It is that time of year when we should be preparing for the fire season. Council will be taking grass and branches from shrubs and trees at our transfer stations. Do not leave things until the last minute. Vegetation dries out very quickly and can catch us out. This free service will be in place for the whole month of November. Remember to clean out those spoutings.
The Creswick Station platform was literally full of young people with their bikes waiting for the train to take them home. With the weather so good, many tourists are coming not just for bike riding but to explore our Shire and the many outdoor adventures. The Buried Rivers of Gold Trail is very well used as people seek to learn about our rich history. Some prospectors are happy to find a small speck of gold and are astounded to learn that 4 tons of gold came out of a single mine in Clunes. There is growing interest right across our Shire from people wanting not just the outdoor experience but the enjoyment of the markets and fine and diverse range of dining options.
State elections are upon us once again and it is interesting to see the various political parties out and about. Our Shire relies heavily on state and federal funding, and it is important for our residents to consider the best options and to ensure that their vote counts.
You will have seen from articles in papers and on social media that Hepburn Shire is certainly not in the healthiest position when finances are being discussed. However, we should only look backwards for the purposes of seeing where improvements can and have to be made. I stress that Council is not broke and does have the necessary funds to continue to serve the community. We can no longer just build grandiose buildings but must look to essentials. There are many positive things happening in all of our areas and these are mostly driven by extraordinary efforts of our myriad of community clubs and organisations
With cost of living expense going through the roof, Council needs to ensure that we spend wisely. Recent figures show that there are many people and businesses out there who are not paying rates. People who are in their own home and struggling should contact the Council and explore a payment plan that can ensure that a large expense just does not hit at one time. Businesses and those with investment properties and vacant land should realise that not paying makes it harder or those who do.
Reproduced from the Hepburn Council website.
