Should any of the matters covered in the following process raise any issues for you please contact the appropriate helpline.

  • If you're dealing with stressful events, you might find it helpful to talk them over with your local GP. Your GP can refer you to other appropriate support people.
  • Call the Farmer Assistance Hotline on 132 316 for information on the Commonwealth Government's support services available to farmers and rural communities, such as the Farm Household Allowance
  • Call the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321
  • MensLine is a 24/7 service for men with relationship and family concerns. Call 1300 78 99 78.
  • Beyond Blue has information about issues associated with depression and anxiety. Call 1300 224 636.
  • Lifeline offers 24/7 telephone counselling for people in crisis. Connect with someone who cares. Call 13 11 14 for immediate support.
  • If you need emergency assistance, call 000.

Full disclaimer: the council has no influence over the proposed Western Victoria Transmission Network Project. However, Hepburn Shire Council is committed to empowering the community.

The upcoming EES (Environmental Effects Statement) process will be pivotal and Council will be making a strong submission. The EES process is administered by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) on behalf of Victoria’s Minister for Planning under the Environment Effects Act 1978.

The purpose of the EES is to ensure that major projects are designed, constructed, and operated to minimise adverse environmental and community impacts.

It gives decision-makers (such as Ministers and statutory authorities) the information they need to determine whether approvals should be granted and what conditions should apply. Once the EES is published (likely in May or June 2022) the public can make official submissions for the ministers’ consideration.

To read more on the EES process please visit the helpful links page which can be found here.


Council will host 2 sessions in late February (further details to be released), the sessions are to inform interested community members on how to lodge a submission when the WVTP EES is publicly exhibited (likely May/June 2022 at this stage). Note: When the EES is completed the public will have 30 days to make a written submission