Environment and Energy

Hepburn Shire Council has concluded its formal participation in the Environment Effects Statement hearings for the Western Renewables Link, presenting expert evidence on tourism, agriculture and landscape and visual impacts. Meanwhile, AEMO has announced contracts to construct the Link.

The first of December was the coldest start to summer since 1996 for Melbourne. But the La Nina conditions which bring greater than normal rainfall have eased and the BOM predicts the period from December to March will bring average rainfall.

Victoria’s Parliament has passed legislation to establish the Wombat Lerderderg National Park. The new park brings together more than 44,000 hectares of forest, combining roughly 24,000 ha of Wombat State Forest with nearly 20,000 ha of the existing Lerderderg State Park.

Hepburn Shire Council and local Landcare groups are stepping up efforts to control roadside weeds and prevent the spread of invasive species that threaten biodiversity, bushfire safety and agricultural productivity.

October rainfall for Daylesford has been above average after a dry September. The BOM forecasts for November to January are for wetter than normal conditions for much of eastern Australia including our area.

The Algerian Oak in Kingston has been named the 2025 Victorian Tree of the Year, receiving more than 40 per cent of the public vote in the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) competition. The tree’s nomination and popular vote followed a strong community campaign to highlight concerns about its future as it stands in the path of the Western Renewables Link.

Only 35mm of rain was recorded for Daylesford in September by the Bureau of Meteorology compared to the 88mm long-term average. For the coming 3 months, above-average rainfall is still forecast by the Bureau for most of Eastern Australia.

Central Highlands Water (CHW) is inviting local customers to share their views in the organisation’s Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Extended dry weather has put pressure on the Forest Hill water supply system, underlining the importance of a recently announced feasibility study into connecting six Hepburn Shire towns to the Ballarat water network.

A welcome rise in storage levels will see water restrictions lifted in the Daylesford and Hepburn Region.