Macedon Ranges Shire Council
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Australia Day in spotlight
Macedon Ranges Shire Council will no longer host traditional Australia Day events on January 26, beginning next year. Last week councillors voted 5-2 to move the date of its annual awards and citizenship ceremony to January 25 following passionate debate. The vote also saw council’s Australia Day Awards renamed ‘Community Awards’ and increased the Australia…
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Youth shine in awards
A big-hearted cyclist, young art entrepreneur and LGBTIQA+ community advocate are among Macedon Ranges Youth Award winners this year. Celebrated for their outstanding achievements at a Kyneton Town Hall ceremony last week, this year’s winners were: Toby Birkett (Willpower), Casey Carew and Akira Zutelia (Skilling It), Alexander O’Hanlon (Good Deeds), Charlie Jackman (Pure Imagination), Lachlan…
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Call to scrap plan
A group of Romsey residents has urged Macedon Ranges Shire Council to scrap its draft Romsey Structure Plan and “go back to the drawing board”. Formally released for consultation last week, the draft plan aims to manage growth and development in Romsey to 2050. But action group Better Futures Romsey is adamant it doesn’t go…
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Perception shift
Macedon Ranges macrame artist Kasia Dudkiewicz will be the next creative to feature as part of the Phee Broadway Theatre foyer exhibition program. Kasia is a Polish girl who now calls Australia home. The local artist said she grew up spending time in the studio of her late aunt who was a talented painter and…
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Pilot program already making an impact
In response to a growing need for mental health support to extend to the younger years, Macedon Ranges Shire Council is leading a first-of-its-kind primary school mental health program. After months of community consultation, the co-designed Branch Out program is introducing parents and teachers to clinicians from Tuning in to Kids who will teach them…
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Game on for regional funds
Local shires expecting an economic boost from the 2026 Commonwealth Games now look to the Victorian Government’s $2 billion spending package for the regions. Premier Daniel Andrews announced last week the state would withdraw from its regional Games hosting duties, citing soaring cost estimations of at least $6 billion. Macedon Ranges and Hepburn councils expressed…
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Vegetation over views
Macedon Ranges Council has refused a divisive proposal to remove vegetation at the Mount Macedon Regional Park. Parks Victoria’s application aimed to reinstate the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross viewscape, which has been lost due to regrowth and lack of maintenance. The proposal triggered passionate debate, with 62 objections, many relating to loss of significant vegetation,…
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Woodend centre to stay open
Woodend Customer Service Centre will remain open with reduced operating hours after facing potential closure. Macedon Ranges Shire Council voted in favour of the move last week following community feedback in favour of keeping the Woodend service. The facility’s viability was in question when it recorded low visitation alongside other operational challenges such as cost…
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Housing policy adopted
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has adopted a new policy to inform future decisions around affordable housing. Council’s Affordable Housing Policy directions focus on three key roles in relation to the issue: advocacy, decision making and facilitating/investing. The policy was adopted last week following community consultation. Councillor Jennifer Anderson said local government was limited in what…
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Riddell study gets moving
The Riddells Creek Movement Network Study is taking shape with a draft recommendation report complete and aims for the final study to be presented by the end of the 2023/24 financial year. Future infrastructure projects identified include pedestrian facility upgrades, cycling facility upgrades, intersection upgrades, speed limit reduction, and streetscape and amenity improvements. Pedestrian safety…
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Scintillate the senses
A renowned Indigenous chef is coming to Kyneton Town Hall in July in celebration of NAIDOC Week 2023, featuring a live cooking demonstration to scintillate the senses. Mark Olive, aka ‘The Black Olive’, has been a chef for more than 30 years and has featured in his own television series The Outback Cafe, on SBS…
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Gisborne stirs a cuppa
Four cafes in Gisborne threw their support behind World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with Stir a Cuppa events last week. The Jolly Miller, 3 Little Pigs, Kaffeine Bar and Gisborne Bakery and Café backed the cause, encouraging people to meet or accompany the elder in their life – relative, neighbour, colleague or friend – for…