Victorian Government
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Anger at broken promise
The creation of a new Wombat-Lerderderg National Park has been delayed until next year, angering local environmental activists who describe the failure of the state government to legislate the park as a broken promise. Members and supporters of Wombat Forestcare were assured in letters from the environment minister, Steve Dimopoulos, and local member, Mary-Anne Thomas,…
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Amess Road decision imminent
A decision is imminent on controversial plans that could change the face of Riddells Creek forever. Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny will this month determine the fate of the Draft Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme Amendment C161macr at Amess Road. The amendment would allow a housing development that is anticipated to urbanise and double the size…
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Levy to impact tourism, but boost housing
Macedon Ranges accommodation providers are nervously awaiting the outcome of major changes to their industry and expect tourism to also take a hit. Short stay rentals will become more costly from January next year following the Short Stay Levy Bill introduced to Parliament last week. The legislation introduces a 7.5 per cent levy on short…
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Alarm raised over Amess Road consultation figures
Riddells Creek residents have raised alarm over the integrity of community consultation for a major Riddells Creek planning application conducted via Engage Victoria. Riddells Creek Planning Group has written to Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny seeking the process be immediately stopped and reviewed following a discrepancy in data. On July 19, planning group members met…
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Turning trash into treasure
Romsey residents now have a new way to recycle unwanted items and an alternative to buying new, thanks to funding from the state government’s $5.9 million Circular Economy Councils Fund. Romsey’s new ReSale Shop at the Romsey Resource Recovery Centre, one of 67 projects supported by the $5.9 million fund, was officially opened last Friday…
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Community helps fund new tanker
Woodend CFA has recently taken delivery of a new 4WD medium tanker that was partly funded through the Victorian Government’s Volunteer Emergency Service Equipment Program. “We applied for the grant in 2020, when I was captain of the brigade,” said former captain Mike Dornau. “The CFA provides the brigade with vehicles and equipment to suit…
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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…