Macedon Ranges Shire Council
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Heroes of the halfpipe
A nine-year-old skater and his friends have rallied more than 700 youth to call for improvements to Gisborne Skate Park. Gisborne local Thomas Gilmour is seeking expansion including more challenging elements, a pump track, water taps and lighting to meet increased demand at the site. He launched his campaign in October when he noticed a…
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First of three before council
Macedon Ranges Shire councillors are expected to decide on a 42-lot subdivision for Kyneton’s Edgecombe Road this week. The application forms part of a major development for the area, which includes a future major hardware retailer and fuel station with fast-food restaurant. The 42-lot subdivision is the first of three applications to go before the…
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Intersection with issues
A Kyneton intersection that has remained unchanged since the road it meets was the former Calder Highway is desperately in need of an upgrade, local road users say. A two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Lauriston Road and Burton Avenue last Wednesday has brought the issue to the fore, as more and more drivers report…
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SITE SALE STALEMATE: Value of Hanging Rock’s East Paddock in dispute
Question hangs over the true value of Hanging Rock’s East Paddock as Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the state government draw lines in the sand over its sale. The council rejected an offer made by the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning in May, which it described as “significantly below” council’s own valuation of…
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Double-rail ‘disaster’
Double-rail steel safety barriers on Romsey Road have been described as a “bureaucratic mess that has made the road less safe” and a “bumper bowling lane” disaster for local wildlife. Residents say wildlife road trauma has increased on the stretch of road between Romsey and Hesket as animals find themselves trapped when attempting to cross.…
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Parking fines imminent?
Parking fines look imminent for residents of a Kyneton housing estate who say they have no other option than to park on their naturestrips. Parking officers last week resumed full patrols and the issuing of fines in Macedon Ranges following scaled back activity from April. The move comes as COVID-19 restrictions ease and visitors return…
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Gisborne planning an election focal point
Proper planning for Gisborne’s future has emerged as one of the biggest election issues for Macedon Ranges’ south as ratepayers look to the polls. Attesting strong community interest is ratepayer Dean Markham’s fast-growing campaign to call for change to the council’s draft 30-year Gisborne Futures Plan. He argues the current draft leaves the town wide…
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Kyneton street name tarnished with blood
A Kyneton resident who believes his street name is tarnished with the blood of slaughtered Indigenous people has begun a campaign to have it changed. Harry Byass, 21, has lived in Hutton Street his whole life but recently learned the street was named after Charles Hutton, a station owner in the Campaspe region in the…
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Spotlight on wildlife road trauma
Wildlife carers are optimistic that more can be done to prevent wildlife road trauma as Macedon Ranges Council moves to investigate the issue. Spearheading the move at council’s September ordinary meeting, Cr Natasha Gayfer said wildlife road trauma had been raised with council several times over the past four years and was in need of…
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Council candidates revealed
Mount Alexander will see uncontested elections for two wards in October’s local government elections while Macedon Ranges has a strong field of prospective councillors across all wards. There will be no public vote for Mount Alexander’s Coliban and Calder Wards as returning councillors Christine Henderson and Anthony Cordy have secured single vacancies, respectively, unchallenged. A…
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Malmsbury marks cultural heritage
New cultural signage has been installed at Malmsbury Common Reserve in conjunction with Djandak, the business enterprise of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation. Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s director of planning and environment, Angela Hughes, said a desire was expressed by the community to have Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners acknowledged and reflected in…
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FUTURE GISBORNE? Call to reshape 30-year plan
Gisborne ratepayer Dean Markham is leading a fight against a 30-year plan for his town that he fears foreshadows a ‘Sunbury future’. He is challenging Macedon Ranges Council’s draft Gisborne Futures documents that plan for a population boom and map impending development. Determined to keep the town regional, Mr Markham has launched his own campaign…