Macedon Ranges Shire Council
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Tiny homes, big problems?
Kerrie residents have warned a proposal for four short-stay accommodation ‘tiny homes’ could create big problems if approved at 131 Shannons Lane. Provider ‘Shacky’ has plans for group accommodation at the 35.38 hectare site but nearby residents have alerted council to road and safety risks. Resident Helen Franklin said Shannons Lane was a single-carriage, dirt…
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Fight ignites over service centre bid
Woodend residents are fighting an application for a freeway service centre at the edge of their town, just four years after VCAT rejected a similar proposal. Plans include three fast-food restaurants with drive-throughs, 174 parking bays for cars/trucks/caravans, internally-illuminated signage, and construction of two new on/off freeway ramps. The applicant, Welsh Leisure, has appealed to…
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Building connections by a simple visit
Valuable connections are forming through Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme. The free service, federally funded, matches a council-organised volunteer with an eligible participant for regular visits, to provide companionship and reduce social isolation. Maddie decided to volunteer during her final years of high school to improve her skills and give back…
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Gisborne open space push
A small but valuable parcel of land could provide Gisborne with much-sought open space if Macedon Ranges Shire Council can acquire it. The 4.5 acres at 120 Aitken Street was donated to the local primary school for use as a pine plantation and bird sanctuary in the 1920s. At that time, 18 local families and…
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Grow your club
Sports clubs and active recreation facilities in the Macedon Ranges and Sunbury are being offered the opportunity to increase their membership numbers. Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health is partnering with Macedon Ranges Shire Council to host a workshop delivered by Proud2Play, designed to build capacity in LGBTIQA+ inclusion. “We know that sport creates a community…
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Planning powers at risk
Planning powers could be overridden if local councils do not co-operate with the Victorian Government’s latest housing targets to reach 2.24 million new homes by 2051. Macedon Ranges Shire is expected to accommodate an additional 13,200 houses by 2051 in updated plans released last week. It is an additional 500 homes on what was initially…
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Enviro-Energy Expo returns
Riddells Creek Cool Changes Enviro-Energy Expo will return on March 15, as the opening event for a week-long festival organised by Macedon Ranges Shire Council. The free family friendly expo will bring together experts, innovators and community members to explore sustainable living solutions that benefit both the environment and household budgets. This year’s expo will…
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Waste management needs improvement
Macedon Ranges Council has released results from an audit on kerbside bins to determine how accurately households across the shire are disposing their waste. Four tonnes of rubbish from 375 randomly selected houses tested contamination levels in their recycling, organic and general waste bins. Findings from the report published on January 9 to the council’s…
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Councils prioritise Indigenous relations
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has joined more than 30 per cent of Victorian councils and once more decided against hosting Australia Day celebrations in reconciliation with Indigenous Australians. This action has been in place since August 2023 when the council voted 5-2 in favour of moving the annual Australia Day Awards and citizenship ceremony. To…
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School holiday activities
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is hosting a range of fun activities for children and young people throughout the summer school holidays, including: Inflatable Fun @ aquatic centres Both Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre and Gisborne Aquatic Centre will host the pool inflatable – featuring obstacles, climbing hills and slides – on the following days…
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Urgent traffic solutions sought
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is calling on Department of Transport for urgent traffic solutions for Woodend’s notorious Urquhart/High Street intersection. Users of the intersection contend with main street congestion, a confusing layout with several turning points and high volumes of traffic accessing service hot spots including the Coles supermarket and train station. More than four…
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Bonanno takes the lead
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has elected Dominic Bonanno mayor and Kate Kendall deputy mayor. Cr Bonanno, now serving his second term on council, has been elected to the mayoral position for one year. His only challenger for the role was fellow South Ward councillor Christine Walker, who self-nominated and did not receive support. Cr Bonanno…