Mount Alexander Shire Council
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Concern over church plan for Castlemaine
A proposed church development that would become the largest place of assembly in Castlemaine is currently before Mount Alexander Shire Council. Residents have raised concerns about the application for 83 Blakeley Road, which would have the capacity to seat up to 870 people and an adjoining car park to accommodate 160 cars. The application outlines…
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Creative residencies
Four local creatives have been given residency at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Castlemaine as part of the 2020-21 At Home program. The Mount Alexander Shire Council program provides industry development opportunities for creatives through a three-week residency opportunity, artist fees and marketing and technical support. Alex Kelly and her Melbourne-based collaborator David Pledger will…
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Stand taken on thongs
The humble thong has long been a classic of stereotyped iconic Aussie footwear, and from now on they’re also going to be smiled upon at Mount Alexander Shire’s citizenship ceremonies. Thongs, and their official positioning in the council’s Citizenship Dress Code Policy, came in for a splash of the spotlight at last week’s Mount Alexander…
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VGR in state’s new rail training pilot
A new pilot program will offer training and hands-on experience helping Victorian Goldfields Railway upgrade the tourist railway’s infrastructure between Castlemaine and Maldon. Late last week the state government announced support for indigenous and vulnerable people in the Loddon Mallee region to gain a certified qualification through the program. Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll…
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Building community resilience
A number of local resilience groups have cropped up in the region in recent years and have seen neighbours forming networks and supporting each other. Groups such as West End Resilience and Castlemaine Commons aim to support their neighbours and spread important messages such as fire safety. The importance of these local social networks has…
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Council candidates revealed
Mount Alexander will see uncontested elections for two wards in October’s local government elections while Macedon Ranges has a strong field of prospective councillors across all wards. There will be no public vote for Mount Alexander’s Coliban and Calder Wards as returning councillors Christine Henderson and Anthony Cordy have secured single vacancies, respectively, unchallenged. A…
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Camp Reserve master plan draws debate
A “once in a lifetime opportunity to improve our premier reserve” is the way one local councillor has described the adoption of an amended Camp Reserve Master Plan in recent days. At its September meeting last week, Mount Alexander Shire Council voted 6:1 in favour of adopting the new plan intended to guide some $6…
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WORLD HERITAGE BID
Castlemaine and surrounds are in plum position to benefit from a momentous bid to see the wider Central Victorian Goldfields attain World Heritage listing. In a key document highlighting why the site is significant and should be given UNESCO World Heritage listing, a UK World Heritage expert has described the Central Victorian Goldfields as the…
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Grand old dame gets a makeover
Works to restore and preserve Castlemaine’s historic Market Building are continuing to draw a huge amount of interest. The Express caught up with heritage contractors Ivy Constructions who are working closely with RBA Architects and Conservation Consultants to undertake extensive testing, maintenance and restoration work on the much-loved local icon on behalf of Mount Alexander…
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Carbon neutral plan for council
Mount Alexander Shire Council has adopted a detailed plan outlining the path it now intends to follow to achieve zero net carbon emissions for its operations by 2025. Local councillors last week unanimously voted in favour of adopting the new Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2020-2025 with Cr John Nieman moving the motion in favour and…
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Circus aims to bring a smile
The creators behind the inaugural Castlemaine Circus Festival are watching COVID-19 developments closely and continuing to plan their highly anticipated event. Campbells Creek couple and international circus performers Caz Walsh and Mason West said their November show would definitely go ahead either way. Caz said they had been working closely with Mount Alexander Shire Council…
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Bus commuters without shelter
Castlemaine CBD bus commuters have been left without shelter from the elements thanks to an ongoing campaign of vandalism. Local resident James Taylor contacted the Express over his concerns about the town’s Mostyn Street bus shelter. “Unfortunately, it seems there has been a silent war going on between the council and the group of yobbos…