News
-
Driver rescued from gully
A man had to be rescued from a gully after his vehicle crashed at Muckleford last Thursday afternoon. Paramedics were called to the scene of the single-vehicle collision about 2.30pm. A short time later SES Castlemaine were called to assist ambulance crews at the incident on Sawmill Road, where the vehicle had left the road…
-
That leaf is a vegetable
Many Australians fall short of meeting health guidelines and eating the recommended five vegetable servings per day, however microgreens could help us reach that goal effortlessly. This tiny green has been adopted by high-end restaurants around the world for decades as a garnish to make expensive meals appear fancy. Picked one to three weeks after…
-
Who ya gonna call to save the ghost fish?
A farm dam in Faraday is playing a leading role in the restoration of a critically endangered fish considered a canary in the climate change coal mine. The flat-headed galaxis is a small-bodied silver fish that was once prevalent across the southern Murray Darling Basin. Climate change and river regulation has decimated their population over…
-
Road repairs under way
Rehabilitation works on a 3668 metre section of the Kilmore-Lancefield Road at Lancefield are expected to start early this month and take about 12 weeks to complete, weather permitting. Transport Victoria is undertaking the works to rebuild a section of road between Melbourne-Lancefield Road and Grahams Road to provide a stronger, smoother surface. During works…
-
Council reimagines the economy
Mount Alexander Shire Council is at the forefront of changing the way we look at the economy by using the ‘wellbeing economy’ ethos as the basis for the council’s Economic Development Strategy. Late last year, the council hosted a screening of ground-breaking documentary, Purpose, to help explain the wellbeing economy model to the community. The…
-
An accident waiting to happen?
As the weather heats up, so too does public outrage at the parking situation at the ‘Res in Chewton (Expedition Pass Reservoir). The issue of limited parking at the popular swimming spot has been occurring for years, as visitors and residents keen for a dip, park haphazardly on the narrow roadside curb on the sharp…
-
Urgent traffic solutions sought
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is calling on Department of Transport for urgent traffic solutions for Woodend’s notorious Urquhart/High Street intersection. Users of the intersection contend with main street congestion, a confusing layout with several turning points and high volumes of traffic accessing service hot spots including the Coles supermarket and train station. More than four…
-
Program forced to relocate
The Castlemaine Secondary College Flexible Learning Options program has been relocated from the Etty Street Campus to the mainstream campus at Blakeley Road, in preparation for 2025. Principal Justin Hird said that after years of pursuing additional funding for the program, the college had no option but to relocate the program. “At this stage, we…
-
Council seeks input on 2025/2026 budget
Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting residents to have their say on the council’s 2025/2026 budget. The submission process is now open for community members and organisations to submit a proposal for projects or funding considerations in the new financial year. This is the opportunity to have your say on what you would like to…
-
Glimpse at plant’s future
The Castlemaine community had an opportunity to have its say on plans to upgrade the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant at two public drop-in sessions this month. Feedback from the public acknowledged the need to upgrade the plant to meet the area’s growing population, while ensuring improved wastewater treatment that will continue to benefit Campbells Creek’s…
-
Theme set for dawn service
Planning is under way for the 2025 Mount Macedon Anzac Day Dawn Service, with the theme for next year’s event unveiled by the volunteer organising committee. The theme for the 2025 event will be ‘The Unseen Wounds of Conflict’, exploring the many impacts that war has on those who serve, from the physical injuries to…
-
Highlighting rich heritage
It’s been a roller coaster year for the Castlemaine State Festival, which is now preparing for its triumphant return in 2026 and its 50th anniversary celebrations. Following heavy losses from the 2023 festival, Australia’s longest-running regional multi-arts festival was forced into voluntary administration in March 2024. A few months later, the committee announced it had…