Macedon Ranges Shire Council
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Councils hamstrung, wildlife inquiry reveals
New technologies and ideas have emerged to reduce wildlife road-strike, but councils are hamstrung by limited finances and autonomy, Macedon Ranges Shire Council says. “Residents want councils to act more quickly with more resources to do a whole range of things: put in electronic responsive signage, underpasses, overpasses and narrow roads,” chief executive officer Bernie…
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Inquiry hears of burn out
Wildlife carers across the region are burning out amid increasing case loads and cost pressures, the Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into wildlife road-strike has heard. Local wildlife carers called for increased funding opportunities and reimbursement programs for wildlife rescuers, driver education, and funding for a range of road-strike prevention opportunities. “There are so many pressures with…
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Hotel site to housing?
Could big changes soon be on the cards for the old Romsey Hotel site? A planning application was lodged last Monday for a 10-lot subdivision at the 90-94 Main Street address. The property also fronts 1 William Street and 94 Barry Street. Macedon Ranges Shire Council confirmed receipt of the application, which is currently being…
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Macedon Ranges councillor dies
Macedon Ranges Shire councillor, Christine Walker, died late last week. Fellow South Ward councillor and mayor, Dom Bonanno, said today the news had left him and many others in shock. “I have spoken with Christine’s husband Andrew and on behalf of the council, offered our deepest collective condolences and any support the family may need…
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Contractors sought
An expansion of the Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct in New Gisborne is now out to tender, with designs progressed and contractors invited to submit their proposals. The $17 million second stage will double the current indoor and outdoor offerings across the 15-hectare site either side of Barringo Road and north of Hamilton Road. On the…
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Policy to target AI use?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries and Macedon Ranges Shire Council will soon consider a new purposed policy to catch up. An Artificial Intelligence Policy is intended to “set clear direction for the safe, effective and innovative use of AI, support compliance with relevant legislation and guidelines, and build community trust”. Last week, Cr Kate…
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Anzac events in a spin
“Macedon Ranges council bureaucrats should hang their heads in shame” for decisions putting two local Anzac Day services in a spin, Bill Bates told the Express. The Malmsbury Anzac Day coodinator said he was “still shell-shocked” the council had refused $2500 for traffic management funding essential to run the town’s service. Last week, both Malmsbury…
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New Telstra mobile coverage
Telstra has expanded 4G and 5G mobile coverage throughout Kyneton, with a series of new mobile sites now delivering improved connectivity. A new 4G and 5G mobile base station at the showgrounds has been switched on and will support an additional 10 5G small cells that were recently rolled out through the area. Telstra regional…
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Old school site “nearly ready”
More than a year overdue, newly renovated spaces at the Old Kyneton Primary School site are “nearly ready for community use”, Creative Victoria has revealed. Creative Victoria has provided an update on the project following probes for answers from Macedon Ranges Shire Council earlier this year. The Victorian Government invested $12 million in the Baynton…
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Toilet cleaners leave skid marks
Cleaning contractors employed by Macedon Ranges Shire Council to maintain the public toilets at the Kyneton Botanic Gardens have come under fire after being caught repeatedly driving across the gardens and damaging the grounds. A concerned local resident initially raised the issue with the council, prompting a temporary stop to the practice. However, the resident…
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Strength, vision and legacy
National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee celebrations took place last week across the country and included an event at Gisborne Secondary College on Saturday. It was organised by the Sunbury Aboriginal Committee and sponsored by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health. This year marks the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC…
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A different ability
Mel Stephens has zero vision and no complaints. If someone offered to restore her vision, she would tell them to “go jump in the river and don’t come out”. “I had (vision). It was fun. If I could see with my iPhone screen, that’d be good. But I don’t need it and I don’t want…