News
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Park plan push
Momentum is building for a Gisborne community park on the spot where development could have taken hold five years ago if it was not for a strong community campaign. Macedon Ranges Shire Council has endorsed the Wyralla Reserve Landscape Plan to develop the reserve on the corner of Wyralla Crescent and Kurung Court. The estimated…
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Tigers kick off year with upgrade
Kyneton Football Netball Club will kick start the year with a $13,636 upgrade to its pavilion kitchen. Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters announced a Stronger Communities grant for the refurbishment at the Kyneton Showgrounds last week. “The refurbishment will not only benefit KFNC in terms of revenue and service to members and the public,…
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Local cactus warriors honoured
The Tarrangower Cactus Control warriors have been honoured with a national Froggatt Award. The accolade is awarded to those who have made a major contribution to protecting Australia’s native plants and animals, ecosystems and people, from dangerous new invasive species. The passionate local group have lured university students, local scouts and even Work for the…
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From Paris to Newham
This is the story of a reunion…the kind of reunion people who sold something years ago only to find it is worth a small fortune today will well and truly relate to. It’s also the story of a grand old fire truck with a secret life… It all began locally around Woodend way when well-known…
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Plastics war could step up
A move to phase out single-use plastics in Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s operations could extend to some general community events. The council will consider banning plastic cutlery and straws, cling wrap, balloons and all other single-use plastics at council sponsored or supported events in the Macedon Ranges. Spearheading the movement, Councillor Natasha Gayfer said stepping…
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New pooch park proving popular
Since it opened last month, Guildford’s new off-lead dog park has been proving very popular among dog owners and their four-legged friends who have been travelling from near and far to enjoy what it has to offer. This includes just over four acres of space to stretch, run, sniff and roll – all off-lead –…
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Born by the river
Kyneton local Nancy Mortimer welcomed a new grandchild before Christmas who was in quite a hurry to arrive. Nancy’s son Anthony and daughter-in-law Rachael live more than 100 kilometres away in St Andrews but had their first child, Xavier, delivered at Castlemaine Hospital and wanted to return there for their second. When Rachael’s labour began…
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Conserving a local treasure
Locals will get a chance to help conserve one of the nation’s most remarkable endangered creatures that lives in Castlemaine’s Kalimna Reserve. Two upcoming public monitoring walks to assess numbers of eltham copper butterfly come as local scientists call for comprehensive surveys of the remarkable and nationally endangered creature. Members of the Concerned Ecologists and…
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Romsey site sought for new enterprise
Once ‘hidden’ local artisans can soon showcase their wares with the emergence of a new social enterprise in Romsey. The local Neighbourhood House is seeking a shopfront to help people sell and promote handcrafted goods as well as support a range of community initiatives including tearooms, a fix-it shop and community garden. Romsey Neighbourhood House…
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Light design not so bright
A Gisborne resident is fuming over new street lights installed in her estate that no longer match the heritage-look lamp poles beneath them. Macedon Ranges Shire Council has replaced the light fittings on top of the poles in Jacksons Creek Estate with energy efficient LED lights, but resident Anne Moore says they look ridiculous. “This…
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Billboard blow – VCAT overturns council refusal
Castlemaine residents who opposed plans to erect a large advertising billboard in Johnstone Street have been left in shock after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal overturned Mount Alexander Shire Council’s decision to refuse a permit for the sign. Council received 28 formal written objections to the proposed sign at 42-44 Johnstone Street, which is…
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Residents gutted
A council plan to dig up heritage bluestone guttering in one of Kyneton’s oldest streets has residents threatening to form a human barricade to prevent the works. Edgecombe Street residents Dale and Helen Gillis say they appreciate the need for safety improvements to the school precinct along the west side of their street, but argue…