News
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Mount Players’ 12 Angry Men scoops awards
The Mount Players’ production of 12 Angry Men has won an extraordinary five Victorian Drama League awards at the league’s annual awards night in Melbourne. The production, staged in May, won major awards in four categories, which led to the ultimate accolade of Best Production for 2019! Awards included: Best Set Design – Alison Dudon…
-
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…
-
Rise, unite, resist
This year’s International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 saw 80 community members attend the Macedon Ranges Family Violence Network launch of its 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. The event was held at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute reserve in what was a strong show of support for respecting women…
-
Join Windarring for an end-of-year wing ding
Windarring disability services is holding an end-of-year ‘Wing Ding’ concert, plus a special performance of Haiku, an award-winning play by the Cathouse Players, in the hope of welcoming the community to get to know its participants. Windarring board member and Cathouse director Bette Sartore said it had been her dream for seven years to host…
-
Forest friends unite
Forty members of Wombat Forestcare made the trip down to Parliament House last Thursday to take part in the Nature For Life Rally. They joined with 45 environmental and community groups from across the state who attended the rally to call for urgent and bold action from the Andrews government to guarantee a secure future…
-
Dog ban for Mount Gisborne Reserve
Dogs will be banned from Mount Gisborne Reserve, beginning next year, in a bid to protect its native flora and fauna. The unanimous vote came as Macedon Ranges Shire councillors endorsed the Council Dog and Cat Order 2019 – Domestic Animals Act 1994. The order introduced requirements for dogs to be on-leash in public places,…
-
Gisborne’s heritage at risk
Some of Gisborne’s earliest heritage could be at risk in the latest plan to upgrade the Kilmore and Melbourne Roads intersection. The $12.5 million state government upgrade aims to improve traffic flow and deliver safer pedestrian crossing facilities but design may threaten to remove a historic bluestone bridge and significant trees at the town’s gateway.…
-
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…
-
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…