Project overview

Council is committed to improving the Shire’s liveability as well as understanding, protecting and enhancing the values and character of the whole Shire: including its townships and rural areas.

To do this, it has launched Future Hepburn, a once-in-a-generation suite of major strategic projects.

Future Hepburn consists of several projects including (but not limited to):

We’ve heard from the community that it’s important to protect Hepburn Shire’s rural lifestyle, the look and feel of our townships, environment, heritage and productive farming land. Future Hepburn projects will guide future growth and appropriate development by protecting what we value and improving liveability as we look towards 2050.

  • Township Structure Plans

    Thank you to everyone that participated in the initial phase of the structure plan engagement. Shire wide, 499 people completed the online survey and 105 people attended Community Conversation sessions. A particularly big thank you to those community members who participated in the Community Panel sessions across October and November. Engagement Reports are included on each township's structure planning page.

    Click here to learn more about how you can be involved.

    Find out more 

  • Rural Hepburn

    Thank you for your participation in the initial engagement survey and interviews held from April 2023. We appreciate your feedback and input.

    Rural Hepburn will provide a comprehensive planning and action framework to support the management of private rural land use (land outside the five main townships) across the whole Shire.


    Find out more 

  • Integrated Transport Strategy

    The Integrated Transport Strategy plans for a local transport system that can efficiently and safely connect people to their everyday needs, catering for residents, workers and visitors alike.

    It will recognise the need for better transport connections within and between townships in Hepburn Shire and to places beyond.

    Find out more 

  • Community Engagement Pool

    Sign up to the Engagement Pool to stay up-to-date on all things Future Hepburn and help shape the future of Hepburn Shire

    Find out more 

What happens next

The drafts of the township structure plans and Rural Hepburn strategy are currently being finalised in preparation for community feedback. The feedback, alongside input from research and technical studies, from the initial and deeper engagement stages have shaped their development. We will be seeking community input during May and June, after which officers will revise them in response to community input.

The Integrated Transport Strategy is still under development and will be ready to release for public feedback at a later date. The initial work on the Integrated Transport Strategy has provided targeted recommendations and actions for each of the township structure plans.

We encourage you to register for Council's e-newsletter Hepburn Life to receive updates on these activities.

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