Local News
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Mining bid no laughing matter
Tom Gleeson has used his star power for a second time to help shut down mining plans spanning a huge area of the Macedon Ranges from Hesket to Pipers Creek and Nulla Vale. The comedian, who calls Romsey home, red-flagged two exploration licence applications on social media last week, showing once again that mining Macedon…
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Get on board with Harcourt’s Miniature Railway
It’s an imposing sight. The newly built replica of Maryborough’s grand 1870s railway station, complete with newly added clock tower, stands testament to the massive work that’s already been done towards creating Harcourt’s Miniature Railway. Now Stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions have placed Victorian Miniature Railway’s work to realise its grand vision on hold. But the…
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Help for new parents
Castlemaine-based doula Elloise Moffatt has launched a free online parent group aimed to support first-time and new parents across the region. Elloise specialises in supporting parents with postpartum care and grappling with the challenges of feeding and caring for their newborn. The doula said the first few weeks could be enough of a challenge for…
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Carbon neutral plan for council
Mount Alexander Shire Council has adopted a detailed plan outlining the path it now intends to follow to achieve zero net carbon emissions for its operations by 2025. Local councillors last week unanimously voted in favour of adopting the new Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2020-2025 with Cr John Nieman moving the motion in favour and…
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‘Stakeholders’ call for new candidates
A group of ‘concerned local stakeholders’ who believe the potential of the Macedon Ranges “is being constrained by current regional decision makers” has put out a call for new council candidates. Placing a classifieds advertisement in the Midland Express last week, the group stated it was “dedicated to supporting new councillors to bring innovative ideas…
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Woodend designer builds new sustainable brand
Woodend designer Bree Cresp has combined her skill for dressmaking and passion for the environment to make a difference. Her new eco fashion label Get Conscious produces quality and quirky ethical clothing with sustainability at its core but it needs community support to launch. Bree has begun a Kickstarter campaign with a goal to raise…
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Elections will go ahead
Local government elections will proceed on Saturday October 24, despite some concern they have been compromised by COVID-19. Last week, Municipal Association of Victoria president Coral Ross said it was “incredibly frustrating” that the State Government had not listened to the sector and taken the common-sense decision to delay elections. “We have been calling for…
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Who will seek re-election?
Six of Macedon Ranges’ current nine councillors have confirmed they will seek re-election in October and one will bow out after serving 12 years. Roger Jukes, one of the longest serving current councillors, told the Express he would be “retiring from local government at this election” after chalking up three terms. “Although there is still…
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FARM DECISION OVERTHROWN
Macedon Ranges Council’s decision to refuse farmland development for a small-scale farm venture at Woodend North has been overthrown by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The proposal sought to build a house and large shed on 6.2 hectares at 130 Russells Lane to support a speckle park cattle breeding pursuit with about 10 cows.…
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Newstead’s solar farm plan
Plans for a small-scale solar farm, big enough to generate enough electricity for Newstead, have opened for public review. Renewable Newstead, the community group behind the plan for a solar farm of up to 10 megawatt, said the planning permit application was a great step towards its goal of delivering affordable and reliable renewable energy…
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Marnie rises to the challenge
Woodend’s Marnie Thorsen is a ‘bloody legend’ in the eyes of the Mito Foundation. She has been named in the top 30 individual achievers for the Bloody Long Virtual Walk after raising more than $1700 for Australians living with mitochondrial disease. The event challenged participants to walk or run 35km during August 1-10 to raise…
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GemLife Woodend in bid to expand
GemLife Woodend is seeking to extend its over 50s lifestyle resort with an additional 19 homes to the west, which one objector fears may impact neighbourhood character and amenity. The 9720m² extension would take in abutting land at 29-33 Sullivans Road resulting in an overall development of 245 dwellings, a manager’s residence and recreation facilities.…