Featured
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‘Rural identity not for sale’
Amy Hume Riddells Creek residents challenging the density of a residential development say the rural identity of their town is not for sale. The developer-led precinct structure plan includes the development of 131.8 hectares north of Amess Road identified for future growth. Residents say changes to the plan increase the development beyond the 1290 lots…
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Excitement builds for CSF 2023
Lisa Dennis The 2023 Castlemaine State Festival is just around the corner and the Express caught up with festival director, Glyn Roberts, to discuss what audiences can expect at the 24th instalment of Australia’s longest running regional arts festival. The Midland Express and Castlemaine Mail are proud to be media partners of the festival once…
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CAM Commissions to launch
Lisa Dennis A fundraiser on Friday will mark the first crucial step for Castlemaine Art Museum’s board as it works to raise much-needed funds to bridge the gallery’s funding shortfall and ensure it is a successful going concern from June 2023. CAM invites the community to celebrate the inaugural CAM Commissions launch event this Friday.…
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Shed fire at Lauriston
A stray spark from a welder ignited materials and chemicals in a tin shed on a rural property at Lauriston yesterday. The blaze broke out about 4.30pm and quickly engulfed the large workshop shed. Fire brigades from Malmsbury, Kyneton, Spring Hill and Taradale rushed to the Lauriston Road address and began property protection to prevent…
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Building the regional startup sector
Despite 25 per cent of Victoria’s population living in the regions, just three per cent of business startups are based in regional Victoria. Now, a $260,000 grant from Victorian Government startup agency, LaunchVic, will allow a local consortium led by Bendigo-based tech company Clear Dynamics to build on a regional startup support program being offered…
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Rapid rise to the top
Annette Death has been elected Macedon Ranges Shire mayor for a one-year term. The East Ward councillor from Riddells Creek was elected unchallenged last week and welcomed the opportunity to lead the team of councillors and work closely with the council’s leadership team and community. “I look forward to growing in this role with you…
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Intersection upgrade ahead
Amy Hume Macedon Ranges Council is advocating for ‘prompt’ delivery of safety improvements to Woodend’s notorious Urquhart-High Street intersection, which could be up to seven years away. The works are a ‘medium-term’ project in the draft Woodend Integrated Transport Study with a four-to-seven year timeframe. Council’s director of assets and operations, Shane Walden, said the…
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Hair-razing move
For a decade they were known for their dreadlocks; now for braving the razor to raise funds and awareness for mental health. Mates John Crozier, Lucas Paladino and Jarrod McQuade lopped off their locks in front of a 100-stong crowd at The Full Moon Saloon at Woodend earlier this month. Two young men in attendance…
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Christmas shop controversy
Jade Jungwirth A number of Maldon shop owners have expressed outrage at a new red arrow pointing to ‘Santa and the Christmas Shop’ (Vanilla Spice). Traders approached members of Maldon Inc (Maldon’s business association) to discuss their anger and confusion regarding a new addition to the Maldon wayfinder sign that is promoting the Maldon Christmas…
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Seb named junior champion
Bernadette Nunn He’s only nine but East Trentham’s Sebastian Beattie has already ticked off his number one ambition, showing his own stud sheep at the Kyneton Show. “I just always wanted to show my sheep,” he said. He did more than that though, winning the Champion Stud Sheep Junior Handler award. Steward of the stud…
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Labor MPs returned
Local Labor MPs, Maree Edwards and Mary-Anne Thomas, have been re-elected to their respective seats of Bendigo West and Macedon in Labor’s return to government at Saturday’s state election. Both seats experienced a small swing against Labor of between three and four per cent, below the state average of between five and six per cent.…
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Housing green light for Riddell
A hotly debated 10-unit development for Riddells Creek got a green light at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last week. Plans for the 4551sqm site at 4 Richardson Street had been disputed for overdevelopment and inconsistency with neighbourhood character. The proposal had council officer approval but community dissent sparked an online campaign and 17…