects of the upcoming referendum.

“We appreciate there are divergent views on this matter within the community. Providing clear and credible information will assist residents in making their own considered and informed decision,” said Cr Hood.

“As always, we encourage our community to inform themselves and respectfully exercise their democratic right to have their say,” he said.

The council has adopted the following motion:

That Council:

1. In recognition of the position advocated by the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and consistent with the Council motion of August 2022 supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart, formally supports constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, through a Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Australian Constitution;

2. Commits to sharing clear, credible information on the Voice to Parliament and all aspects of the upcoming referendum to assist residents in making their own considered and informed choice on the day; and

3. Acknowledges that any position resolved by Council is without prejudice to individual position each Councillor, or Council officer, may privately or publicly pursue.

Hepburn shire locals who are passionate about the environment and who want to take action on climate change are being invited to get involved in a significant native planting program.

The Hepburn Shire Council is partnering with North Central Catchment Management Authority, City of Greater Bendigo, Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Mount Alexander Shire Council to deliver a native planting program, helping it reach its goal of achieving net-zero emissions.

The council says it now wants to hear from locals, including landholders who have ten hectares or more and who are keen to take part in a large-scale revegetation pilot project called Community Carbon.

In a media statement the council says those who get involved will reap many benefits including:

• Attracting diverse wildlife
• Improving the appearance of local properties
• Reducing soil erosion
• Improving soil health
• Enhancing water quality.

The project aims to leverage carbon offset needs of local councils and provide financial support to revegetate local habitat.

By drawing down carbon with trees and shrubs grown on local private land, we also combat biodiversity loss, restore native habitat and tackle climate change.

Expressions of interest are open until Saturday 30 September 2023 with more information available at www.nccma.vic.gov.au/climatechange/community-carbon

Ratepayers in Hepburn Shire have begun receiving their rates notices over recent days.

Rates and charges make up over half of Council’s annual budgeted revenue and are vital to delivering services such as parks and gardens, waste collection, local road maintenance and construction, libraries, public sporting and recreation facilities, and much more.  

The increase to the council’s rate revenue has been capped at 3.5 percent in line with the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates System. This compares to a six percent CPI increase in the year to June 2023.  

Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Brian Hood said not every household will see a 3.5 percent increase in rates. 

“How much you pay for rates very much depends on the value of your property. The Valuer General values all properties in Victoria every year, a process completely independent of councils. These valuations are used by Council to calculate rates” said Cr Hood. 

This year, about 52 percent of rateable properties within Hepburn Shire will incur a rate increase lower than the 3.5 percent rate rise cap.   

• 36 percent of residential properties will actually see a reduction in rates compared to last year. 
• 16 percent of residential properties will incur an increase in rates of less than 3.5 per cent compared to last year.  

• 48 percent of residential properties will incur an increase in rates of more than 3.5 per cent compared to last year. 

In order to calculate rates, the total amount of revenue to be raised by the council in general rates is divided by the total value of all rateable properties in the shire. The resulting figure is called the ‘rate in the dollar’.

The council then applies a ‘rate in the dollar’ to the assessed value of each property. This rate differs depending on the type of property. For example, residential, commercial and farming properties each have a different rate in the dollar. 

Ratepayers will also see waste charges on their rates notices. This includes a waste management charge that is levied on all properties and collection charges that are based on the service received. A fire services property levy is also included on rates notices, with 100% of the levy passed onto the state government to fund fire and emergency services in Victoria. 

The Victorian Government provides pensioners with a concession on rates and charges.  

This concession is an annual capped amount set by the Department of Human Services and in 2023/2024 is $253.20.  There is also a rebate of $50 available against the Fire Services Property Levy. 

“Council also offers an additional $21 rebate for pensioners who qualify under the state government pensioner rate remission scheme. We are one of the few councils who offer this additional rebate,” said Cr Hood. 

Eligible pensioners can apply by contacting Council.   

Cr Hood acknowledged the current economic situation is causing financial pressure on households.  

“We know financial struggles are real for many households. If you are having difficulty paying your rates, please get in touch with our Rates Team. You can contact them on (03) 5348 2306 to discuss arranging a payment plan in line with our hardship policy,” said Cr Hood. 

“There is a lot of information on our website relating to rates, including frequently asked questions and information on how to pay your rates,” he said. 

“You can also choose to have your rates notices emailed to you rather than sent through the mail. Visit the website or drop into your closest council hub for details.” 

The Hepburn Shire Council is seeking volunteers to join a Community Engagement Pool to provide input into the future of the shire’s townships. 

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that the Community Engagement Pool members would help develop various components of our strategic planning project, Future Hepburn.

Future Hepburn is a once in a generation program of major strategic planning projects that the council is undertaking to protect and enhance the natural and built environment and to improve liveability in our Shire.  The council will develop a range of plans and strategies in 2023 and 2024 that will guide the future of townships across the Shire. These include township Structure Plans, Urban Design Frameworks, Neighbourhood Character Assessments, Integrated Transport Strategy, Rural Hepburn: Agricultural Land and Rural Settlement Strategy.

The council is looking to establish five Community Panels in the townships of Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford/Hepburn Springs, Glenlyon and Trentham, thereby delivering on its commitment to community-inclusive engagement. Each panel will be made up of 21 randomly selected community members drawn from the Future Hepburn Community Engagement Pool in line with Council’s Community Engagement Policy.

“The panels will be made up of people who live in or own property in the townships and surrounding areas, with representatives from across all age groups and genders. Community members don’t need to have specialist skills to be on the panel, just a passion for their community and a willingness to get involved in shaping their township’s future.”

“By volunteering for the Community Engagement Pool, members may be randomly selected to join a Community Panel to help develop draft township structure plans for either Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford/Hepburn Springs, Glenlyon and Trentham. Structure plans outline how Council will protect and enhance the existing character of our townships and guide appropriate growth and development to 2050,” said Cr Hood.

Community Panel members will be asked to attend three in-person sessions held during October and November. Community members not randomly selected will still have opportunities to provide feedback and participate in engagement activities.

Just over 1,000 letters were sent out to randomly selected community members inviting them to register to get involved in the Community Engagement Pool. Community members can also nominate themselves to be involved by registering their interest at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/future-hepburn.

Applications close on Sunday 3 September 2023.