Featured
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Climate petition gathers support in Mount Alexander
A group of Mount Alexander Shire residents with serious concerns about a lack of urgency by government at all levels in addressing climate change is calling on the shire council to declare a climate change emergency. The newly formed Mount Alexander Climate Emergency Team is urging council to take a stand and join the 36…
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Drone daredevils take fishing to new heights at Upper Coliban Reservoir
A daring Kyneton fisherman and his mates have tackled the first-ever drone fishing at Upper Coliban Reservoir in a stunt that put everything on the line. Armed with his rod and a VB stubby of courage, Sam Foreman dangled metres above the water, suspended in a chair from a purpose-built drone while captured on film.…
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Glass key in solving state recycling crisis
Macedon Ranges’ answer to Victoria’s recycling crisis could provide some relief for several councils struggling since the closure of recycling processor SKM. Council will not only consider adding glass collection to its recycling service, but also the establishment of sorting and processing infrastructure with potential to service beyond the shire’s needs. The ambitious move addresses…
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Documentary celebrates unique and quirky characters of Lancefield
A cinematic documentary about the unique and quirky characters that live and work in Lancefield is set to be launched at a local screening tonight at 6.30pm. Co-produced by Mike Jones, Harry Jon Nanos and Paul Carter, and co-funded by the Lancefield Community Bank and members of the Lancefield community, Lancefield Dreaming interviews a number…
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Market joy for Malmsbury
Malmsbury residents have been given the green light to hold a monthly farmers market on the town’s village green. The inaugural market kicks off on September 15 after positive meetings with the council and VicRoads confirmed support for the proposal. The plan had earlier hit a snag when organisers were told a $700 monthly fee…
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Castlemaine health service faces closure
Castlemaine District Community Health is in severe financial difficulty and faces possible closure if a solution to the funding shortfall can’t be found. The not-for-profit organisation provides Mount Alexander Shire with vital services such as homelessness support, nursing, counselling, alcohol and drug services, and community-based programs such as walking and strength training groups. Without immediate…
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Wastewater to be released to Deep Creek at Romsey
A proposed discharge of low-grade recycled wastewater into Deep Creek at Romsey has been upgraded following community backlash. Western Water aims to release 300 megalitres of recycled Class B water over two years to discharge excess wastewater that cannot be stored at its local Portingale Lane plant. General manager Graham Holt said the planned discharge…
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$60M apartment-style aged care proposed for Gisborne
A proposed $60 million development at Gisborne aims to introduce apartment-style aged care living by 2023. The plan follows amalgamation of Macedon Ranges Health and Victorian aged care provider Benetas in 2018. Benetas spokesperson Bruce Webb said diverse ageing services and retirement living in the region was particularly important considering population forecasts. “Population in the…
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Macedon Ranges urgent call to remove glass from recycling bins
Recycling will go to landfill if Macedon Ranges residents do not heed an urgent call to remove glass from recycling bins. The council has sought recycling alternatives since the closure of its processor SKM Recycling with assurances efforts would continue but was forced to send several loads of recycling to landfill last week. Macedon Ranges…
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Kyneton’s Lost Trades Fair move to Bendigo confirmed
Kyneton will no longer host the popular Lost Trades Fair as organisers sign up for the next three years in Bendigo. City of Greater Bendigo mayor Margaret O’Rourke announced yesterday that Bendigo Racecourse would host the 2020 fair in March. The news follows reports of organisers seeking a new location and sounding out the City…
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Victorian Solar Homes rebate program overhaul urgently needed
Jo Kaptein, manager of the MASH and Hepburn Solar Bulk Buys The MASH community solar bulk-buy team was all ready to go on August 1, at 9am prompt at four locations including Castlemaine and New Gisborne, to help bulk-buy participants submit their application for the state government’s $2225 Solar Homes program rebate. We’d done the…
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Container deposit push builds
Mount Alexander Shire councillors and executive staff are among those strongly supporting the push for a container deposit scheme in Victoria, with the state Greens expected to this week introduce legislation aimed at establishing the scheme. Recycling has become a hot button issue in Victoria after major processor SKM went into liquidation, forcing many councils…