News
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From steam to satellites
Steam trains once defined the Victorian Goldfields Railway, carrying miners and goods across central Victoria. Today, those same tracks are playing host to something very different: a testing ground for the future of safe and reliable navigation. Space and spatial experts at social enterprise, FrontierSI, have launched Australia’s first Positioning, Navigation and Timing Labs, a…
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Push for dine-in dogs
Should dogs be allowed in Australian cafes and restaurants? Riddells Creek resident, Kristy Gadsby, thinks it’s a move that could boost business and foster bonds with man’s best friend. She has launched a petition seeking change to legislation that currently restricts them to outdoor dining areas only, unless they are a service dog. “I went…
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Riddell to double in size
A controversial development set to double the size of Riddells Creek has been approved by Victorian Government powers against local council and community wishes. The Amess Road development will create 1360 homes for 3808 new residents on 131.8 hectares, despite substantial push-back from Macedon Ranges Shire Council and residents. Last week, Mayor Dom Bonanno said…
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Reserve plan funded in good time
It didn’t make the budget but now Macedon Ranges Shire Council has found unspent funds for a Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve master plan. Last week, councillors agreed to allocate leftover Community Funding Scheme funds of $37,779.27 to the master plan project. The current plan for the reserve is more than 16 years old and no…
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Tighter leash on free dog walking
A group of dog owners are barking back at a proposal to shorten the off-leash Campaspe River Walk Track. Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s review of ‘Dog off-leash and prohibited areas for dogs and cats’ proposes to shorten the track, to stop off-leash dog walking from the Piper Street Bridge to Jennings Street. Kyneton resident Julius…
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Santa’s helpers fashion new bells
Billmans Foundry in Castlemaine has teamed up with a number of talented local tradespeople to craft a set of five new Christmas bells for the former Apex Club of Castlemaine’s annual Santa Run. The beloved event is a longstanding tradition in Mount Alexander Shire and celebrates its 88th anniversary on Christmas Day 2025. Former Apex…
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Gisborne’s crime sees Telstra exit
The Telstra branch in Gisborne has permanently closed down after a spate of crime hit its store, meaning the town’s residents will have to travel to Metropolitan areas to receive in-store service. The closest branches are located in Sunbury and Melton. Telstra’s regional general manager, Steve Tinker, told the Express crime was one of many…
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Riddells Creek to double in size
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has questioned the Victorian Government’s approval of an Amess Road development, to double the size of Riddells Creek, with little change. The proposal will develop 131.8 hectares to create about 1360 homes for 3808 new residents, but both local residents and the council were united on wanting better outcomes. “This decision…
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Awards to celebrate business
Mount Alexander Shire Council is proud to launch the 2025 Mount Alexander Business Awards with nominations opening today! The awards spotlight innovation, resilience and impact across our local economy. In alignment with council’s Economic Development Strategy, the awards feature refreshed categories that reflect six foundational goals, each designed to shape a thriving, inclusive and sustainable…
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Underground dance-off electric!
Hot Moves No Pressure is an invite-only, underground-style dance battle, where each performer can invite one guest only, making it the hottest ticket in town! The energy at Boomtown Winery last Saturday night for the Castlemaine dance-off was electric! (In fact, the moves were so hot that the power blew halfway through the performances…) A…
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Drainage problems stall street works
Romsey’s Stawell Street upgrade planned for completion in June has hit a snag and is now expected to continue into September. Works began on May 12 for reconstruction of the 130m sealed road section between Main Street and Pohlman Street, footpath kerb and channel, raised safety platform, Pohlman/Stawell Street intersection upgrades, and drainage improvements. Macedon…
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Wildlife concern over tree clearing
Macedon and Mount Macedon Landcare has flagged concern over mechanical mulching of native forest at Mount Macedon in place of a planned burn. MMML president Kate Lawrence said the five-hectare site was home to native wildlife and the move “made no sense”. “It is just devastating to walk around this area that was a native…