Environment
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Platypus numbers good at Malmsbury
Eight platypus – six males and two females – were recorded during a recent trapping survey along the Coliban River at Malmsbury. All were in good condition and were released back to the wild after being examined by researchers from the Australian Platypus Conservancy, assisted by members of Malmsbury District Landcare Group who funded the…
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Chicks go online
It is time to don your favourite frock and floral accessory, switch your computer on and turn up the volume for this year’s Chicks in the Sticks event. In its eighth year, and the first time online, women from across central Victoria have the opportunity to join one of the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s…
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Western Water fined over spill
Western Water has been slapped with an $8261 fine for an unlicensed discharge of Class B recycled water at Gisborne. The spill of more than 40 megalitres, which occurred at the Willows (South of Mills Road), happened in June and was later estimated to have been leaking over a four-month period. Some of the spill…
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Big backyard bird count
Campbells Creek’s Jane Rusden has her trusty binoculars at the ready as she gets set for this month’s Aussie Backyard Bird Count. Jane is convenor of BirdLife Castlemaine District and she’s encouraging everyone to get twitching and be part of this month’s big Aussie Backyard Bird Count. The big national bird survey run by Birdlife…
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Exploring degrowth
Castlemaine activist, scholar and author, Anitra Nelson, will be speaking on the topic of degrowth as part of an online event this Thursday evening. Nelson co-wrote the new book, Exploring Degrowth: A Critical Guide, with French activist and spokesperson for the French and international degrowth movements, Vincent Liegey, who is currently living a degrowth lifestyle…
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Gisborne planning an election focal point
Proper planning for Gisborne’s future has emerged as one of the biggest election issues for Macedon Ranges’ south as ratepayers look to the polls. Attesting strong community interest is ratepayer Dean Markham’s fast-growing campaign to call for change to the council’s draft 30-year Gisborne Futures Plan. He argues the current draft leaves the town wide…
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Alarm at tree harvesting
Malmsbury East residents have become increasingly alarmed at the number of live trees being cut down, chopped up and removed from the Metcalfe Forest, between the Calder Freeway and Malmsbury-Metcalfe Road. One resident contacted local authorities and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in 2018 when this activity was first noticed, and again…
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Spotlight on wildlife road trauma
Wildlife carers are optimistic that more can be done to prevent wildlife road trauma as Macedon Ranges Council moves to investigate the issue. Spearheading the move at council’s September ordinary meeting, Cr Natasha Gayfer said wildlife road trauma had been raised with council several times over the past four years and was in need of…
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Fund our future
Wielding yellow blooms and dancing to the tune of ’70s disco hit Born To Be Alive, local students were hard to ignore as they gathered on the steps of Castlemaine’s Market Building on Friday to send clear a message to the PM. The local teens joined with supporters to participate in what was a wider…
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Malmsbury marks cultural heritage
New cultural signage has been installed at Malmsbury Common Reserve in conjunction with Djandak, the business enterprise of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation. Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s director of planning and environment, Angela Hughes, said a desire was expressed by the community to have Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners acknowledged and reflected in…
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Teen climate activist empowers change
Castlemaine teen and climate change activist Harriet O’Shea Carre has won the prestigious The Bridge Create Change Award at the 2020 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards. The Create Change Award acknowledges and celebrates the commitment young people make in achieving or participating in positive activities that empower change locally, nationally and/or internationally. The 15-year-old won the…
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Free thermal home assessments
Maldon couple Linda Pannan and Graham Thomas are already reaping significant savings from making their new home highly energy efficient. Now they’re about to share their knowledge through a new community project aimed at helping the town’s residents become “climate ready”. The two are among a small band of local volunteers who will next month…