News
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Community joins statewide push
Castlemaine residents determined to protect their town from a McDonald’s store are joining forces with other communities across Victoria in a statewide fight to stop the spread of multi-national fast-food outlets. The MAC OFF – Protect Castlemaine campaign is joining the ‘Not Lovin’ It!’ campaign that arose after Darebin City Council rejected a proposed 24-hour…
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Lancefield town plan deferred
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has voted to defer discussion on a town structure plan for Lancefield until April next year. The Department of Transport and Planning had offered support towards the plan as one of two options to resolve the lingering Development Plan Overlay Schedule 24. The other option was to review and simplify DPO24…
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Celebration of diversity turned sour
Seasoned drag performer Miss Polly Filla has been the subject of online abuse, harassment and death threats after a video of their performance at a local high school was shared on Facebook. On Friday, one of our journalists attended Castlemaine Secondary College for the annual Wear It Purple Day celebrations and Story Time with Polly.…
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Burglary leaves builders reeling
A Kyneton building company has been dealt a devastating blow after thieves twice raided its factory, making off with up to $90,000 worth of tools. Impact Build managing director Luke Said said the theft had left the company’s team feeling “defeated”, with the stolen equipment including tools belonging to two employees. The company’s Regent Place…
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Discover your new career
Looking for a career change or new skills? Visit the Training and Skills Fair! Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting local job seekers, career changers, students and aspiring entrepreneurs to attend the free Training and Skills Fair on Wednesday September 2 at Castlemaine Town Hall. The event will bring together 35 organisations offering employment opportunities,…
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Sewer spills raise fresh concerns
Heavy rain has again triggered sewer overflows in Kyneton and Malmsbury, prompting renewed concern from residents about the impact on local waterways. The incidents last Wednesday followed similar spills from pump stations in the two towns just two weeks earlier. Edgecombe resident Graham Connell said sewerage from the Kyneton spills was flowing into the Campaspe…
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Crossing relocation questioned
Concerns have been raised over the relocation of a pedestrian crossing point near the Romsey Road/High Street intersection at Woodend where two children were struck by vehicles. The two separate incidents in April saw already active campaigns for safety improvements to the busy site ramp up. In July, Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced more than…
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Honour Avenue under water
Woodend’s Honour Avenue road users have flagged safety concerns over ongoing flooded roadways during wet weather. Residents are calling for a permanent drainage fix for a section of the road near Savages Lane that is often inundated with water during heavy rain. Reduced speed and ‘water over road’ warning signs put out often do little…
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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…