All quiet on the Hepburn front

Hepburn Shire councillors should be meeting at 6pm tomorrow to get on with the typical business of the third tier of government - roads, footpaths, rates, rubbish, development applications, ovals, libraries, grants, events.   

But instead, as the sun sets, the chamber will remain empty, the result of five of the seven councillors being stood down. The five are facing criminal legal action from a local businessman after endorsing the council's budget for 2026/27. 

The only two councillors left standing - Tim Drylie and Brian Hood - are not enough to make a quorum, and so Hepburn Shire remains in limbo.

Hood said he’s going to use the free evening to catch up on something “stress-free”. 

🗣️: “Something amusing or stimulating to watch on TV - as a sharp contrast to a council meeting,” he told the Brolga. 

Councillor Drylie said he’ll be out with friends, commiserating on local current affairs. 

🗣️: “I suspect I will be having drinks,” he told the Brolga.

❓What happened: Earlier this month, Daylesford business owner David Penman brought criminal charges against five councillors in Hepburn Shire - Shirley Cornish, Lesley Hewitt, Pat Hockey, Don Henderson and mayor Tony Clark. 

He also charged former CEO Bradley Thomas, who has since resigned and is serving a notice period. 

Penman said his issue with Hepburn Shire is solely about the council’s 2026/27 budget. 

• “Recently Hepburn adopted its budget and when it did so it didn't have the complete financial statements in front of it,” he told ABC Radio.

Councillors Hood and Drylie did not vote in favour of adopting the budget and have seemingly been spared Penman’s wrath. 

What next? Victoria’s state government is considering amendments that could stop future litigants from following in Penman’s footsteps.  

Victorian Parliament resumes tomorrow (July 28), but Drylie said even if a loophole in legislation is fixed, it is unlikely to be applied retrospectively.