Local News
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Co-located aged care and childcare planned for Old Kyneton Hospital
After years of false starts, new plans have emerged to restore the Old Kyneton Hospital building to its former glory following the site’s sale last month to aged-care provider Embracia Victoria. Plans by previous owner Winport Developments to develop the 1850s bluestone building into apartments and build 64 houses on the surrounding five acres were…
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Woodend intersection dubbed a ‘lesson in irresponsible planning’
A notorious Woodend intersection has been dubbed “a lesson in irresponsible planning” as it moves up Macedon Ranges Council’s priority list. Users of the High/Urquhart Street intersection have reported an alarming number of ‘near misses’ and say it’s the result of “development not done right”. They contend with main street congestion, a confusing layout with…
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Dog park still to have its day
Efforts to settle on a site for Castlemaine’s long-mooted off-leash dog park are progressing – slowly – with hopes a location will be finalised soon. Castlemaine ward councillor Dave Petrusma raised the issue at the most recent council meeting and also attended a meeting last week involving a local committee charged with managing a site…
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Roo shot near Woodend devastates wildlife rescuers
The death of two rehabilitated and hand-raised kangaroos shot near Woodend has saddened local wildlife carers. Both kangaroos were discovered with gunshot wounds to head and face in two incidents occurring within weeks of each other, prompting the Conservation Regulator’s appeal for information last week. “All native wildlife is protected in Victoria. It is an…
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Castlemaine joins climate rallies
As thousands joined climate rallies in cities and major centres across Australia on Friday, Castlemaine was not left out. Friday’s rally involved people from all walks of life – young and otherwise – who were all there to add their voices to the growing calls for more effective actions to address climate change and runaway…
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Grogan’s big day at Kyneton races
Hardworking local trainer Ted Grogan is kept busy with thoroughbreds and quarter horses, and stole the limelight when his very long-priced entrants made their presence felt at the Kyneton race meeting last week. Grogan had four runners at Kyneton, with rank outsider Evolvement winning at odds of $61, Cerveau running second at $101, Discombulate finishing…
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Bioenergy plant plan for Castlemaine
Hopes to build a Castlemaine bioenergy plant using waste product generated at Don KR, in a bid to drive down greenhouse gas emissions while generating clean power, have received a significant boost with the proposal collecting a national innovation award in recent days. Driving the vision for the past four years, the Mount Alexander Sustainability…
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Brigades battle burn-offs
Fire brigades across the region have been kept busy bringing escaped fires under control over the past fortnight. In one incident last Friday morning, a contract slasher working to create a fire break sparked a grassfire at Baringhup when the equipment struck granite. Baringhup Fire Brigade captain Brendan McKnight said striking granite was almost 100…
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A conversation can save a life
Melanie Jorgensen is starting the conversation. She is making it her mission to encourage talk around mental health, after losing her 15-year-old son Lachlan to suicide in October 2017. Described as “a lover of all things sport”, Lachlan was a national 400-metre sprinter and talented footballer who had battled depression and anxiety for more than…
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Kyneton Show shines with record crowds
Organisers have declared the 159th Kyneton Show an enormous success with perfect spring weather on Show Day setting new attendance records. Kyneton Agricultural Society secretary Josephine Rutledge said more than 5800 people went through the gates over the two days, well up on the 5000 last year. She said the country-styled parkour obstacle course was…
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River in poor health: enviro students concerned about Campaspe
The plight of the Campaspe River has captured the attention of a group of year 11 environmental science students whose water sampling has raised concerns about the health of the waterway. The Sacred Heart College students have been following the issue of Coliban Water’s releases of wastewater from the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant to the…
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Kyneton’s new hub for Macedon Ranges creators
Kyneton will bolster its reputation as a hub for creators with a new exhibition expected to regularly showcase the wares of artisans in the Macedon Ranges. While the town may have farewelled the popular Lost Trades Fair earlier this year, Drummond furniture designer and woodwork instructor Phoebe Everill aims to introduce the new platform for…