Macedon Ranges Shire Council
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Sharing knowledge across time
“Dear 2072” begins the inscription that will sit beside the time capsule buried last week at Kyneton Primary School. “This time capsule holds a snapshot of the natural treasures of the Greenhill to Black Hill biolink in 2022. We share our knowledge of this time, to help inform the future. “It is our hope that…
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Rural land plan axed
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has axed its controversial draft Rural Land Use Strategy. Councillors voted unanimously in support of a recommendation not to progress the strategy last week following 177 community submissions. The strategy proposed a swathe of rural land changes including rezoning large areas of farmland that would restrict primary producers who wish to…
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Spiky friend saved
An echidna was rescued from a prickly situation in Hutton Street, Kyneton, last Tuesday. The echidna was found wandering the car park between the Macedon Ranges Shire Council offices and court and the nearby busy roadway. MRSC director of planning and environment, Rebecca Stockfeld, said council staff acted quickly help the echidna to safety. “There…
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‘Rural identity not for sale’
Amy Hume Riddells Creek residents challenging the density of a residential development say the rural identity of their town is not for sale. The developer-led precinct structure plan includes the development of 131.8 hectares north of Amess Road identified for future growth. Residents say changes to the plan increase the development beyond the 1290 lots…
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Intersection upgrade ahead
Amy Hume Macedon Ranges Council is advocating for ‘prompt’ delivery of safety improvements to Woodend’s notorious Urquhart-High Street intersection, which could be up to seven years away. The works are a ‘medium-term’ project in the draft Woodend Integrated Transport Study with a four-to-seven year timeframe. Council’s director of assets and operations, Shane Walden, said the…
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Housing green light for Riddell
A hotly debated 10-unit development for Riddells Creek got a green light at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last week. Plans for the 4551sqm site at 4 Richardson Street had been disputed for overdevelopment and inconsistency with neighbourhood character. The proposal had council officer approval but community dissent sparked an online campaign and 17…
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Road danger ‘ignored’
Angela Crawford A new housing development in Harts Lane, Kyneton, has the potential to result in a serious road accident, nearby residents fear. A nine-lot subdivision approved by Macedon Ranges Shire Council proposes an access road positioned downhill from a steep rise on Harts Lane, where the current speed limit is 100km/h. The residents say…
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Museum spruce up
Kyneton Museum is getting a spruce up! The museum will close temporarily on December 12 to prepare for restoration works planned from mid-January 2023. Kyneton Museum is in the former Bank of New South Wales building in Piper Street, built in 1856. It houses changing exhibitions in the original banking chamber downstairs, while upstairs the…
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Flood recovery a long process
Macedon Ranges residents have heard flood recovery is expected to be a long process with widespread damage from the October flood events. The mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson, said Darraweit Guim was one the hardest hit areas in the shire and efforts were continuing shire-wide to support flood-impacted residents. “Some people in our community may not…
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CLUB HOMELESS AFTER FLOOD
Amy Hume Destructive floodwaters have rendered the Malmsbury Cricket Club homeless ahead of the imminent 2022-23 cricket season. Ripped up fences and roadways, mould concerns, debris, and ruined gear, was just part of the devastation at the Malmsbury Cricket Ground following October’s heavy downpours. MCC president Jenny Ganim said the facilities were unusable – a…
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Council workers in industrial action
Macedon Ranges Shire council workers stopped work for three hours on Tuesday as part of their campaign for a better work deal. Major sticking points in negotiations with council are a low pay offer and the union’s claim for extending the phone allowance to casual workers. A union spokesperson said Macedon Ranges Shire management…
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Healthy start for hub
A healthy community food initiative is spreading its roots in Kyneton. The Good Food Hub encourages growing and preparing healthy food on a budget. It is the latest venture of Kyneton Community House, which has seen a kitchen and community garden space introduced at its new High Street premises. With the help of dedicated volunteers…