Hepburn Shire Council is is in the process of developing a new Council Plan that will guide its strategic direction for the next four years, from 2025 to 2029. This initiative will outline the key outcomes Council is seeking to achieve to support the continued growth, development and well-being of the community.
The new Council Plan will focus on key areas such as financial sustainability, service delivery, and promoting economic growth. It will be informed by both Councillor and staff feedback, and feedback from the community.
Council is seeking 44 community members to form a Deliberative Engagement Panel. The Panel will work through a series of questions and activities to review the Community Vision and help to prioritise outcomes the Council will deliver over the coming Council term.
Council has conducted a significant amount of community engagement over the last 18 months, including consultation on Future Hepburn and the Financial Vision. This information will inform the draft outcomes that the Deliberative Engagement Panel will discuss and prioritise.
The draft Council Plan will be presented for public review and feedback, through an online survey and a series of community listening posts, after the Council meeting on 29 April 2025, with the final version expected to be adopted in June.
Mayor, Cr Don Henderson, said that Council was excited to embark on the development of this new Council Plan.
“This is an important opportunity for our community to have input into the future direction of our Council. Together, we will work to create a plan that reflects our shared vision for a vibrant, sustainable and prosperous community, while acknowledging the challenging financial circumstances that Council finds itself in.”
An expression of interest for the Deliberative Engagement Panel is now open. For more information or to participate in the consultation process, please visit https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/hepburn-together-2025-2029. The EOI closes on 24 February 2025.
“This is your opportunity to have a direct say in how our Council can best serve the needs of the community over the next four years,” said Cr Henderson.
