The race to the October 22 Hepburn Shire Council election is now in full swing, with community hubs, local government transparency, rate equity and communication between residents and council staff emerging as some of the major issues.
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The top issue emerging in Birch ward has been the controversial Hepburn Hub, formerly planned for the Daylesford Town Hall, but which will now also include the purchase and renovation of beleaguered shopping arcade, The Rex.
Similarly in Coliban ward, Trentham’s planned hub project has also emerged as the key issue, with candidates stating clearly that plans to bulldoze the 135-year-old Mechanics Institute to make way for the much-needed community facility had “divided” the town.
Creswick ward councillors Don Henderson and Greg May will be re-elected, uncontested. Residents of that ward will not be required to vote.
Incumbent mayor Neil Newitt, of Clunes, will run again in Cameron ward with plans to prioritise improvements to recreation facilities and new walking and cycling pathways, as well as upgrading the Clunes Town Hall.
Mr Newitt is being challenged by the manager of the Clunes Caravan Park, Dorothy Russell, who is focused on Creswick Creek, roads, health, policing, aged care, youth and recreation. Another challenger is farmer and IT business owner Aaron Hipwell, with a platform of ensuring council accountability, capital improvements, roadworks, and working with Hepburn Health to increase services.
Incumbent Holcombe ward councillor Bill McClenaghan will be challenged by cattle farmer Juliet Simpson and Hepburn Health board director and Swinburne University lecturer John Cottrell.
The Advocate will run profiles of each ward’s candidates in the lead-up to the election on October 22.
See page 4 of this edition for the Birch ward candidates. Candidates for Cameron, Coliban and Holcombe will be featured in the coming weeks.