News
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New ideas wanted for old school site
The Old Kyneton Primary School is now ready for a new operator to breathe new life into the refurbished historic site. Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks last week announced the opening of an expressions of interest process for parties with a compelling vision and suitable experience. “The Old Kyneton Primary School is a special…
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Car ignites on Calder
A driver and passenger were lucky to escape their vehicle after it caught fire on the Calder Freeway at Taradale on Sunday. The driver of the 2020 BMW saw smoke and pulled over on the roadside where both driver and passenger evacuated the car before fire took hold of the vehicle. Both occupants escaped the…
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Gisborne smash and grab
Thieves broke into two Gisborne retail stores and stole about $14,000 in goods last Tuesday. Two male offenders were captured on CCTV footage breaking into Gisborne Phone and Computer Repair, at 16A Brantome Street, about 3.40am. The offenders stole about $4000 in stock including phone and tablet cases, chargers, sim cards, cables and earphones. Offenders…
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Kyneton homes without power after car crash
A concrete power pole has been destroyed after two cars collided in Kyneton this morning. Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene at the intersection of Mollison and Beauchamp Streets at 9.40am and victims were treated for non-life threatening injuries. The intersection, located in the centre of Kyneton, was blocked to traffic and…
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Hotel site to housing?
Could big changes soon be on the cards for the old Romsey Hotel site? A planning application was lodged last Monday for a 10-lot subdivision at the 90-94 Main Street address. The property also fronts 1 William Street and 94 Barry Street. Macedon Ranges Shire Council confirmed receipt of the application, which is currently being…
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Car ploughs through living room, Kyneton woman escapes death
A woman has escaped death in her Kyneton home after standing up from her armchair moments before a car ploughed through her living room at 5pm last Friday. A 26-year-old male from Kyneton was driving down Sturt Street and failed to give way at an intersection when he crashed into a ute being driven by…
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Macedon Ranges councillor dies
Macedon Ranges Shire councillor, Christine Walker, died late last week. Fellow South Ward councillor and mayor, Dom Bonanno, said today the news had left him and many others in shock. “I have spoken with Christine’s husband Andrew and on behalf of the council, offered our deepest collective condolences and any support the family may need…
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Contractors sought
An expansion of the Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct in New Gisborne is now out to tender, with designs progressed and contractors invited to submit their proposals. The $17 million second stage will double the current indoor and outdoor offerings across the 15-hectare site either side of Barringo Road and north of Hamilton Road. On the…
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Pool’s future murky
Reports of a ‘seizure’ of Castlemaine’s only indoor swimming pool by the Sheriff’s Office Victoria, filtered through to the Express last Thursday afternoon. Upon investigation, we found the doors of Castlemaine Fitness Centre closed and padlocked. The news of the closure certainly made a splash with both swimmers and gym-goers alike, who, having donned their…
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Policy to target AI use?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries and Macedon Ranges Shire Council will soon consider a new purposed policy to catch up. An Artificial Intelligence Policy is intended to “set clear direction for the safe, effective and innovative use of AI, support compliance with relevant legislation and guidelines, and build community trust”. Last week, Cr Kate…
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SES responds to wild weather
Castlemaine State Emergency Service volunteers were kept busy over the weekend, responding to 34 requests for assistance across Mount Alexander Shire between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. The most heavily impacted area was Harcourt, where high winds brought down trees and caused damage to roads and properties. While the majority of calls related to fallen…
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Anzac events in a spin
“Macedon Ranges council bureaucrats should hang their heads in shame” for decisions putting two local Anzac Day services in a spin, Bill Bates told the Express. The Malmsbury Anzac Day coodinator said he was “still shell-shocked” the council had refused $2500 for traffic management funding essential to run the town’s service. Last week, both Malmsbury…