News
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FOGO and glass bins on council’s agenda
The agenda for tonight’s meeting of Mount Alexander Shire Council is out, and FOGO (Food Organics Green Organics) is top of the list – leaving members of YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) and the newly formed Mount Alexander Organics Partnership (MAOP) feeling confused. MAOP spokesperson Mikaela Beckley said the group was perplexed by the council’s…
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Big Splash makes waves
A push for year-round swimming facilities in Mount Alexander Shire has gathered momentum, with hundreds of community members backing a campaign for better access to aquatic facilities. Swim Mt Alexander (SWIMMA) held a ‘Big Splash’ gathering on Saturday morning, bringing supporters together on the steps of Castlemaine’s historic Market Building to highlight the growing need…
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‘Opportunity to provide certainty’ on DPO24
After years of stymied development and restrictions in key Lancefield growth areas, landholders are now getting a fairer hearing for their predicament than ever before, as the state election approaches. They are asking for removal of Development Plan Overlay Schedule 24 that has hindered land freedom and development for 27 landholders across three areas. The…
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Push to pause on Clarkefield
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has formally called on the Minister for Planning to defer a decision on a major Clarkefield development. MRSC wants Amendment C164 put on hold until major unresolved planning, infrastructure, safety, environmental and financial matters have been independently reviewed and addressed. It is also seeking the minister undertake an independent peer and…
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Windfall doco to screen
Blackwood-based film Windfall, which documents the extreme weather events of June 2021, will be showing at Woodend this month. Director Brendan Hehir said the film was filled with amazing footage, local insights and humour, as well as expert analysis and explanation. While the film captures the fear of an extreme weather event, it also uses…
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Artist leaves his mark
What began as a plain Colorbond fence has become a vibrant work of art thanks to Solomon Islander artist Donald Suakapu, whose talent is leaving a lasting impression on the Castlemaine community. Local resident Margaret Grey recently commissioned Donald to paint a sweeping landscape across the inside of her backyard fence after discovering his work…
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‘Let’s get on board’
Acting Sergeant Erin Barkway joined the Castlemaine unit earlier this year. While she has been welcomed by the members, there are only a handful of women and she would love to see more join the force. “Women in policing – let’s get on board,” she said. “There are only a handful of women at Castlemaine,…
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Housing questions left unanswered
Housing targets for the Macedon Ranges are set at 13,200 dwellings by 2051 but council queries about how those figures were formulated have so far been unanswered. The state government set targets for each municipality last year and warned councils they would need to unlock land for housing or it would “do it for you”.…
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Residents demand action on Gisborne intersection
Gisborne residents are demanding urgent action after a newly reconstructed intersection reopened without regulatory road signs. They warn the situation is creating confusion and posing a safety risk. The intersection of Cherry Lane and Swinburne Avenue, beside the Gisborne Children’s Centre, has been open to traffic for almost a week despite works associated with the…
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‘Mac Off’ campaign begins
A packed community soup gathering in Castlemaine last Thursday night has signalled growing opposition to a proposed McDonald’s, with residents officially launching the Mac Off – Protect Castlemaine campaign. Young people involved in the recent Kids Against Maccas rally joined local business owners and residents at the Healthy Food, Not Fast Food event, united in…
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Thefts and dumping impact charity services
Rubbish dumping, theft and attempted break-ins are impacting services at Kyneton charity op shops and support services. Kyneton Foodbank has experienced an increase in rubbish dumping over the past 12 months, and a recent attempted break-in and damage to its refrigerated food van. Video surveillance has also captured people rifling through donation bags left and…
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Horse rescued from spillway
Emergency services assisted with an unusual rescue of a horse that became trapped last week. The horse, named Flicker, had fallen through a collapsed concrete dam spillway and was unable to free himself. Working alongside SES Gisborne Unit, the attending veterinarian and the specialist team from Arthurs Creek and Strathewen CFA Large Animal Rescue, Gisborne…