Featured
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Plastics war could step up
A move to phase out single-use plastics in Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s operations could extend to some general community events. The council will consider banning plastic cutlery and straws, cling wrap, balloons and all other single-use plastics at council sponsored or supported events in the Macedon Ranges. Spearheading the movement, Councillor Natasha Gayfer said stepping…
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New pooch park proving popular
Since it opened last month, Guildford’s new off-lead dog park has been proving very popular among dog owners and their four-legged friends who have been travelling from near and far to enjoy what it has to offer. This includes just over four acres of space to stretch, run, sniff and roll – all off-lead –…
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Born by the river
Kyneton local Nancy Mortimer welcomed a new grandchild before Christmas who was in quite a hurry to arrive. Nancy’s son Anthony and daughter-in-law Rachael live more than 100 kilometres away in St Andrews but had their first child, Xavier, delivered at Castlemaine Hospital and wanted to return there for their second. When Rachael’s labour began…
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Conserving a local treasure
Locals will get a chance to help conserve one of the nation’s most remarkable endangered creatures that lives in Castlemaine’s Kalimna Reserve. Two upcoming public monitoring walks to assess numbers of eltham copper butterfly come as local scientists call for comprehensive surveys of the remarkable and nationally endangered creature. Members of the Concerned Ecologists and…
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Romsey site sought for new enterprise
Once ‘hidden’ local artisans can soon showcase their wares with the emergence of a new social enterprise in Romsey. The local Neighbourhood House is seeking a shopfront to help people sell and promote handcrafted goods as well as support a range of community initiatives including tearooms, a fix-it shop and community garden. Romsey Neighbourhood House…
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Light design not so bright
A Gisborne resident is fuming over new street lights installed in her estate that no longer match the heritage-look lamp poles beneath them. Macedon Ranges Shire Council has replaced the light fittings on top of the poles in Jacksons Creek Estate with energy efficient LED lights, but resident Anne Moore says they look ridiculous. “This…
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Billboard blow – VCAT overturns council refusal
Castlemaine residents who opposed plans to erect a large advertising billboard in Johnstone Street have been left in shock after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal overturned Mount Alexander Shire Council’s decision to refuse a permit for the sign. Council received 28 formal written objections to the proposed sign at 42-44 Johnstone Street, which is…
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Residents gutted
A council plan to dig up heritage bluestone guttering in one of Kyneton’s oldest streets has residents threatening to form a human barricade to prevent the works. Edgecombe Street residents Dale and Helen Gillis say they appreciate the need for safety improvements to the school precinct along the west side of their street, but argue…
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Winds of change
Winds of change have swept over the heritage-protected Windmill Farm of Kyneton. It is home to a rare 1850s bluestone windmill, the last of its kind in Victoria, and following restoration works, it could soon become open to the public for the first time. New custodians, Sallyanne and Andrew Craig, with their three children, purchased…
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Urgent call for change
Biolinks Alliance has submitted an urgent call for more research and funding to the 2018 inquiry into Australia’s faunal extinction crisis. The Kyneton-based alliance comprises 18 landcare and environment groups dedicated to repairing regional landscapes and saving threatened species. Board member Karen Alexander OAM, who authored the submission, said Victoria was the most cleared state…
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Surprise musical legacy for the men
It’s not every day you get left a surprising musical legacy. When dedicated Castlemaine Men’s Shed member Lindesay Hart passed away earlier this year he left a bequest for his mates at the shed – the entire contents of his own home shed. Turns out Lindesay’s shed contained a wide range of goods ranging from…
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Legal action loses fire
A court case has been dropped over the removal of a historical brick sawdust kiln in Kyneton. The unusual kiln at Lauriston Reservoir Road was destroyed in January less one month after its significance was recognised for local heritage protection. Macedon Ranges Shire Council began proceedings against the landowners of the property concerned in the…