News
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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,…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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Bioenergy plant plan for Castlemaine
Hopes to build a Castlemaine bioenergy plant using waste product generated at Don KR, in a bid to drive down greenhouse gas emissions while generating clean power, have received a significant boost with the proposal collecting a national innovation award in recent days. Driving the vision for the past four years, the Mount Alexander Sustainability…
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Overhaul for Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant
Coliban Water’s board has approved a major redevelopment of the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant. The multimillion-dollar investment will more than double storage and increase irrigation capacity at the plant, as well as update treatment processes, so that only Class B water is used for off-site irrigation and tertiary treated water is released to the Campaspe…
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Castlemaine radio’s night of nights
MAINfm is rolling out the green carpet for its inaugural Rogies – like the Logies but for radio, it’s an event to celebrate the talented and dedicated volunteer presenters at Castlemaine’s own radio station, 94.9 MAINfm. Awards in various categories including The Chatterati Award for ‘Best Talk Show’, The Rex Watts Music Award for ‘Best…
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Tree trim too far
Powercor has apologised for powerline tree maintenance taken a step too far in a heritage area of Lancefield. Residents lodged complaints with the company following the annual maintenance works in Dunsford Street last week, which is home to magnificent aged horse chestnut trees. Resident Deb Dunn said she was devastated to see about 70 per…
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Film to fill a cultural void
Barfold will become the backdrop for a film that seeks to change the portrayal of Chinese-Australians on screen. Fire Rabbit is the simple story of two brothers foraging for food in the Australian bush but explores complex familial and cultural relationships, in a 1939 setting. “The importance of telling this story is that there’s quite…
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Significant signing for new hot rodding centre at Castlemaine
It was no ordinary, everyday lease that was signed on site at Castlemaine’s old Etty Street secondary college campus late last week. With a flourish of pens and several speeches, Workspace Australia Ltd and the Castlemaine Hot Rod Centre signed a lease with Mount Alexander Shire Council paving the way for development of the site…
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Brigades battle burn-offs
Fire brigades across the region have been kept busy bringing escaped fires under control over the past fortnight. In one incident last Friday morning, a contract slasher working to create a fire break sparked a grassfire at Baringhup when the equipment struck granite. Baringhup Fire Brigade captain Brendan McKnight said striking granite was almost 100…
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Class act: Granite Hills secures two trophies at Vic Wine Show
Granite Hills Winery is celebrating a double-trophy victory and nine-medal win at the Victorian Wine Show. The Baynton winery was awarded Best Riesling in the state for its 2018 ‘1971 Block’ Riesling and was also secured the title of Best Small Producer exhibitor. Owner and winemaker Llew Knight said the win was “reassuring that the…