Macedon Ranges Shire Council
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Hall’s hefty facelift
The eight-month restoration of the historic Kyneton Town Hall is set to be completed this month. Mayor Jennifer Anderson said the Mollison Street building was one of the most substantial regional shire halls in Victoria. “The municipality of Kyneton was founded in October 1857 and the history of Kyneton Shire Hall is one of fascinating…
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No safe crossing
St Ambrose Parish Primary’s community doesn’t want to see a disastrous traffic accident resulting from a lack of safe pedestrian access in the school precinct. The Woodend school is one of the only ones in the district without school crossings and the school community wants action. More than 150 parents lodged concerns with the council…
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Murmuring Walk launched at Mount Macedon
A guided audio experience has launched that’s inspired by the environment and the birdlife inhabiting the lush bush surrounds of Sanatorium Lake, Mount Macedon. Connected by your personal device, ‘Murmuring Walk’ allows participants to enter a contemplative space that will bring Sanatorium Lake to life with a multi-layered and poetic soundtrack featuring exquisite vocals, rhythms…
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Council restructure to be reversed
Macedon Ranges Shire Council will transition to a four-directorate structure in early 2022, separating corporate and community services back into stand-alone directorates. The surprise move reverts back to the council’s original four-tier structure, which was reduced to three directorates under former council CEO Margot Stork in 2020. New CEO Bernie O’Sullivan said the changes would…
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Increase the health of your farm
Knowing what you’re looking at in the paddock, when to use animals to graze the landscape and when to let it recover, are all crucial to keeping your farm and your livestock profitable, healthy and sustainable. Sam White from Sidonia Beef has been implementing regenerative grazing on his Sidonia property since 2016 and hasn’t looked…
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New role to address housing challenge
A dedicated housing officer has been appointed by Mount Alexander Shire Council to address the issue of boosting affordable housing in the shire. Clare Richards began in the new role early last month and has already begun meeting with community groups and other key stakeholders to identify opportunities for affordable long-term housing for low and…
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Storm recovery ongoing
Macedon Ranges residents who were impacted by the June storms can now apply for federal disaster recovery payments. The council was only added to the Australian Government Disaster Payments list on October 6 despite extensive damage to the region. Residents who suffered injury or major damage to their property can apply for the one-off, non-means…
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Pink without a permit
A pink building in Gisborne is turning heads for all the wrong reasons since it was painted without a permit. The building, at 44 Hamilton Street, is the trade space of electrical wholesaler Middy’s, which has the trademark pink branding. Former Macedon Ranges Shire councillor Andrew Twaits questioned the bold change at council’s recent ordinary…
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Still waiting on safety upgrades
Safety upgrades for a risky Baynton road floodway remain on Macedon Ranges Council’s draft works list more than eight years on despite calls for action. Residents say the Martins Road floodway has posed a risk to motorists for years with its dangerous dip and lack of signage and railings, yet the council continues to delay…
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Romsey aged care to VCAT
A 120-bed residential aged-care facility for Romsey has Macedon Ranges Council’s tick of approval as it progresses to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Councillors voted 5-3 in favour of the proposal, which aims to fill a void of services in the east but threatens to extend Romsey’s town boundary. The SignatureCare facility would be…
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Protection a burden?
Proposed heritage overlays could be too great a burden on not-for-profit organisations, Macedon Ranges Shire Council has heard. Freemasons Victoria and the Coptic Orthodox Church have urged reconsideration of overlays at Woodend Masonic Lodge and Campaspe House respectively as the council deliberates its latest amendment to the heritage study. Representing Freemasons, Andrew Baird said a…
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Rock paddock still in talks
No agreement has yet been reached on the sale or transfer of Hanging Rock’s East Paddock to the state government. Valuation talks around the council-owned site have not been abandoned despite differing views, Macedon Ranges Council CEO Bernie O’Sullivan indicated last week. “The council continues to work collaboratively with the state government on its desire…