Environment
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What happens to our glass?
Glass separation has been key in simpler recovery of other recyclables like plastic, metal and paper in the Macedon Ranges, but not all are clear on what is to become of it once collected. Macedon Ranges Council introduced separate household glass bins earlier this month as part of its new four-bin system in response to…
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Macedon Ranges Council calls out ‘greenwashing’
Macedon Ranges Council has called out “greenwashing” in a push for a national ban on harsh fragmentable plastic products and mandatory product recycle labelling. Councillors have slammed “false advertising” on plastic products that are not fully biodegradable and will take their fight to the Australian Local Government Association’s national general assembly in June. They want…
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Seed library to sprout benefits
The Macedon Ranges community will reap the benefits from growing its own plants as a new initiative gets underway. The Macedon Ranges Seed Library will launch on March 7 in a bid to encourage locals to grow their own food supply and help to protect plant diversity in the region. The idea of the seed…
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Protection plan launched
The state government’s long-awaited plan to protect the Macedon Ranges from overdevelopment and urban sprawl was launched during a tour of the region by planning minister Richard Wynne last Thursday. Joining Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas, local indigenous elders and shire councillors at Blackhill Reserve, Mr Wynne launched the Statement of Planning Policy, a 50-year strategy…
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Bee kill on the agenda
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s use of chemicals to kill a swarm of bees at Castlemaine’s botanical gardens will be discussed at tonight’s council meeting. The council in November received a petition containing 17 signatures from people concerned about its use of chemicals to kill the bees at the gardens on October 19 last year. The…
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Food forest takes root
Kerryn Wildenburg has planted the seed for a permaculture ‘Food Forest’ in Kyneton. She is donating four acres of her own land to provide vulnerable community members with a place where they can learn to grow and cook nutritious food. “Food brings people together. It allows connection, and builds relationships and sustainable change. We want…
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Castlemaine wildlife reserve welcomes friends
It’s a little natural jewel, easy walking distance to the centre of Castlemaine, and right under residents’ noses. But many locals don’t even realise the Kaweka Wildflower Reserve is there say the dedicated committee members who help look after it. Kaweka Wildflower Reserve is an L-shaped 2.5-hectare parcel of conserved bushland that was presented to…
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New bins roll out in Macedon Ranges
Macedon Ranges’ new four-bin kerbside waste collection service rolled out last week as many other Victorian councils await state government direction on the waste crisis. The shire’s new service has introduced glass only and full ‘food organics garden organics’ recycling. More than 14,000 customers are part of the first stage of the FOGO service, each…
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Backing cash-for-cans
It is not yet known what impact a state-wide container deposit scheme would have on kerbside recycling services but both Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander shire councils have welcomed the move. A soft announcement of the state government’s likely introduction of scheme came last week as Macedon Ranges began its four-bin waste collection service that…
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Council ordered to clean up ‘unofficial’ Lancefield tip site
Macedon Ranges Council has a clean up bill of about $40,000 after it was ordered to secure an “unofficial tip site” at Showlers Lane, Lancefield. The Environment Protection Authority issued a notice for remediation works on the council-owned road reserve, following an investigation that resulted from a community tip-off. Council workers have covered the area…
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Bid to protect Gisborne avenues of honour
Unregistered avenues of honour in Gisborne and New Gisborne are at risk as the towns reshape for population growth. Several of the 100-year-old oak trees have already been lost to road widening and duplication works over the years and residents fear more may be lost with no protection, while development and changes to road networks…
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Fill birdbaths for wildlife
The recent wildfires throughout southeastern Australia have had tragic impacts on people and wildlife. While the Macedon Ranges and its environs escaped devastation during these latest fires, our region’s sensitive natural habitats are still subject to chronic rising temperatures and declining rainfall, posing threats to long-established wildlife populations. In light of the immense damage suffered…