News
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Council CEO resigns
Macedon Ranges Shire Council chief executive officer Margot Stork has today resigned from her position. Ms Stork said she was proud of the many achievements of the past three years while leading the organisation, including major strategic work on the Statement of Planning Policy and Hanging Rock Strategic Plan, and delivering organisational reform. The mayor,…
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Roadhouse rejected for Woodend
A controversial bid for a 24-hour roadhouse with room for three fast-food restaurants at Woodend North has been rejected by Macedon Ranges Council planners. Plans included 16 fuel bowsers, a convenience store, three kitchens with two drive-throughs, internal and external dining areas, a picnic ground, parking and bays for 13 trucks. The ambitious proposal was…
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Democracy shift for Hepburn
The launch of a new ‘Community Voice’ group marks a new era of democracy in Hepburn Shire. Community Voice is a non-political grassroots movement that aims to shift the process of local government towards participatory democracy by encouraging continual community participation. Spokesperson Jen Bray said the results of the 2020 Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey,…
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Life in a parallel universe – Photo makes NY exhibition
A photograph from Sandy Scheltema’s ‘Life in The Time of Corona Virus’ series is among just 1000 selected from 35,000 images worldwide for an exhibition documenting the pandemic at the International Centre of Photography New York. ICP (www.icp.org) is the world’s leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Established in 1974, the ICP has…
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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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Dicko to the rescue
Electricity runs through Gordon Dickeson’s veins. The Powercor linesman has worked with live wires for 37 years and still to this day loves his job. Even in the depths of Kyneton’s winter, he’s one of that rare breed who looks forward to getting up and going to work. “I love it with a passion,” he…
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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…