Mount Alexander Shire Council
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Call for sanctuary – Petition to ban shooting at Cairn Curran
A petition calling for a ban on recreational duck shooting on Cairn Curran Reservoir at Baringhup has attracted hundreds of signatures, the majority of them local, in less than a week.The petition calls for the reservoir and surrounding wetlands to be made a sanctuary and supports a vote made by Mount Alexander Shire Council two…
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Bridge saga to council tonight
The intense degree of public interest surrounding the future of Castlemaine’s historic Froomes Road Bridge is expected to draw a packed public gallery at this evening’s Mount Alexander Shire Council meeting. Lobbying stepped up this week ahead of this evening’s anticipated council decision on whether to review the design of the structure that’s planned to…
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Bridge on Froomes decision time looms
The future of Castlemaine’s Froomes Road Bridge is expected to become clearer after next month’s Mount Alexander Shire Council meeting. Whether it will be replaced with a single or double-lane structure remains a matter of controversy since the former council last year ratified awarding a $1,018,300.10 contract to VEC Pty Ltd to replace the current…
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Retirement village on hold
Plans for the development of an affordable retirement village for Castlemaine are on hold after the potential developer of the project pulled out for reasons connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. The disappointed working group behind the project said that much groundwork, discussion and planning had gone into the lifestyle village concept since a parcel of…
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Lethal dog attack kills 12 sheep
A lethal dog attack at a Glenluce property has left 12 sheep dead and 17 others injured, sparking calls for people to keep their dogs secured. Horrified neighbours rushed to the aid of local farmer Lance McDonald after a woman walking her own pet dog raised the alarm as the attack was taking place on…
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Help in your pocket
A handy new wallet card is available from local businesses and community hubs to keep local residents mentally well in Mount Alexander Shire in the lead up to Christmas. Central Victorian Primary Care Partnership executive officer Shelly Lavery said the the new cards were easy to understand with tips on how to stay on top…
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Maldon’s makeover powers ahead
The first stage of historic Maldon’s multi-million dollar makeover is well under way, with works to move the town’s electricity underground powering ahead. Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards visited the former mining town on Friday to officially turn the first sod on the $5.5 million dollar Maldon Streetscape Revitalisation Project. The state government has committed…
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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…