Lynne Haultain, an ABC Radio journalist and broadcaster of 15 years, will begin working immediately with the community and stakeholders, including the Hepburn Shire, to examine options for the future operation of the pool.

Mr Hulls said the issues surrounding the pool's use needed to be resolved to ensure it could be safely restored to its historical pride of place in the community.

"The consultation process will seek to address the mix of legal, heritage and indigenous issues and will take into account the views of all stakeholders," he said.

"I expect to have a report on the consultation process by the end of July."

Spokesman for Mr Hulls Licardo Prince said the consultative approach was taken instead of the minister's team of experts called Planning Panels Victoria because it dealt with proposed amendments to the planning scheme.

"This issue does not involve the consideration of a planning scheme amendment hence the consultative approach taken," he said.

"It is being conducted by someone with experience in community and stakeholder consultation."

Hepburn Shire welcomed the community consultation process.

Mayor Heather Mutimer said that the council was hopeful of a positive and practical solution that was affordable and acceptable to the community.

"There are many different opinions and thoughts and this process will take all of these into account," she said.

Ballarat East MLA and Parliamentary secretary for agriculture Geoff Howard said the launch of the consultation process showed the minister was prepared to take action.

"I am very pleased to see that Minister Hulls has taken this action as a serious attempt to bring about a resolution which takes into account the views of the Hepburn Springs community," he said.

"I met with Lynne Haultain (last Tuesday) to discuss the issue with her and to provide her with names of community members who had specifically raised with me concerns about the future of the Hepburn Pool."

Mr Howard said Ms Haultain had read all files on the issue and had good communication skills.

She is also chairwoman of the Premier's Children's Advisory Committee and has worked on various public and stakeholder consultation projects.

Mediation lawyer Graham Hills will assist Ms Haultain.

Hepburn Pool committee member Lisa Gervasoni was not prepared to comment and Hepburn Shire Council deputy mayor Bill McClenaghan was unavailable.