About Z-NET

Hepburn Z-NET acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung people as the rightful custodians of the Hepburn Shire. We pay our respects to Ancestors and Elders and recognise the Dja Dja Wurrung peoples enduring connection to this land. 

Hepburn Z-NET is seeking to make the Hepburn Shire the first zero-net emission shire in Australia. We want to demonstrate the social, economic and environmental benefits of decarbonising while enabling others to learn and join this transition.

Currently, Hepburn Shire produces 262,041 tonnes of carbon per year. With 15,000 residents in our shire, the community will play a key role in enabling our shire to reach our two targets of zero-net energy by 2025 and then zero-net emissions by 2030.

Our community has played a central role in developing the foundations of Z-NET. Our masterplan, The Community Transition Plan was co-developed with locals, researchers, industry and technical stakeholders, with ongoing governance from our community Roundtable.

The Hepburn Shire Council, one of our key partners, has made a Climate Emergency Declaration, signalling their commitment to the communities transition to zero-net emissions.

If you would like to take action and get involved in Hepburn Z-NET, have a look at our action pages for how your Home, School, Workplace, Farm and Community can contribute to our zero-net emission target.

This website was made possible due to the support from Hepburn Shire Council, Hepburn Wind, Sustainability Victoria, Creswick and District Community Bank and Latitude Design.

Do you want to learn more about our projects and programs? Then have a look at our news and events.

As a community transition, having good governance structures has been key to building and delivering a zero-net emission transition plan that represents the needs of our community.

In development phases, Hepburn Z-NET was delivered by a project team, led by Renew and composed of local partners from Hepburn Wind, Hepburn Shire Council and local sustainability groups, receiving advice and direction from a Community Advisory Panel (CAP). Now during the implementation phase, partner representatives and some community members from the panel are members of the ‘Z-NET Roundtable’ which directs how Hepburn Z-NET is delivered.

The Hepburn Shire Council has a key role as the backbone for Hepburn Z-NET, supporting participating organisations and community members in coordination and delivery of programs.

Hepburn Z-NET would not be possible without the following locals: Fiona Robson, Dominic Murphy, Glenda Holmes, Ian MacBean, Jurgen Rhyon, Barbara Curzon-Siggers, David Holmgren, Eirinn Taylor, Laurel Freeland, Lindy Churches, Noel Gregory, Sebastian Klein, Tammi Jonas, Taryn Lane and Timothy Drylie.

Hepburn Z-NET recognises the longstanding and good work done by Hepburn Relocalisation Network, Transition Creswick, SHARE, Trentham Sustainability Group and Hepburn Wind which are all represented on the Roundtable.