Harcourt
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Brigades battle burn-offs
Fire brigades across the region have been kept busy bringing escaped fires under control over the past fortnight. In one incident last Friday morning, a contract slasher working to create a fire break sparked a grassfire at Baringhup when the equipment struck granite. Baringhup Fire Brigade captain Brendan McKnight said striking granite was almost 100…
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Here’s cheers Harcourt – New venture to showcase regional produce
It was a champagne, cider and canapés event as the new Harcourt Produce and General Store opened on Friday. “Employment, economic development and collaboration,” said owner and chef Annette Larsen Rae when asked about the vision she had for the new venture that will showcase regional produce and wine to visitors. “Everybody has been backing…
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On track to tackle plastic waste
Local tourism railways have played a key role in the development of innovative recycled plastic sleepers that may ultimately help solve the nation’s wider recycling crisis. Castlemaine’s Victorian Goldfields Railway and the Victorian Miniature Railway at Harcourt have both been involved in trialing or using the innovative railway sleepers made in Mildura by Integrated Recycling…
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This ole house …
For many restoring a dilapidated house solo on a budget of practically nothing could be a headache. But for Castlemaine’s Cr Max Lesser it’s become a creative challenge and one he’s relishing since taking on the job to convert a degraded house at Harcourt’s Victoria Road entryway into something to catch the public eye. “I…
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Locals join fire fight
Local firies joined the fight at Bunyip State Park and Gippsland firegrounds last week. A Macedon Ranges strike team with firefighters from across the district was in force, as well as crews from Harcourt and Campbells Creek and CFA members from Castlemaine and Newstead. The strike team comprised members from the Coliban and Mountain brigade…
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A way of life under threat
A multi-pronged approach is needed to help combat the serious threat posed by fruit fly, advocates say. An action plan to combat the destructive insect pest will be launched at Harcourt’s new twilight market this Saturday. Harcourt Valley Landcare earlier received $5000 from the state government to develop a fruit fly action plan and deliver…
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This project was picked!
A project engaging local teenagers to help build Australia’s biggest miniature railway at Harcourt has won a $198,000 boost, emerging as one of the state’s Pick My Project winners. The $198,000 sum will soon to be used to build a replica of the historic Maryborough railway station – complete with six platforms – as part…
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The splash on our pool contracts
A new $1,056,455 council contract will see Bendigo Regional YMCA Youth Services manage outdoor pools in Castlemaine, Harcourt and Maldon over the next three years. Mount Alexander Shire councillors unanimously voted in favour of awarding the pool management contract to Bendigo Regional YMCA Youth Services at the ordinary meeting of council last Tuesday night. But…
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Preschool under pressure
Pressure to find a new home is building for Harcourt preschool with the lifestyle location in the grip of a baby boom and the preschool told it must vacate its current premises in two years. The preschool has operated from its current site on Uniting Church land for almost 70 years and, responding to growth,…