COUNCIL PLAN FOCUS AREAS

AGRICULTURAL LAND & RURAL SETTLEMENT STRATEGY

Help us develop the Agricultural Land & Rural Settlement Strategy by completing a survey, it will help shape our Future Hepburn. This strategy will consider future agricultural needs and requirements and seek to ensure agricultural land is adequately protected. It will include a review of relevant provisions relating to farming in the Hepburn Planning Scheme, such as permissible uses, developments, and subdivisions.

The strategy will also seek to provide a better understanding of the risks and challenges posed in the Shire’s small rural settlements and businesses to guide development consistent with the municipality’s inherent rural character and other attributes.

Visit http://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/future-hepburn to find out how to have your say. The survey closes Friday 12 May 2023.

Visitor Economy Partnership

Council has endorsed joining a Visitor Economy Partnership with neighbouring councils Ballarat Council, Moorabool Shire Council, Pyrenees Shire Council, Golden Plains Shire Council, representatives from the tourism industry and the Victorian Government. The partnership will help to continue to boost tourism to our beautiful region, especially in the lead-up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and provide additional industry-strengthening support to businesses in the west of the Shire.

The partnership will complement the hard work of Daylesford Macedon Tourism (DMT) to bring visitors to our Shire. Tourism accounts for one in seven jobs in Hepburn Shire and creates more than $120 million per annum in value, which flows into multiple parts of the economy.

Trentham Pavilion Open

The Trentham Sportsground Pavilion was officially handed over to the Committee of Management on Friday 14 April, in time for the first home match of the 2023 footy and netball seasons. It was also formally opened by Mary-Anne Thomas MP last week in an event that included representatives from the Sportsground Reserve Committee of Management, Trentham Football Netball Club, Trentham and District Cricket Club and community members.

Thank you to the Committee of Management and sporting groups for their support throughout the life of this project. The redevelopment project, with over $2.5 million of investment, has been delivered in partnership between the Victorian Government and Council.

The Council Plan 2021-2025 describes how Council will strive towards our vision, where to focus efforts, and how to measure progress. Each Focus Area has a series of priority statements, with actions against each item.