Politics
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'Patronising and abstract'
Macedon Ranges locals are calling for clearer messaging from the federal government’s education campaign aimed to teach consent to school students. The government last week pulled two of its most controversial videos that used a milkshake and a shark analogy to discuss the concept of consent, which had been criticised as being patronising and abstract.…
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Council staff critical
The wounds of last year’s organisational restructure of Macedon Ranges Shire Council continued to be felt by employees months later, a staff survey conducted late last year has revealed. In responses viewed by the Midland Express, employees expressed feelings of being let down, a clear level of distrust, and lingering dissatisfaction with communication from senior…
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Mary-Anne Thomas joins Cabinet
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas was yesterday sworn in as a Victorian Cabinet minister. The local MP has been handed the portfolios of regional development and agriculture. Ms Thomas said having grown up in regional Victoria, and representing the Macedon electorate for more than six years, she was excited about the opportunities to work for country…
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SITE SALE STALEMATE: Value of Hanging Rock’s East Paddock in dispute
Question hangs over the true value of Hanging Rock’s East Paddock as Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the state government draw lines in the sand over its sale. The council rejected an offer made by the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning in May, which it described as “significantly below” council’s own valuation of…
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SOCIAL HOUSING ROLLOUT
Macedon Ranges Shire has been identified as one of 21 priority areas across Victoria in a plan to increase the state’s social housing supply. The Victorian Budget 2020/21 will deliver $5.3 billion to build more than 12,000 homes throughout metro and regional Victoria, and a minimum investment of $30 million locally will see new homes…
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ELECTION ON A KNIFE-EDGE
The local government election rested on a knife-edge in two of Macedon Ranges’ three wards, with first preference numbers too close to call and results determined by preferences. Annette Death swept to victory early in East Ward heralding a strong desire for Riddell representation, the first of just two candidates to achieve the required quota…
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Scrutinised and surveyed
The 2020 Macedon Ranges local government election has attracted a high level of attention from a range of interested stakeholders. Candidates have been scrutinised, surveyed and assessed by community organisations including the Macedon Ranges Residents Association and ‘A Forum for Democractic Renewal’, and have been invited to participate in video-recorded interviews by ‘Macedon Ranges Voice’…
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Gisborne planning an election focal point
Proper planning for Gisborne’s future has emerged as one of the biggest election issues for Macedon Ranges’ south as ratepayers look to the polls. Attesting strong community interest is ratepayer Dean Markham’s fast-growing campaign to call for change to the council’s draft 30-year Gisborne Futures Plan. He argues the current draft leaves the town wide…
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Council candidates revealed
Mount Alexander will see uncontested elections for two wards in October’s local government elections while Macedon Ranges has a strong field of prospective councillors across all wards. There will be no public vote for Mount Alexander’s Coliban and Calder Wards as returning councillors Christine Henderson and Anthony Cordy have secured single vacancies, respectively, unchallenged. A…
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Fund our future
Wielding yellow blooms and dancing to the tune of ’70s disco hit Born To Be Alive, local students were hard to ignore as they gathered on the steps of Castlemaine’s Market Building on Friday to send clear a message to the PM. The local teens joined with supporters to participate in what was a wider…
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FUTURE GISBORNE? Call to reshape 30-year plan
Gisborne ratepayer Dean Markham is leading a fight against a 30-year plan for his town that he fears foreshadows a ‘Sunbury future’. He is challenging Macedon Ranges Council’s draft Gisborne Futures documents that plan for a population boom and map impending development. Determined to keep the town regional, Mr Markham has launched his own campaign…