News
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Reform ‘a step backwards’
Macedon Ranges has joined a chorus of local councils demanding answers on a major proposal to reintroduce single-member ward structures state-wide. The change would likely carve Macedon Ranges into nine council wards with individual representation, but the restructure call has been widely criticised as ‘a step backwards’. Macedon Ranges Council has called for choice over…
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Farm venture up for award
Kyneton’s Melissa Connors has been nominated for the Prime Super Agricultural Innovation Award for her initiative This Farm Needs a Farmer. The initiative has become the first point of call for people making a tree-change and pairs retired or semi-retired farmers with people new to working the land to pass on their knowledge as mentors.…
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A hill house concert hall
A house on a hill at chilly East Trentham has by chance become an inviting winter concert hall. Built 13 years ago, although not with such a use in mind, long-time local Susie Kilby soon realised her large home – with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the valley below – lent itself perfectly to a concert…
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New musical work for children
The Castlemaine Chamber Players are thrilled to be among three local groups to recently receive funds via Regional Arts Victoria. The group was successful in attaining grant support for the composition of a new musical work that combines the local Castlemaine Chamber Players string quartet and the Castlemaine Children’s Choir and will be composed and…
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Eyes in the sky
Victoria Police members will soon have access to drone technology with the establishment of the first ever Drone Unit. Senior Sergeant Peter Carey of Castlemaine Police said he had not yet been briefed as yet to where the drones would be located regionally, but Bendigo would be a likely location. “This will give us the…
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Baringhup solar hearings begin
State planning panel hearings for the proposed 75 megawatt Baringhup solar farm began yesterday and will continue today at Maldon’s Bill Woodfull Reserve. Planning Panels Victoria is conducting the series of three hearing dates with the final hearing date next Tuesday, July 23 at Baringhup. The first two days including today are for Res Australia…
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Steps forward for Hanging Rock
Hanging Rock’s East Paddock will be purchased by the state government from Macedon Ranges Council via a $3 million commitment over the next three years to implement the Hanging Rock Strategic Plan. The purchase will prevent any future plans to commercially develop the site, as was controversially proposed by a former council that sought private…
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River warning lifted
A health warning applied to the Campaspe River between Kyneton and Lake Eppalock since early June was lifted on Sunday afternoon by the Environment Protection Authority. The warning had been issued after Coliban Water admitted it had been forced to make daily unauthorised releases of water unfit for stock and domestic use to the river…
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Castlemaine unwrapped!
A special tour taking place in Castlemaine next week will show participants where and how they can shop locally to keep single-use plastic out of their shopping baskets and out of the environment. Castlemaine Unwrapped – A Tour happens next Monday July 22 and follows the first such tour that was well received by local…
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TOWERS CALL – Council in bid for innovative solutions
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has won support after doubling down on its call for stronger governance on the placement of telecommunication towers in the natural landscape. Taking its fight to the Australian Local Government Association for the second time, the council saw a small victory in the decision to lobby for increased federal funding for…
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Big-hearted gesture
Homeless people and those doing it tough are being offered a warming soup and roll and a warm dry place to escape the bitter winter cold at a new soup kitchen in Castlemaine. Launched last week by members of St Mary’s Parish with the support of other churches and the wider community, the soup kitchen…
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Courage on climate workshop
Locals worried about climate change and its impacts are being encouraged not to despair and invited to join with like-minded others to help address the global issue. The Castlemaine-based group Central Vic Climate Action is gearing up to coordinate a range of community actions including this month’s upcoming public workshop in Castlemaine. Group members like…