Macedon Ranges Shire Council
-
Reform ‘a step backwards’
Macedon Ranges has joined a chorus of local councils demanding answers on a major proposal to reintroduce single-member ward structures state-wide. The change would likely carve Macedon Ranges into nine council wards with individual representation, but the restructure call has been widely criticised as ‘a step backwards’. Macedon Ranges Council has called for choice over…
-
Steps forward for Hanging Rock
Hanging Rock’s East Paddock will be purchased by the state government from Macedon Ranges Council via a $3 million commitment over the next three years to implement the Hanging Rock Strategic Plan. The purchase will prevent any future plans to commercially develop the site, as was controversially proposed by a former council that sought private…
-
TOWERS CALL – Council in bid for innovative solutions
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has won support after doubling down on its call for stronger governance on the placement of telecommunication towers in the natural landscape. Taking its fight to the Australian Local Government Association for the second time, the council saw a small victory in the decision to lobby for increased federal funding for…
-
Council ready to fight
The decision on a controversial 711-lot development plan in Gisborne now falls to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after Macedon Ranges Shire Council failed to make a decision within a reasonable time-frame. Councillors made one last effort to highlight concerns for the 39 Willowbank Road proposal at the ordinary meeting last week, which attracted…
-
Farm zone nod
Farming activities are expected to intensify for a notable Rochford equine property as Macedon Ranges Shire councillors went against the grain to grant a discretionary use permit. Councillors approved a second abode for a 30.43ha property at 556 Boundary Road, which falls within the Farming Zone with strict rules to limit fragmentation of agricultural land.…
-
Black ban on Green
A key objector to a disputed Lancefield development plan overlay has been legally ordered to keep his distance from Macedon Ranges Shire Council offices. Lancefield resident Robert Green was slapped with a ‘declaration of prohibited person’ notice on June 12 relating to alleged disrespectful interactions with council officers. Awestruck by the allegations, Mr Green said…
-
Buzz about a chimney
A beehive discovered during council building renovations in Kyneton was safely relocated in a 12-hour operation last week. Bee Removals Victoria was called in to remove the hive that had formed in the chimney of the Mollison Street building and measured one and a half metres tall. “It was a decent-sized hive in an awkward…
-
Threats trigger security
Security and police have been engaged over threats from the public made to Macedon Ranges Shire Council staff. Security guards screened all general public attending Wednesday’s ordinary council meeting following threats made relating to an agenda item up for discussion. Acting Macedon Ranges chief executive John Hausler did not divulge the nature of the threats…
-
Neglected and ignored – Residents plead for council to close road
When new housing estates dramatically increase traffic and dust on an unsealed local road should the residents of that road have to pay for the fix? South Road Woodend residents say ‘no’. They are petitioning the shire council to close their road at the Washington Lane end rather than entering into a costly special charge…
-
Planning pigsty?
No piggery has operated in Monegeetta for 10 years yet locals remain restricted by its planning triggers and are demanding answers. Neighbours to the former Monegeetta Piggery on Chintin Road are facing unnecessary red tape when seeking to make changes to their properties, which has cost them time and money. Macedon Ranges Shire Council introduced…
-
Protecting precious species
The unassuming little basalt peppercress plant, a nationally endangered species, is being given a new chance of life at the iconic Hanging Rock Reserve. As a result of funding from the state government, Newham and District Landcare group is propagating and planting the nationally endangered basalt peppercress and the matted flax lily. The two species…
-
Backlash over bike review
Community backlash may force Macedon Ranges Shire Council to reconsider a review of its ban on motorised recreational vehicle use within 500 metres of a house. The local law was adopted five years ago in response to a multitude of complaints about recreational vehicle noise and impact to amenity, but councillors recently voted 5-4 to…