Councillor Column - 25 March 2026 - Cr Pat Hockey

Published on 25 March 2026

There are so many reasons to be positive about the future of Clunes and region. On some projections we are likely to see up to 400+ new homes in Clunes over the course of the next 20 years. Certainly, 200+ will easily be achieved at just ten new starts a year. With these new residents, will come new businesses and services and supports for our existing community. At the same time, our unique blend of farming and tourism and as a satellite town for Ballarat will continue to attract new residents looking for a rural way of life. Clunes has lots of space and land at the right price will attract new home builders from nearby Ballarat.

Councillors and staff at Hepburn Shire Council will come and go. Ultimately, it will be the growing community that drives where to focus the finite resources of our local government. While some folk I talk to emphasise the importance of on the ground workers in our streets and parks, still others would prefer that Council took a leading hand in the development of tourism. Within the Shire there is even a camp which argues that Council should not get involved with tourism at all and instead should focus on supporting our farmers. In a rural shire with low population and a small funding base, most things are contested and our ability to do any of these things well will always be limited. This is where having good local representation is important.