Local News
Big Battery Arrives on Leonard’s Hill
Hepburn Energy's 5MWh community battery, "Bessie", arrived last Friday. Bessie is co-located with the wind turbines Gusto and Gale on Leonard's Hill, just outside Daylesford, and is located just below Gale. It has a capacity equivalent to around 400 household...
Survey Shows Mixed Results for Hepburn Shire Council as Community Satisfaction Slips
Hepburn Shire Council has received the results of the 2025 Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey, with data revealing a decline in overall community satisfaction and notable differences between Hepburn and other small rural councils across Victoria. The...
Wombat Hill Tower and Basin Renovations Underway
The renovation of the tower and water basin at the top of the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens is finally underway. Vistors to the Gardens who park at the top, will see the ongoing construction work as they wind their way through to the Cafe and other amenities. Initiated...
Hobsons Bay Council Vows Cultural Reform After Damning Internal Review
Hobsons Bay City Council has released a confronting report detailing serious cultural and organisational issues following an independent Listening and Support Process involving 138 staff. The review was triggered after allegations raised with councillors led to the...
Stone Soup: A Story of Sharing – Notes From the DNC
Once upon a time, a weary traveller arrived in a small village carrying nothing but an empty pot and a smooth stone in his pocket. The village, having fallen on hard times, was quiet and cautious. People kept to themselves, convinced they had nothing to...
Look Out! Kangaroo!
Tanya Loos I am driving a rental car at the moment while my Corolla is at the smash repairs in Castlemaine. Unfortunately they know me well - this is the fourth time they have replaced the front part of my car due to "road strike", "wildlife collision", "car strike" –...
Council Launches Reconciliation Action Plan During NAIDOC Week
Hepburn Shire Council will officially launch its INNOVATE Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) during NAIDOC Week 2025 — a time to honour the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Should we Close the Daylesford Beaches and Hunt Down the Shark?
It’s nearly the fourth of July and ‘Jaws’ is turning 50. The film contrasts the social and economic conflict for Amity and is an entertaining allegory for Daylesford which faces similar conflicts between including over development and prosperity.
Rotary Continues Generous Support for Local and Overseas Projects
Daylesford Rotary has been serving the community since 1953 and is the only remaining Service Club in Daylesford. During 2024-2025 Daylesford Rotary donated just over $29,000 to local and overseas projects and causes.
Western Renewables Link EES on Public Exhibition — Council Urges Community to Have Their Say
The long-awaited Environmental Effects Statement (EES) for the Western Renewables Link (WRL) has been released for public exhibition, with submissions open until 12 August 2025. Hepburn Shire Council is urging community members to review the documents and make a submission during this critical consultation period.