Macedon Ranges Shire Council
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Anger over ‘brutal’ pruning in New Gisborne
Recent pruning of heritage trees to clear powerlines in New Gisborne’s main street has been described by angry residents as “brutal”. Local resident Ray Keane said the beautiful oaks and elms that lined Station Street were more than 100 years old. “We contacted Powercor and we met a couple of representatives on site and expressed…
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Protection plan launched
The state government’s long-awaited plan to protect the Macedon Ranges from overdevelopment and urban sprawl was launched during a tour of the region by planning minister Richard Wynne last Thursday. Joining Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas, local indigenous elders and shire councillors at Blackhill Reserve, Mr Wynne launched the Statement of Planning Policy, a 50-year strategy…
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New bins roll out in Macedon Ranges
Macedon Ranges’ new four-bin kerbside waste collection service rolled out last week as many other Victorian councils await state government direction on the waste crisis. The shire’s new service has introduced glass only and full ‘food organics garden organics’ recycling. More than 14,000 customers are part of the first stage of the FOGO service, each…
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Backing cash-for-cans
It is not yet known what impact a state-wide container deposit scheme would have on kerbside recycling services but both Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander shire councils have welcomed the move. A soft announcement of the state government’s likely introduction of scheme came last week as Macedon Ranges began its four-bin waste collection service that…
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Kyneton and District Tennis Club gets love
After 10 long years of planning and fundraising, Kyneton and District Tennis Club had good reason for a celebration late last Thursday afternoon. The club’s six aged courts have been replaced with four modern grass courts and two safe and compliant hard courts. And on top of that, lights have been installed – a great…
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Council ordered to clean up ‘unofficial’ Lancefield tip site
Macedon Ranges Council has a clean up bill of about $40,000 after it was ordered to secure an “unofficial tip site” at Showlers Lane, Lancefield. The Environment Protection Authority issued a notice for remediation works on the council-owned road reserve, following an investigation that resulted from a community tip-off. Council workers have covered the area…
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Bid to protect Gisborne avenues of honour
Unregistered avenues of honour in Gisborne and New Gisborne are at risk as the towns reshape for population growth. Several of the 100-year-old oak trees have already been lost to road widening and duplication works over the years and residents fear more may be lost with no protection, while development and changes to road networks…
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Macedon Ranges Council urged to drop glyphosate
Macedon Ranges Council has been urged to drop its use of potentially harmful glyphosate-based herbicides. It is one of many councils that continues to use glyphosate weedkillers such as Roundup to manage parks and roadside weeds despite the chemical coming under fire for its possible link to cancers. Pushing for change, Kyneton local Lyle Green…
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Woodend intersection dubbed a ‘lesson in irresponsible planning’
A notorious Woodend intersection has been dubbed “a lesson in irresponsible planning” as it moves up Macedon Ranges Council’s priority list. Users of the High/Urquhart Street intersection have reported an alarming number of ‘near misses’ and say it’s the result of “development not done right”. They contend with main street congestion, a confusing layout with…
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Rise, unite, resist
This year’s International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 saw 80 community members attend the Macedon Ranges Family Violence Network launch of its 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. The event was held at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute reserve in what was a strong show of support for respecting women…
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Dog ban for Mount Gisborne Reserve
Dogs will be banned from Mount Gisborne Reserve, beginning next year, in a bid to protect its native flora and fauna. The unanimous vote came as Macedon Ranges Shire councillors endorsed the Council Dog and Cat Order 2019 – Domestic Animals Act 1994. The order introduced requirements for dogs to be on-leash in public places,…
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Gisborne’s heritage at risk
Some of Gisborne’s earliest heritage could be at risk in the latest plan to upgrade the Kilmore and Melbourne Roads intersection. The $12.5 million state government upgrade aims to improve traffic flow and deliver safer pedestrian crossing facilities but design may threaten to remove a historic bluestone bridge and significant trees at the town’s gateway.…