Hepburn Shire Council Score: 35/100 — What Residents Should Know
Hepburn Shire scores 35/100 overall, with its strongest performance in Community Services (44/100). Ranked #19 of 19 rural councils in VIC.
Hepburn Shire records a composite score of 35/100 (developing), ranking 19th of 19 in its rural peer group and 78th of 79 across VIC. It sits in the bottom quartile of VIC's rural councils, serving around 17k residents in a rural community.On Financial Sustainability, Hepburn Shire posts 33/100 (needs improvement). That lags well behind the rural peer average of 53 and lags well behind the VIC state average of 52. It captures how well the council balances its books, manages debt, and funds future infrastructure without over-relying on rates increases.Community Services comes in at 44/100 for Hepburn Shire, rated developing. That trails the rural peer average of 53 and sits modestly below the VIC state average of 52. It captures the reach and quality of libraries, childcare, aged support, community centres, and grants that touch daily life.The council's Lifestyle & Amenity result — 20/100 — reads as needs improvement. That lags well behind the rural peer average of 53 and lags well behind the VIC state average of 52. It captures parks, sportsgrounds, cultural venues, events, and the general liveability of the area relative to what residents pay.For Core Operations, Hepburn Shire lands on 42/100, a developing result. That trails the rural peer average of 53 and trails the VIC state average of 52. It captures the essentials — roads, waste, planning approvals, and how efficiently the council runs its day-to-day services.
What This Means For Residents
Hepburn Shire's strongest showing is on Community Services (44) and Core Operations (42). Practically, strong community services translate into more reliable libraries, maternal health, aged support and community programs — a real day-to-day benefit for families and older residents. Alongside that, strong core operations mean waste, roads and planning approvals are running smoothly and rates are more likely to be delivering visible value.On the flip side, weaker financial sustainability often shows up over time as sharper rates increases, deferred renewals, or borrowing to cover recurrent costs. And weaker lifestyle and amenity results tend to show up in ageing sportsgrounds, tired playgrounds, or a thinner events calendar. The weakest dimensions here — Financial Sustainability (33) and Lifestyle & Amenity (20) — are the areas most likely to shape resident complaints and future rates decisions.Score Breakdown
| Dimension | Score | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Sustainability | 33/100 | needs improvement |
| Community Services | 44/100 | developing |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 20/100 | needs improvement |
| Core Operations | 42/100 | developing |
| Composite | 35/100 | developing |
Related Councils: hepburn-shire