Dear Editor,

Hepburn Matters is a community group that was formed to advocate for retention and renovation of a cinema in The Rex building and urged the Hepburn Shire Council not to sell. Over 600 people in the community, signed a petition, and the majority of traders in the main street of Daylesford were supportive of this endeavour. Efforts continue in partnership with Daylesford Community Theatre Community to establish a cinema in Daylesford. Our sadness about the loss of the community theatre, and concerns with the direction our community is heading and the need for strong leadership are shared by many in the community.

Council elections in October this year will be the most important this century and will set the agenda for our community into the future.

Many of us were born here, many of us have moved here over the last twenty years, coming to be a part of a small iconic, prosperous country town with a balance of locals and tourists.

Our community is potentially changing dramatically with the draft Township Structure that would see prime farmland in East Street become a subdivision, together with the already approved subdivision in Smith St and the corner of Raglan Street and Malmsbury Road. Are we are losing our identity and beginning to look like the outskirts of Ballarat, Castlemaine, Backus Marsh or Melton?  Is our Council and town planners telling us what we can have, after consulting? Will community advisory group and community concerns be ignored or heard?

The way we elect our councillors has changed. We are shifting from five wards and seven councillors to one ward and seven councillors. In the past we have had councillors from Creswick, Clunes, Trentham, Glenlyon region and Daylesford. Under the new system it is possible that all the councillors could come from just one of our towns and effectively disenfranchise other parts of our community.

As a group we are concerned with the direction our council is taking our community and several decisions made over the last four years and the animosity that has been created amongst residents.

Within the decision to sell the Rex and the over four-million-dollar loss,

  • The loss of the community theatre.
  • The loss of the proposed new library.
  • Lack of new toilet facilities.
  • The draft Township Direction plan and the changes to zoning in East Street and Main Road Hepburn.
  • The Dan Murphy’s debacle.
  • The subdivisions in Smith Street and Corner of Raglan Street and Malmsbury Road.

It is not easy being a councillor and councillors will always be criticised for their decisions.

Here in Daylesford and Hepburn we are facing several challenges, not all caused by our Council and Councillors.

  • The downturn in the tourist economy. Twenty percent reduction in accommodation, lack of tourism leading to businesses struggling with reduced turnover. Then there is the closure of a number of businesses, especially within Hepburn causing a loss of employment. We have lost the Savoia, Harry’s, Frank and Connie’s, Muses of Mystery and now The Palais. There are three empty shops between the roundabouts in Daylesford.
  • The lack of affordable accommodation for locals and employees.
  • “The Block” and what that does to our community.
  • The importance of the Hospital and Health Services within Daylesford and the need for residents and visitors to be able to have as much care as possible close to home. Media coverage of potential changes across Victoria create concern about what this means for the
  • The 2024-2025 Council budget and the projected loss of four million dollars.
  • The suggestion by a number of Councillors that we are too small and cannot manage our own affairs. Amalgamation is unlikely to reduce our rates or provide better services, and a loss of local Council staff will impact on the local economy and community.

Over the last three months we have been talking to many residents about standing for council at the next election. We have been looking for people with a vision, leaders that will guide the community and represent what we want for our towns. If you would like to know more, join us on 11 August if you:

  • Might consider standing for Council
  • Are thinking about encouraging or supporting someone else to stand for Council
  • Want to get involved in some way.

To participate contact David Reilly on 0419 985 245 or Jenny Beacham on 0427 512 159.

David Reilly