Macedon Ranges Shire Council
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‘Satellite city’ approved
It’s been dubbed a “reincarnation” of a past failure, now “a satellite city”, but a revised development plan for Harpers Lane is expected to progress. Last week, Macedon Ranges Shire councillors voted 5-3 to approve a 65-lot residential development with extensive conditions for the 24-hectare Kyneton South site. VCAT and council rejected the initial 87-lot…
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Housing in the spotlight
The draft Macedon Ranges Affordable Housing Policy has been released for community consultation before its adoption in June. Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s director of planning and environment, Rebecca Stockfeld, said the new policy built on the 2021 Affordable Housing Interim Policy and put the housing crisis on council’s agenda. “Council adopted its Affordable Housing Interim…
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‘No uniform existing character in Gisborne’
The applicant behind a development plan for Gisborne’s Ross Watt Road has been asked to resubmit a revised version to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. After seven hearing days, VCAT senior member Geoffrey Code found the plan was generally consistent with expectations in the planning scheme. He found it provided an appropriate framework in…
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‘Unprecedented number of visitors’
Macedon residents impacted by this year’s Autumn Festival visitation crowds have criticised the local council for its management of the event. One resident said the council had closed a section of Honour Avenue for the pedestrians and had crossing guards in place.“Bad luck for the people who live there,” she said. “Along the section of…
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Fire brigade in limbo
Amy Hume Riddells Creek Fire Brigade remains in limbo as the proposed site for its new station was all but struck out last week. Macedon Ranges Shire councillors voted not to pursue plans for the brigade’s relocation to Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve following community opposition. The Crown land reserve at 26-32 Sutherlands Road, zoned public…
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Change looms for local law
Macedon Ranges residents have until April 30 to have their say on local law changes that range from street parking to shopping trolley restrictions. Use of fireworks is just one new addition to the local law, with four options ranging from a blanket shire ban to no local law change at all. Changes to the…
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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…
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‘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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…