News
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Restrictions remain for Lancefield
Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s bid to remove planning controls that have stymied Lancefield development has been rejected by the state government. Earlier this month, the council sought to remove the restrictive DPO24 that applies across about 150 acres of township land in three residential zones, impacting about 22 landowners. The planning tool intended to create…
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Thieves target botanic gardens
Thieves have stolen about 40 plants valued up to $2000 from the Kyneton Botanic Gardens over an 18-month period. Plants have been taken from three different areas of the gardens in several repeat incidents that have left local volunteers devastated. Friends of Kyneton Botanic Gardens secretary Helen Frost said members were “extremely disappointed and disheartened”…
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Little mouse carries big story of hope
A small mouse with a big heart is helping share a powerful story of courage, connection and recovery following the January bushfires in Harcourt and District. Harcourt Valley Mouse, a locally written and illustrated children’s picture book, will be officially launched as part of a special event at the Victorian Miniature Railway in Harcourt this…
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Kyneton grandmother gobsmacked by Tatts win
A Kyneton grandmother has started the week in a wonderful whirlwind after discovering her TattsLotto ticket in the weekend’s draw scored a life-changing $1.8 million prize. The Macedon Ranges resident held one of the 11 division one winning entries nationally on Saturday, and looks forward to a total prize of $1,818,181.82. When an official from…
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Sophie vaults into championships
Hard work has paid off for Gisborne gymnast Sophie Strano, with the teenager having just qualified for the Gymnastics Victoria State Team. The 16-year-old’s milestone comes after years of dedication, having first stepped onto the mats at Gisborne’s Jets Gymnastics as an energetic two-year-old. By age four, she had earned a spot in the pre-squad,…
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‘Race still on’ for Clarkefield
“Premature, insufficiently resolved, and not yet justified” is how Macedon Ranges Shire Council has described controversial plans to transform Clarkefield into a new township. The council has called for the development to undergo a full public hearing before an independent planning panel in its preliminary submission to the state government. The planning amendment in question,…
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Composting advocate hails rare opportunity
A leading Australian community composting advocate says Mount Alexander Shire has a rare opportunity to build on an already thriving grassroots movement rather than replacing it with a one-size-fits-all waste solution. Churchill Fellow and community composting researcher, Clytie Binder, visited Castlemaine last week to learn more about YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard), the volunteer-run…
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Death enters election race
Former Macedon Ranges Shire mayor Annette Death has been announced as Victorian Labor’s candidate for the seat of Macedon at November’s state election. The Riddells Creek resident, a Labor Party member for almost 20 years, will contest the seat following the retirement of incumbent MP Mary-Anne Thomas. Ms Death served as a Macedon Ranges Shire…
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Residents devastated as historic church listed for sale
Riddells Creek residents say they are devastated by the decision to sell the town’s historic St John’s Anglican Church, arguing the 100-year-old building is an irreplaceable part of the community’s heritage. The church, which closed last year amid declining congregation numbers, has been listed for sale by the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne with a price…
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Car ploughs into geese
Witnesses were horrified at the scene of a car ploughing into a flock of geese, killing and injuring many, at Malmsbury last Thursday evening. About five of the geese were killed instantly and two were left injured on the road. Witnesses say the driver of the car made no attempt to stop, slow down or…
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CFA loses council contract
Local fire brigades have lost their longstanding fire equipment maintenance contract with Macedon Ranges Shire Council, which provided a valuable source of income for their work. The council has instead awarded the tender to a private contractor, Bendigo-based Elliots Fire and Safety Services. For decades, qualified volunteer technicians from Macedon Ranges CFA brigades have serviced…
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Changing hearts and minds
Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary founder and director, Pam Ahern, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List, in recognition of her service to animals. The award recognises more than two decades of sustained, hands-on work rescuing farmed animals from cruelty, neglect and slaughter, and the sanctuary…