News

  • Folk and fun awaits!

    Folk and fun awaits!

    Town Folk Festival has dropped its second artist announcement and welcomes five more Australian acts to round out its 2026 lineup. Joining the already stacked bill are buzz-worthy Adelaide band Any Young Mechanic, Geelong’s vintage-folk newcomer Daisy Kilbourne, the hypnotic Gaia Scarf, scene-stealing Melbourne folk rocker Maggie Alley, and Castlemaine’s own new-wave pioneers Tiramisu Misterioso.…

  • Ex-mayors to go head to head

    Ex-mayors to go head to head

    Two of Macedon Ranges’ former mayors will go head to head for the seat of Macedon at November’s state election. Last week, Kate Kendall resigned from her mayoral duties and was announced the Liberal Party candidate for Macedon. Kendall’s resignation from her mayoral duties will be effective from this Friday (close of business), and she…

  • Kendall to contest Macedon seat

    Kendall to contest Macedon seat

    Macedon Ranges mayor Kate Kendall has been announced the Victorian Liberal candidate for the seat of Macedon at November’s state election. Kendall resigned from her mayoral duties last week (effective from this Friday), and has indicated she will continue to serve as a councillor. “Serving as mayor has been one of the greatest honours of…

  • Two-car crash on Black Forest Drive

    Two-car crash on Black Forest Drive

    Two drivers have been treated for injuries at the scene of a crash on Black Forest Drive, Macedon, that closed the road in both directions shortly after 2pm today. It is believed a 79-year-old female driver from Woodend exited the service station into the centre crossing and was involved in a collision with a north-bound…

  • Macedon Ranges mayor resigns, looks to state election

    Macedon Ranges mayor resigns, looks to state election

    Macedon Ranges Shire councillor Kate Kendall has resigned from her role as mayor to stand as a candidate for the seat of Macedon in the upcoming Victorian state election. Ms Kendall broke the news late this afternoon after informing the CEO of her decision, which will be effective close of business on Friday, July 24.…

  • Questions raised after sewer overflow

    Questions raised after sewer overflow

    Questions are being raised about the environmental impact of a sewer overflow in Kyneton after torrential rain overwhelmed part of the town’s sewerage network earlier this month. Local resident and river pollution expert David Tiller has called on Coliban Water to release evidence supporting its assurances that the spill posed a low risk to the…

  • Crossing fix soon for Woodend

    Crossing fix soon for Woodend

    Pedestrian safety improvements will begin this month where two school children were struck by vehicles during two separate incidents at Woodend in April. The incidents occurred at Romsey Road on April 21 and April 28 when children were walking home from school. Both required medical care and one was taken by road ambulance to hospital…

  • Calder potholes frustrate

    Calder potholes frustrate

    Drivers are voicing frustration over deteriorating road conditions on the Calder Freeway, where significant potholes have worsened following recent heavy rainfall. Sections of the freeway have had the left lane closed in both directions, with reduced speed limits and warning signs in place, but some commuters say no repair crews are on site. One local…

  • Climate conversations in Castlemaine

    Climate conversations in Castlemaine

    Women from across the Loddon Mallee are being invited to come together in Castlemaine later this month to discuss practical, community-led responses to climate change. The Women’s Climate Congress on Friday, July 24 will explore the challenges rural and regional communities face from increasingly frequent floods, droughts, bushfires, frosts and other extreme weather events, and…

  • TV signals still on the blink

    TV signals still on the blink

    The January 2026 bushfires in regional Victoria caused significant damage to broadcast infrastructure at two sites operated by BAI Communications, formerly Broadcast Australia, at Mount Alexander. The damage resulted in the loss of FM radio services and free-to-air television services to communities across the region including Castlemaine and other areas in central Victoria. Power systems…

  • Best Australian Cheese win

    Best Australian Cheese win

    Castlemaine artisan producer Long Paddock Cheese took out the title of Best Australian Cheese at England’s prestigious International Cheese and Dairy Awards last week. Adding to this prestigious win, the small central Victorian cheesemaker also took out second place in the same class. Following intense judging against leading cheesemakers from around the nation, Long Paddock…

  • Composters call for more time

    Composters call for more time

    The statewide rollout of a new four-bin system is creating a stir across Victoria, with many councils expressing concerns that the glass recycling system is unnecessary and costly. In Mount Alexander Shire, however, the issues with glass bins are secondary to the introduction of a FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bin system, as local composters…