Macedon Ranges Shire Council
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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…
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Push to connect South Kyneton
South Kyneton residents are calling for pedestrian and vehicle access improvements to be prioritised. Residents are seeking a safe pedestrian path to Kyneton Train Station and vehicle bridge over the Campaspe River from Edgecombe Street. Developer, Kyneton on Riverside, is leading a petition for the projects to be prioritised and has already gained hundreds of…
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Local identities headline event
Several special guests were featured at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute on Sunday June 15 as Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the Kindness to Elders Initiative presented a free afternoon of film to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Despite the cold, grey day, a good turnout came to show support for the event, which was…
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Plans to drop road speeds
Plans to reduce speed limits in core business and activity areas of Kyneton, Woodend and Riddells Creek for are now out for public comment. The three town proposals aim to improve safety and most proposals are to reduce speeds to 40km/h. The plan is fully funded through the Victorian Government’s Safe Local Roads and Street…
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Farmers under pressure
Fourth generation Gisborne sheep farmer Tom Neal could be the last in his family to work the land. He doesn’t like to think that but admits it’s a possibility he faces as more and more challenges emerge for Victorian farmers. After months of drought and dry conditions across most of the state, the latest obstacle…
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Soil saviours gather at Sidonia
Another successful ‘Healthy Landscapes’ course has been run with record attendance from landholders attending from all over the region and an average of nearly 200 acres per participating property. This valuable course is designed to help landholders learn about managing their land starting with their most valuable resource, soil. Currently the region is experiencing an…
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Growing pains for Ranges wildlife
Joanna Beard It’s a crisp, June morning on the outskirts of Gisborne. Stolen glances of Mount Macedon and the comforting smell of woodsmoke are among the wintry delights here. But there’s something that distracts from the beauty. It’s the dead animals splayed along the roadside. Two eastern grey kangaroos, one ringtail possum, one crimson rosella…
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Levy topic still hot
Farmers and rural councils continue to push back against the Victorian Government’s controversial emergency services levy despite news of a reprieve for farmers. On May 30, the government announced it would cap its Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy at the 2024/25 rate for primary production properties for the 2025-26 financial year. Hitting pause for…
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Volunteers ‘priceless’
The winners of the Macedon Ranges Community Awards 2025 have been officially announced, with inspiring individuals and groups recognised for their contributions to the shire. Held at the Kyneton Town Hall on Thursday May 22 during National Volunteer Week, the event celebrated outstanding efforts across eight award categories, as part of a newly consolidated format…
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Riddell rec lights up
Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve can now be in play after dark following completion of significant lighting upgrades. The upgrade included three new 30-metre light towers built – and an existing mobile phone tower utilised for a lighting add-on – across a three-month construction period. Macedon Ranges Mayor Dom Bonanno expressed his excitement and gratitude at…