News
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Unrest as new chapter opens
Tomorrow July 1 marks a historic day as the Country Fire Authority’s ‘integrated’ metro and regional stations and Metropolitan Fire Brigade merge to become new service Fire Rescue Victoria. The controversial move led by the state government comes after years of bitter disputes about the proposal between the government, the United Firefighters Union, volunteers association…
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Alternative development?
“Sometimes what may seem radical, almost ridiculous now, can turn into a visionary decision when looked back on by future generations.” This is just one view on a concept to offer Gisborne’s former champion ex-racehorse property Glen Junor as an alternative to traditional development. A cornerstone of the concept is the developer’s promise to set…
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GROWING PAINS FOR GISBORNE
Gisborne’s coveted village feel could be compromised if Macedon Ranges Council’s draft 30-year plan for the town is adopted without change. The plan recommends controversial expansion of Gisborne Business Park and allows for high-density development close to the town centre including three-storey homes and four-storey commercial fronts. But it was the unanticipated and rushed inclusion…
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C-DOC in the clouds
Castlemaine Documentary Film Festival will return to screens big and small in 2020 despite the recent COVID-19 shutdown. The C-Doc team team has been fermenting and bubbling along in hibernation during lockdown, unable to resist the urge to bring audiences the sixth annual event and a ‘break in the clouds’ in the middle of winter.…
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Theft in hard times
A disappointing theft in hard times has set Kyneton Community House back in making its childcare playground safe. About $300 in softfall and sand meant to meet playground safety and compliance was stolen from the community centre’s carpark between June 12-14. Community house director Claire Rawlinson said witnesses saw someone filling a wheelbarrow before disappearing…
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False alarm at Woodend’s historic Victoria Hotel
Firefighters from Woodend and Macedon were quick to respond after a caller to triple zero reported seeing flames in the roof of Woodend’s historic Victoria Hotel about 11.30am this morning. An inspection of the hotel’s roof cavity with a thermal camera found no trace of smoke or fire. It is believed that two log fires…
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Buses replace trains for nine days
Buses will replace trains between Flagstaff, North Melbourne and Sunbury stations as part of Sunbury line upgrade works starting this Saturday. Sunbury line passengers will travel on replacement buses from 12.45am on Saturday, June 27, until the last train on Sunday, July 5. On weekends and from 9pm weekdays, buses will replace trains between North…
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Man charged for endangering police
Police have charged a man following an incident in Elphinstone yesterday. Local units were travelling along the Calder Freeway in Kyneton when they observed an SUV bearing stolen plates allegedly speeding about 4pm. Another unit followed the car towards Elphinstone before the car stopped in Harmony Way and a female passenger got out and attempted…
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Macedon Ranges Shire Council sheds fourth tier
A new three-directorate organisational structure for Macedon Ranges Shire Council has been finalised. The changes involved reducing director positions from four to three – and realigning departments and senior manager roles – and will come into effect from July 1. The three new directorates are Planning and Environment, Corporate and Community, and Assets and Operations.…
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POLICE SHOOT AT CAR NEAR ELPHINSTONE
Police were forced to shoot at an SUV being driven at officers yesterday afternoon. Officers noticed the vehicle travelling at high speed along the Calder Freeway at Kyneton about 4pm and continued to track it until it stopped in Harmony Way, Elphinstone, to let out a female passenger. Police attempted to intercept the car but…
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Exploration shock – Residents protest gold drilling in the Wombat
Blackwood residents protested in the Wombat State Forest last week after they discovered mining company Currawong Resources had begun exploratory drilling for gold. Residents said they were distressed to become aware of the mining operations in an area that was recommended by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council to become part of the Wombat Lerderderg National…
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Now that’s a shed! Rail precinct steams ahead
Measuring a whopping 160 metres long by 15.5 metres wide, the freshly completed carriage stabling shed at Castlemaine Heritage Rail Precinct is one of the town’s largest buildings. “It’s a bl…. big shed,” VGR’s Castlemaine Heritage Rail Precinct caretaker Andrew Reynolds said on site on Friday. “It’s the biggest open shed in Castlemaine and it’s…