Macedon Ranges Shire Council

  • Restoration works begin

    Restoration works begin

    Kyneton Museum is currently closed for restoration works. The former Bank of New South Wales building in Piper Street was built in 1856. Restoration is being undertaken on the roof of the building in line with heritage specifications, as well as internal floor maintenance. During the closure period, museum staff will review and care for…

  • ‘Urban jungle’ rejected

    ‘Urban jungle’ rejected

    Amy Hume Riddells Creek has been given reprieve from controversial development plans that could double the town’s population. Last week, Macedon Ranges Shire councillors unanimously rejected progression of the Amess Road Precinct Structure Plan in its current form. The move went against MRSC planning officer advice but heeded the overwhelming community catch-cry that “the town’s…

  • Roadworks prove costly

    Roadworks prove costly

    Angela CrawfordA Kyneton business owner has slammed roadworks under way on Jennings Street, which have already cost him thousands of dollars. The works require the street to be closed from Mollison Street for six to eight weeks as Easter approaches and supermarket renovations impact the Woolworths carpark. John Silva, owner of Liquor Legends fronting the…

  • Lifestyle village rejected

    Lifestyle village rejected

    Amy HumeMacedon Ranges Shire Council has rejected a large-scale residential lifestyle village planned for Kyneton but the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal will have the final say. Last week councillors weighed up local demand for seniors’ affordable housing against the appropriateness of the Edgecombe Road site. VivaLife’s proposal would develop 12 hectares of rural living…

  • Gisborne plan ‘just not on’

    Gisborne plan ‘just not on’

    An amended development plan for Gisborne’s Ross Watt Road has failed to gain the support of Macedon Ranges Shire Council. 
Decision on the hotly contested large-scale development will fall to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal later this month. 
Speaking to the council’s position last week, Cr Anne Moore said the plan as presented was…

  • Rare sighting of live brushtailed phascogale captured in Kyneton

    Rare sighting of live brushtailed phascogale captured in Kyneton

    The unusual observation of a live brushtailed phascogale in Kyneton was captured on day one of nest box monitoring across the Macedon Ranges last week. Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s annual program typically records animal scats and vacant nests, with phascogale activity a strong interest. Biodiversity projects officer Tanya Loos said phascogales were a vulnerable species…

  • Queer Art Prize decided

    Queer Art Prize decided

    The celebration of the That’s So Gay Queer Art Prize on Sunday at The Old Auction House in Kyneton was full of laughter, great music and friends. It was a close call but the judges managed to decide the winner of the inaugural queer art prize as Christos Linou for A Stich in Queer Time.…

  • Flooding frustration

    Flooding frustration

    Eight years of flooded roadways and lagging action to remedy poor drainage has taken a toll for Martin Eden. The owner of Kyneton’s Eden Lodge equine stabling and swimming complex has had to pause operations many times over the years following heavy rainfall. His property is located at the corner of Beauchamp Street and Campaspe…

  • Respite decision ahead for carers group

    Respite decision ahead for carers group

    Amy Hume The future of a proposed respite day care centre for dementia patients in Macedon Ranges will be determined next week. MacGregors Farm proposes short-term, day respite care for up to 15 early-stage dementia patients living at home. It’s a project that has been years in the making for Woodend Lifestyle Carers Group, which…

  • Resurgence of ‘wild swimming’

    Resurgence of ‘wild swimming’

    The Campaspe River in Kyneton is the place to be for “wild swimming” this summer, according to local residents. Kyneton local Dave Allen said the town had a long history of people swimming in the river and he was pleased to see its resurgence. “There is nothing more wonderful than seeing a bunch of kids…

  • Family forced to put funeral on hold

    Family forced to put funeral on hold

    A Carlsruhe family was left devastated over Christmas after having to put a funeral on hold for almost three weeks. Garry Birrell died on Christmas Eve and had reserved a pre-paid plot in the Carlsruhe Cemetery next to his mother’s grave but his family was alerted on Christmas Day that burials in existing pre-paid plots…

  • Rubbish mars the marshland

    Rubbish mars the marshland

    Angela Crawford A New Gisborne resident has raised the alarm over a large amount of debris and rubbish polluting the Gisborne Marshlands. The resident said he suspected the debris had been blown into the marshlands from a nearby housing construction site during recent strong winds. “The last big wind saw large amounts of broken polystyrene…