News
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Gisborne’s changing face
Gisborne’s future will include apartment living and transit-oriented development in New Gisborne with a view to preventing urban sprawl. Last week Macedon Ranges Shire Council adopted the long-debated Gisborne Futures Structure Plan to shape the town’s next 30 years. The plan introduces a protected settlement boundary aimed to preserve rural landscapes and maintain rural breaks…
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New plans for Kyneton?
Car parking in Kyneton could be removed to make way for cycling lanes, and key commercial roads reduced to speeds of 30km/h. These are just some of the ideas explored in Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s draft Kyneton Urban Design Framework. The document is now open for public comment and has already raised some concern among…
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No confidence in executive
The Victorian Ambulance Union last week conducted a vote of no confidence in the Ambulance Victoria executive. The VAU conducted an SMS poll of its AV members and asked if they endorsed a request that the Minister for Ambulance Services take urgent action to appoint new management that will be able to build and maintain…
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‘Bureaucratic madness!’
Six years ago, Castlemaine resident Hilary Finch bought a small red-flowering gum to replace a dead tree on her nature strip. She lovingly tended the tree, watering its roots regularly during the hot summer months and ensuring its survival in dense soil. The beautiful native, while small, is thriving. The street in which Hilary lives…
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Local Landcare heroes celebrated
Founding member of Golden Point Landcare Group, Marie Jones, has been awarded the prestigious Joan Kirner Landcare Award. Marie was one of several local residents recognised for their contributions maintaining and restoring the natural environment at the 2023-2024 Victorian Landcare Awards at Marvel Stadium on July 18. The Joan Kirner Landcare Award honours a long-term…
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Costa in my back yard
ABC’s Gardening Australia program paid a visit to Castlemaine last Tuesday to meet a group of innovative composters. Program host Costa Georgiadis explored the gardens of ‘Yes In My Back Yard’ members Mikaela Beckley and Sarah Newsam. The film crew also followed the composters as they collected kitchen scraps from their neighbours. “It was very…
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Dice rolled on gambling policy
Legal advice has terminated plans for Macedon Ranges Shire Council to categorically oppose new electronic gaming machines at its owned and managed sites. MRSC’s stance on pokies applications formed part of its draft Gambling Harm and Prevention Policy, which has since undergone changes and been deferred. Legal advice highlighted concerns with having a predetermined position…
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Powercor seeks new apprentices
CitiPower and Powercor are searching for 30 new apprentices to join the state’s largest in-house lineworker team that plays a critical role delivering power. The annual apprenticeship program offers candidates a chance to become lineworkers, cable jointers, substation electricians or meter technicans. Four-year apprenticeship positions are available across regional and metropolitan areas, including Bendigo, Maryborough…
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Turning trash into treasure
Romsey residents now have a new way to recycle unwanted items and an alternative to buying new, thanks to funding from the state government’s $5.9 million Circular Economy Councils Fund. Romsey’s new ReSale Shop at the Romsey Resource Recovery Centre, one of 67 projects supported by the $5.9 million fund, was officially opened last Friday…
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Student’s close call
Emergency services were called to Castlemaine Secondary College on Friday morning when a young boy’s hand became lodged in wire fencing. It is believed the 12-year-old boy was playing sport on the school basketball courts, when he tripped and steadied himself using the wire fence, which became lodged in his hand. CFA members cut the…
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Drone technology soaring to new heights
As drones become a common sight in our skies, their impact on our local communities grows increasingly significant. From enhancing efficiency and accuracy of repeatable jobs to offering improvements in safety and accessibility, drones present both benefits and challenges. Castlemaine expert in drone engineering and RePL licence holder, Culum Revell, said he believed these unmanned…
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Your thoughts on CCTV?
Mount Alexander Shire Council is asking the community to provide input on the use of CCTV across the shire. Community feedback, in addition to the recently drafted Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in Public Places Policy, will be used to guide the council’s future use of CCTV systems. The council currently uses CCTV in a number…