VIC · Central Highlands — Hepburn (Daylesford, Creswick) · Local council, made simple
Hepburn Shire Council
A shire of about 1,470 km² in central Victoria, home to about 17,000 people in Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, Creswick, Clunes, Trentham, Glenlyon and smaller towns. The council runs your bins, local roads and drains, parks and pools, planning and community services, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: average rate +2.75% (state cap)
Open →Budget & financesThe council's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,748 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyOffences recorded in Hepburn Shire by Victoria Police, next to the Victorian rate.
Offences recorded, year to June 2026
Open →Mayor & councillorsThe Mayor, the seven councillors, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Tony Clark (since November 2025)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Hepburn votes, and the 2024 result.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, office hours and addresses.
Phone: (03) 5348 2306
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 17,011 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
7 updatesRecent items from Hepburn Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Council meeting
Council receives reports on its finances and an independent review of its long-term plan
At its 22 September meeting the council received reports on its financial position, unpaid rates and charges, and the first phase of an independent review of its Long-Term Financial Plan. The Mayor said about 1,000 of roughly 8,000 residential ratepayers have overdue rates, and about 200 are on payment plans.
What this means for you: If you're behind on your rates, the council asks you to contact it about a payment plan. Financial items will be on every council meeting agenda for the next six months.
- Development
St Georges Lake Road, Creswick, to be upgraded
Road sealing, a realigned Lees Street intersection, speed management and signage near the Djuwang Baring trails network, planned between October and December 2026.
What this means for you: Expect roadworks near the trails in Creswick in late 2026.
- Development
Glenlyon Recreation Reserve pavilion upgrade to go ahead
Australian Government funding has been secured for about $336,000 of works on the pavilion, including the kitchen, toilets and flood-proofing, from October 2026 to February 2027.
What this means for you: The council says it has timed the works around events scheduled at the reserve.
- Policy
Printing errors on 2026–27 rates notices
The council's printing contractor left the Victorian Government pensioner rebate out of the detailed breakdown on some notices, and some 'Community update' flyers were missing information. The council says overall balances were correct.
What this means for you: If you receive the pensioner rebate, a corrected notice is being reissued; the amount owing on your original notice was right.
- Council meeting
Janet Dore appointed Interim CEO
At a Special Council Meeting on 12 August, the council appointed Janet Dore, who had been Acting CEO, as Interim CEO until a permanent CEO is appointed.
What this means for you: The council said recruitment for a permanent CEO would start within weeks.
- Policy
2026–27 budget adopted
The budget raises the average rate by the 2.75% state cap, commits $10.5 million to capital works with no new borrowings, and cuts the average township waste charge from $610 to $540. It adds a part-time grants officer.
What this means for you: Your 2026–27 rates notice reflects these charges; see Rates & fees for how your bill is worked out.
- Election
Cr Tony Clark elected Mayor, Cr Shirley Cornish Deputy Mayor
The councillors elected Cr Tony Clark as Mayor and Cr Shirley Cornish as Deputy Mayor for 12 months, succeeding Cr Don Henderson and Cr Lesley Hewitt.
What this means for you: The Mayor chairs council meetings and is the council's main spokesperson. The next mayoral election is on 10 November 2026.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Hepburn Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.