Victorian Government
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Haste on Clarkefield plan “unreasonable”
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has called out the state government’s haste in its four-week consultation on a development planned to change the face of Clarkefield. At council’s meeting last week, Cr Jennifer Anderson revealed the council had been informally refused a time extension on its submission to the process. With submissions closing yesterday, MRSC has…
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Still in with a chance
The Kyneton and District Town Square Co-operative says it remains committed to securing community access to the Old Kyneton Primary School site after almost nine years of advocacy. Co-op board member Peter Henderson said the group was “very excited” to have been shortlisted as head tenant/lead operator for the site after submitting an Expression of…
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Clarkefield future in focus
A 2300-home development will change the face of Clarkefield if approved and now the Victorian Government has opened consultation. The move follows Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s calls for broad community awareness and input after the plans were referred to the state’s Development Facilitation Program. Draft Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme Amendment – C164macr proposes a new…
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Lancefield development ‘sterilised’
A group of Lancefield landowners are hopeful a lengthy planning battle restricting development may soon come to an end. Macedon Ranges Shire mayor, Cr Kate Kendall, has sought Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny’s urgent assistance to remove Development Plan Overlay Schedule 24 (DPO24) that has created almost the opposite outcome of its intent. Cr Kendall told…
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Kilkenny ‘please explain’
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is calling on Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny to explain removal of significant trees from Mount Macedon without notification. Parks Victoria has gained ministerial approval to remove snow gums and other vegetation to reinstate view lines to Mount Macedon Memorial Cross ahead of Anzac Day. Works began earlier this month without…
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Local MP to retire from politics
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas has announced she will retire from politics at the next state election, bringing an end to more than a decade in parliament. Ms Thomas, who has represented the seat since November 2014 and currently serves as Minister for Health, Women and Ambulance Services, said the decision came down to whether she…
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Commuters call for more carriages
Victoria’s free public transport initiative has now been extended until the end of May but overcrowding has prevented many regional travellers from using it this month. Premier Jacinta Allen announced free travel across April in response to limited fuel supply and rising petrol prices, as war continues in the Middle East. On Sunday, the Premier…
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3AW hosts visit Castlemaine, Harcourt
In a boost for local tourism businesses, 3AW Breakfast broadcast live from Shedshaker Brewery on March 16, celebrating autumn with a special show designed to encourage people back to the region. Supported by Visit Victoria, this live show saw hosts Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft showcase all there is to do and see in Castlemaine…
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Ranges questions housing targets
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is seeking clarity on how it will achieve its Victorian Government imposed housing target of 13,200 new homes by 2051. The state government set targets for each municipality last year and warned councils they would need to unlock land for housing or it would “do it for you”. At MRSC’s ordinary…
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Community plea for funding
More than a thousand postcards will make their way to parliament backing increased funding for Macedon Ranges’ strained Neighbourhood Houses. Years of inadequate funding has put the services at risk of closure and threatened the vital programs they provide. Kyneton, Woodend, Gisborne, Lancefield, RIddells Creek and Romsey services have joined the state-wide ‘Keep Our Doors…
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Council throws off “blanket solution”
Macedon Ranges Shire Council calling for the Victorian Government to hit pause on sweeping planning reforms they fear will shake the Ranges. Under the Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill 2025, Victoria’s new homes, duplexes, townhouses and low-rise apartments will not require notice and there will be no third party appeals. It also seeks…
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“What is the point?” Protections ignored
A document built to protect Macedon Ranges’ distinctive areas and landscapes is being “ignored” and lacks power, Macedon Ranges Shire councillors say. While Macedon Ranges was the first declared Distinctive Area Landscape in 2018, the council says vital steps have lagged that would ensure its special protection. The Macedon Ranges Statement of Planning Policy 2019…