Local News
2026 Community Award Nominations Open
Each year Hepburn Shire Council sponsors community awards. In 2025 the winners were: Citizen of the Year - Steven Ellis (nominated by Philip Greenbank) - "With over 40 years’ service to the Creswick Fire Brigade with his many leadership roles, CFA and the Running...
Extreme Summer Conditions in Some Areas
Victor Szwed Several locations in Victoria have experienced extreme weather conditions with temperatures hitting a record 48.9 degrees in Walpeup, near Ouyen on Sunday 27th January. Major fires hit many communities with the Longwood fire destroying many...
Stage 3 Water Restrictions for Forest Hill Region
Stage 3 water restrictions have commenced across the Forest Hill service area from Friday 23 January, as groundwater levels fell to conditions comparable with the Millennium Drought.
Council News February
Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre Launches Term 1 Program and Welcomes an Exciting Year Ahead
Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre is pleased to announce the release of its Term 1, 2026 Program Brochure, marking the beginning of an exciting and community-focused year ahead. The new brochure is packed with opportunities for learning, creativity, wellbeing and...
New Year Boost for Rex Cinema
Daylesford’s Phoenix@The Rex community cinema has moved significantly closer to reopening following a donation commitment of up to $40,000 from local residents Lahn and Anton Straney-Kraft. The couple have made an initial $20,000 donation and are personally matching a...
Fires and Logging Close Sections of Popular Walking and Mountain Bike Trails
Sections of major walking and cycling trails across the central goldfields have been closed or disrupted following bushfire damage on Mount Alexander and a scheduled logging operation in the Creswick State Forest.
Daylesford Op Shop to Reopen After Bed Bug Crisis
The Daylesford Community Op Shop (DCOS) was plunged into crisis in mid-January when a volunteer opened a donated bag and was immediately swarmed by mature bed bugs. The volunteer, who has since recovered, suffered multiple bites and significant distress during the...
Polarised Reaction to Council Australia Day Decision
Hepburn Shire Council took the decision not to celebrate Australia Day on January 26th in solidarity with DJAARA (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation). The Council statement supporting the decision indicated that "Hepburn Shire Council is an inclusive Council...
Council Pares Back Daylesford Town Hall Redevelopment to Staged Plan
Hepburn Shire Council has agreed to scale back its ambitions for the Daylesford Town Hall redevelopment, endorsing a staged delivery model in response to financial constraints and uncertainty around future funding.