Featured
-
On-water access
Residents are seeking reassurance on water quality and safety as the state government prepares to open on-water access for Coliban Water’s Kyneton catchment from August 1. For the first time, kayaks, canoes and small craft with electric motors will be permitted for recreational use at Malmsbury, Lauriston and Upper Coliban reservoirs. The new access comes…
-
Steps forward for Hanging Rock
Hanging Rock’s East Paddock will be purchased by the state government from Macedon Ranges Council via a $3 million commitment over the next three years to implement the Hanging Rock Strategic Plan. The purchase will prevent any future plans to commercially develop the site, as was controversially proposed by a former council that sought private…
-
River warning lifted
A health warning applied to the Campaspe River between Kyneton and Lake Eppalock since early June was lifted on Sunday afternoon by the Environment Protection Authority. The warning had been issued after Coliban Water admitted it had been forced to make daily unauthorised releases of water unfit for stock and domestic use to the river…
-
Castlemaine unwrapped!
A special tour taking place in Castlemaine next week will show participants where and how they can shop locally to keep single-use plastic out of their shopping baskets and out of the environment. Castlemaine Unwrapped – A Tour happens next Monday July 22 and follows the first such tour that was well received by local…
-
TOWERS CALL – Council in bid for innovative solutions
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has won support after doubling down on its call for stronger governance on the placement of telecommunication towers in the natural landscape. Taking its fight to the Australian Local Government Association for the second time, the council saw a small victory in the decision to lobby for increased federal funding for…
-
Courage on climate workshop
Locals worried about climate change and its impacts are being encouraged not to despair and invited to join with like-minded others to help address the global issue. The Castlemaine-based group Central Vic Climate Action is gearing up to coordinate a range of community actions including this month’s upcoming public workshop in Castlemaine. Group members like…
-
Fire compo to court
A Lancefield landholder whose property was burnt out by bushfire as a result of a state government planned burn that got out of control, says he has been forced to resort to legal action to finalise a compensation claim. Graeme Walker and his wife Adele have commenced County Court proceedings against the Department of Environment,…
-
Club links with Carlton Respects
Woodend-Hesket Football Netball Club has just become the first community club in Victoria to partner with Carlton Football Club and the important Carlton Respects Program. Carlton Respects, founded in 2016, promotes gender equality for the prevention of domestic violence against women, and has over 7500 participants in its schools’ program. The co-gender Woodend club sees…
-
Movement on supermarket proposal
Retail competition for IGA in Castlemaine appears to be on the horizon with movement in recent days toward establishment of a new player on the town’s supermarket scene. A Woolworths brand supermarket is proposed with a new application for a larger supermarket premises and a separate liquor retail outlet lodged by the Lascorp Development Group,…
-
Prepare with flair!
Have you always wished you were able to prepare wholesome meals with flair? Sign up for a six-week ‘Cooking with Tonia’ course with Kyneton Men’s Shed and you’ll learn fabulous techniques from celebrity cook Tonia Todman, who is also teaming up with guest chefs Damian Sandercock of Piper Street Food Co and Emma James of…
-
Let off some steam!
With the school term break now in full swing, a special steam train running between Castlemaine and Maldon has been offering kids the chance to let off some holiday steam themselves. The Victorian Goldfields Railway Steam Train for Kids is rolling down the tourist track between Castlemaine and Maldon on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during…
-
Forged in fire
Limited copies of a unique handmade book recounting personal Black Saturday bushfire survival stories by residents of the Redesdale area are poised to become part of permanent collections at the Australian National Library and the State Library of Victoria. Entitled Out of the Flames, into the Light, the handmade and very limited edition books feature…