News
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Cash windfall boosts budget
Public submissions and an unexpected cash windfall of $465,000 in federal government grants has changed the shape of Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s 2018/19 Budget Report. Council adopted the budget, Strategic Resource Plan and Council Plan at its ordinary meeting last Wednesday with minor changes including distribution of additional government funds. Projects to benefit from the…
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Brigade calls on community
Langley-Barfold Fire Brigade volunteers are appealing for community assistance to replace their stolen support vehicle. The Ford Ranger was found torched near Lake Eppalock in April and now the brigade is faced with the challenge of replacing the vehicle and having it fully functional before the next fire season. Brigade captain Ian Lonsdale said the…
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Comparing our crime stats
Mount Alexander Shire has a consistently higher crime rate per head of population than its Macedon Ranges Shire neighbour, the latest Crime Statistics Agency data indicates. The new data shows the offending rate in Mount Alexander was 5632.3 per 100,000 of the population over the 12 months to the end of March this year with…
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When less is more
In a world with a population forecast to hit 8.5 billion in just 12 years, the need to find more effective means of housing people is becoming ever more urgent, Castlemaine’s Anitra Nelson says. As associate professor with the Centre for Urban Planning at RMIT, identifying new and more efficient ways of housing people is…
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The Wiglesworth waste files
Castlemaine’s Bill Wiglesworth is certainly not the only person calling for a container recycling desposit scheme in the state of Victoria. But he may be the only man in the municipality to take it upon himself to clean up a 2.2km stretch of local highway – solo – and then methodically record every item of…
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Local organics co-op: an Aussie first
An Australian first in organic farming is blossoming at Harcourt with the formation of a unique local mixed organic farming co-operative. Mount Alexander Fruit Gardens is a driving force behind the formation of the Harcourt Organic Farming Alliance – a new organic farming co-operative with five founding members. Besides Mount Alexander Fruit Gardens these include…
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Out of fuel
Woodend residents have won the battle against a commercial development at the southern gateway to their town. Last week the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal rejected controversial plans for a two-storey building comprising a service station, 23-seat convenience restaurant and illuminated signage at 59 High Street. The ruling determined “a service station on this site…
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Service and advocacy
She was one of the first women elected to Kyneton Shire Council and she is now putting a new stamp on history as Kyneton’s latest recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Yesterday that honour went to Ronda Walker for her service to the community and advocacy for women. The former school…
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A country born champion
Trentham’s Christian Zahra has been a life-long advocate for improving opportunities for regional Victorians and indigenous Australians. The former Member for McMillan (1998-2004) has been named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours for his significant service to rural and regional development, to the advancement of indigenous welfare,…
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Mann gets it done
Known to many as 3AW’s ‘Mann About Town’, Mount Macedon local David Mann has been named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours for his service to the community through charitable organisations, to business, and to the promotions and marketing sector. Mr Mann is affectionately known as “the…
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Fight refuelled – Petrol station plans resurface with bid for restaurant
*Published: Midland Express, September 4, 2017 Controversial plans have reemerged for a service station at the southern gateway to Woodend – this time with a 23-seat convenience restaurant in tow. Reminiscent of 2015 plans, the design incorporates illuminated signage and four double-sided petrol bowsers with canopy, but also includes a double-storey shopfront and what could…
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Petrol plans doused
*Published: Midland Express, October 10, 2017 Brakes have been put on divisive plans for a petrol station and 23-seat convenience restaurant at the southern gateway to Woodend. Council planners have now red flagged the proposal, taking heed from a similar plan for the High Street site that lost at VCAT in 2015 with strong community…