Hepburn Shire Council has received recognition for the Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails) development, a major recreational and tourism initiative that has transformed Creswick into a “trails town” and drawn praise across the local government sector. But while the recognition highlights the project’s success, it also comes against the backdrop of ongoing debt incurred by the Shire to fund its share of the $9.4 million project.
At the 2025 LGPro Awards for Excellence, Hepburn Shire was honoured in two categories: Outstanding Small Rural Council Initiative and Community Assets and Infrastructure (Projects $5 Million – $20 Million) for a Population under 50,000. The awards recognise outstanding achievement in local government service delivery and innovation.
LGPro is a member association for local government professionals. The awards dinner was held as part of the annual LGPro conference held at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne.
Hepburn Shire Mayor, Cr Don Henderson, said that Djuwang Baring is a transformative project that demonstrates the power of collaboration, strategic planning, and meaningful community engagement. “This project has set a new benchmark for how infrastructure projects can simultaneously support economic growth, community wellbeing, and a deep commitment to environmental sustainability and cultural respect. The trails are not just for visitors but for locals to enjoy, particularly young people,” said Cr Don Henderson.
Developed in partnership with Djaara Traditional Owners, local stakeholders, and land managers, the project prioritised cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and inclusivity. The trail network has been designed to accommodate riders of all skill levels and is expected to generate long-term benefits for the region, including increased tourism, local employment, and stronger community engagement.
But the financial cost of the project has left a lasting impact on Council’s budget. Of the $9.4 million total project cost, the State Government contributed $4.66 million, including $2.56 million from the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund and a further $2.1 million from other government sources. The Creswick Community Bank provided an additional $250,000.
Council was responsible for funding the balance, including substantial investment in associated infrastructure such as the Hammon Park redevelopment. Council approved borrowings of $4.9 million in the 2023/24 budget with an expectation that Commonwealth Games funding would be forthcoming because the site was chosen for mountain bike competitions in the Games program. When the Games were cancelled in July of 2023, the state government promised $1 billion for regional Victoria sports infrastructure development but to date none of the promised funds have been forthcoming.
Ongoing maintenance costs and debt repayments for the project remain key issues contributing to the to ongoing financial problems for the shire.
This article is based on a media release from Hepburn Shire Council.
