Victorian Government
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Riddell ready to fight
Pressure is mounting for the state government to reject the Amess Road Precinct Structure Plan that would trigger substantial development of Riddells Creek. A public meeting last week saw the town’s community centre reach capacity with residents ready to fight the plans for a second time. The current proposal has increased lots slightly on the…
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New hub for Trentham
It’s hosted weddings, birthdays, dances and school concerts for well over a century and now a brand new Mechanics Trentham has been delivered to an enthusiastic local community. The state-of-the-art facility includes a playgroup space, library and study nooks, workspaces, visitor information, a commercial-style kitchen and a large function space. The new space incorporates elements…
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Growth target set for state
Macedon Ranges Shire is expected to accommodate an additional 12,700 houses by 2051 in the Victorian Government’s latest draft housing targets. Last week Premier Jacinta Allan announced the draft targets for each local government area in the Housing Statement as part of a vision for Victoria’s next 30 years. The Premier said Victoria had the…
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Native forest logging to end
The state government has announced it will bring forward the end of native forest logging to January 2024. The end date will be accelerated from 2030 to the start of next year through additional $200 million of measures announced in last Tuesday’s State Budget. The move has been welcomed by the Victorian National Parks Association.…
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Stakes high for forests
In the same week that the Victorian Government announced permanent protections for Victoria’s three new national parks, the government also flagged new penalties for anti-logging protesters. Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, last Thursday announced $4 million to establish the new boundaries for the parks, which will be created by linking existing…
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Vet clinic goal gets big boost
Eve Lamb Efforts to establish a low-cost veterinary clinic at Campbells Creek received a big boost on Friday, with the announcement of a $200,000 grant from the state government to kick-start the vision. A determined team of locals have joined forces to see the concept for the new Regional Community Vet Clinic become reality. Their…
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New offer for Rock paddock
Will Macedon Ranges Shire Council agree to sell Hanging Rock’s East Paddock and at what cost? The public can soon weigh in as a new offer from the Victorian Government has emerged to purchase the community asset. Council’s acting director of corporate and community, Gina Lyons, said the proposed sale price was yet to be…
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Restrictions to ease on Friday
With hospitalisation numbers and community transmission decreasing and more than half of Victorians aged over 16 now vaccinated with three doses, a number of common-sense restrictions and recommendations in place during the state’s Omicron surge can be safely eased. From 6pm tomorrow, as part of new pandemic orders to be signed by the Minister for…
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Nudge kids to eat well
All kids deserve access to healthy and delicious food in places where they learn and play. Vic Kids Eat Well is an exciting new state-wide movement focused on boosting healthy food and drink options in the places kids spend their time, including schools, outside school hours care, sports clubs, recreation facilities, council-operated facilities and more.…
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Rock home in doubt
Hanging Rock Cricket Club may be forced to move from its long-held home at Hanging Rock Reserve if a draft masterplan released by the state government is implemented. Under the plan, released last week and now open for community consultation, the cricket, petanque and tennis clubs will be moved offsite to enable the relocation of…
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Rock paddock still in talks
No agreement has yet been reached on the sale or transfer of Hanging Rock’s East Paddock to the state government. Valuation talks around the council-owned site have not been abandoned despite differing views, Macedon Ranges Council CEO Bernie O’Sullivan indicated last week. “The council continues to work collaboratively with the state government on its desire…

