Environment
-
Nature needs you
In cities and towns across the globe, people are taking walks in nature, seeking solace in nature – and yet nature needs us more than ever. That’s the call from local environmental group Biolinks Alliance, amid growing concerns the coronavirus is deflecting urgent attention from the climate and biodiversity crisis. “So many of us are…
-
Not up to scratch
Poor tree pruning has brought Powercor’s electric line clearance works to a standstill in the Macedon Ranges until the company and local council agree on a work plan.Powercor contractors were criticised for leaving trees damaged and unsightly at several locations across the shire during its bushfire mitigation program, prompting council intervention in January.Since then, council’s…
-
Council bid for old school site
Macedon Ranges Council will make a bid to take over part of the vacated former Kyneton Primary School site. The proposal comes as the state government moves to find an organisation or group to manage and use part or all of the 1.2 hectares of land on Baynton Street by calling for expressions of interest…
-
Offer on Hanging Rock’s East Paddock
Macedon Ranges Council discussed the future of Hanging Rock’s East Paddock behind closed doors on Friday. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning made an offer to purchase the council-owned site which is adjacent to the iconic landmark. The offer was listed on the agenda for the council’s special meeting last week but councillors…
-
Treetop rescue – Wildlife carers urge responsible dog ownership
A young koala’s brush with death in a canine encounter at Mount Macedon has wildlife carers urging responsible dog ownership. The koala, Amigo, suffered deep puncture wounds and severe bruising after he was attacked on Tucketts Road on Easter Saturday. Fast on the scene, Macedon Ranges Wildlife Rescue’s Sue Anderson and Mel Fraser made efforts…
-
Trees desecrated at Ravenswood
Residents of Soldier Road at Ravenswood contacted the Express last week angered at the desecration of a number of mature eucalypt trees on a local roadside. The furious residents said someone had taken it upon themselves to cut down four of the 30-foot trees on the picturesque roadside for firewood. The perpetrator has also reportedly ‘ring-barked’…
-
Gain solace from gardening
Sandy Scheltema In these extraordinary times when we must stay at home and cancel everything except our commitment to our common humanity, many of us are finding solace in growing food. To dig the soil, plant seeds, tend to and nurture a garden can bring great joy and calmness, and seeing something growing from what…
-
Rethink on discharge to Deep Creek at Romsey
Landcarers have welcomed Western Water’s rethink on a planned discharge of Class B recycled water into Deep Creek at Romsey. Deep Creek Landcare’s Robin Ford said members were optimistic to see the water authority explore alternatives to its proposal last August. Western Water had signalled its intent to release 300 megalitres of excess wastewater over…
-
Nature can help calm
We are lucky in this region to have beautiful parks and gardens full of glorious autumn colours to enjoy during this time of social isolation. With many of us feeling anxiety and fear getting out into nature can help calm us. Spending time outdoors has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels, calm you, and…
-
New public events policy clamps down on waste
New requirements governing waste management – including plastics – at local public events will be phased in over the next two years after Mount Alexander Shire Council adopted its new waste-wise events policy last week. Once fully implemented, the new policy will require a range of more environmentally sustainable practices aimed at reducing landfill and…
-
No more water hazard at Trentham club
Teeing off at the picturesque par-three 13th hole at Trentham Golf Course is usually accompanied by the soothing noise of a waterfall. The problem is none of the club’s members can ever remember actually seeing it. “It’s pretty noisy. We have always known there was something there,” club president Keith Webster said. The golf course…
-
‘Declare a climate emergency’: XR
Local Extinction Rebellion protesters last month launched coordinated protest actions across the Macedon Ranges to demand immediate action on climate change. The actions took place as part of the statewide XR Rural Day of Climate Change Action on February 21 in the lead up to the Climate Justice Alliance’s Climate Crisis National Day of Action…