News
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“What is the point?” Protections ignored
A document built to protect Macedon Ranges’ distinctive areas and landscapes is being “ignored” and lacks power, Macedon Ranges Shire councillors say. While Macedon Ranges was the first declared Distinctive Area Landscape in 2018, the council says vital steps have lagged that would ensure its special protection. The Macedon Ranges Statement of Planning Policy 2019…
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Nurturing connection on Country
An excited crowd of local First Nations and non-Indigenous community members gathered on Friday at Me-Mandook Galk Indigenous Education and Bush Tucker Place in Chewton for a celebration filled with music, connection and hope for the future. The event marked the launch of Uncle Rick’s Community Shed and the announcement of major BIG Project funding…
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Inquiry calls for change
The Victorian Government has been warned that the current model of volunteer wildlife rescue is unsustainable and wildlife roadstrike danger in increasing. The Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee tabled its final report on the Parliamentary Inquiry into wildlife roadstrike in Victoria last Tuesday. It presented 32 findings and 18 recommendations to respond the crisis…
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Mayor caught drink-driving, won’t stand for re-election
Macedon Ranges mayor Dom Bonanno has lost his driver’s licence after being caught speeding and drink driving in the mayoral car last month. Police said Cr Bonanno was pulled over on McGeorge Road in Gisborne South about 8.15pm on Friday, October 31. He returned a positive roadside breath test and was taken to a local…
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Old hospital rebirth begins
Embracia Victoria has begun early works on the redevelopment of the Old Kyneton Hospital into a mixed-use destination. Director Sarah MacKenzie said Embracia had long awaited the chance to restore the Old Kyneton Hospital into a mixed-use destination. “The proposed adaptive re-use development will combine commercial offices on the ground floor, which will endeavour to…
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Bill to silence objectors, speed up planning
Victorians could be stripped of third-party planning appeal rights as the state government prepares for what it has called the “biggest planning shake-up in decades”. Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny introduced the Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill 2025 into the Victorian Parliament on October 28 in a bid to speed up planning processes.…
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Department of Justice throws BBQ for Malmsbury
The Department of Justice held a public forum in Malmsbury last Thursday night for its first official meeting with residents since announcing the town’s youth detention centre would reopen. About 50 residents, local first responders and councillors attended the DOJ’s sausage sizzle, held on the prison lawn adjacent to the carpark. The crowd informally gathered…
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People, pets to go together
Castlemaine Cemetery Trust has played a role in helping to change the law regarding burials in Victoria. “We are just the second state that will allow your family pet to be buried in your family plot,” the trust stated last week. Woodend-based Animal Justice Party MP, Georgie Purcell, was successful with her amendment put before…
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Stunt horses star at Cox Plate
Two Newham horses were the proud bearers of the Australian flag at the Ladbrokes Cox Plate last month. Riders Damian Everard and Stephen Cox partnered Frisian Zulu and Andalusian Ruby for the big moment that formed part of the presentation. Moonee Valley Racing Club head of racing Charlotte Mills said the concept came from the…
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“Passion alone can’t keep the lights on”
Financial strain is putting Macedon Ranges’ Neighbourhood Houses at risk of closure and threatening the vital programs they provide. After years of inadequate funding, almost half of Victoria’s houses have been forced to operate at a loss for two consecutive years, according to Neighbourhood House Victoria data. NHV said the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program —…
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Shipping a container of hope to Uganda
For the past four months, I Am Someone founder Steve Argent has worked alongside a group of local volunteers to fill every inch of a 40-foot shipping container with essential items to send to Uganda. On Friday, the container, full of clothes, shoes, a ute and a mini-bus, pencils (that were packed into water bottles…
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Free energy efficiency workshop
The Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit is launching free community workshops in Kyneton and Romsey to help residents improve home energy efficiency, lower bills and improve their health and wellbeing. Funded by La Trobe University’s Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health and delivered in partnership with Enviroshop, the workshop offers practical advice on reducing…