Woodend
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False alarm at Woodend’s historic Victoria Hotel
Firefighters from Woodend and Macedon were quick to respond after a caller to triple zero reported seeing flames in the roof of Woodend’s historic Victoria Hotel about 11.30am this morning. An inspection of the hotel’s roof cavity with a thermal camera found no trace of smoke or fire. It is believed that two log fires…
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CHASING CARS Leo Pruneau’s designs come to life in iconic Australian wheels
Not many people can lay claim to having flown first class on every business trip, and on the Concorde five times, but Leo Pruneau has the ‘souvenir’ glasses to prove it. Such was the jet setting lifestyle of a top General Motors designer, “in another life” as the now 88-year-old Woodend resident describes it. Responsible…
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FUTURE FOR FACTORY? Objections and support for Woodend retail plan
Parking and traffic flow need a re-think in a $4.7 million Woodend retail redevelopment plan to breathe new life into ‘The Old Factory’, objectors say. The proposal for 30 Brooke Street includes a 40-stall market, 75-seat licensed restaurant and tavern, but neighbouring residents have slammed a waiver for car parking as unacceptable. It has been…
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Constant interruption to ADSL internet
Residents of Ashbourne and Woodend are struggling to work and study from home during lockdown with constant interruption to their old technology ADSL internet service. Congestion on the Mount Macedon mobile tower that services the district has impacted mobile data use, especially in the outlying area to the east and south-east of Woodend. Some residents…
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Children seen fleeing scene of suspicious fires
Firefighters and police are treating two fires that broke out at Woodend on Saturday as suspicious. Woodend CFA captain Mike Dornau was first at the scene in parkland near Shirley Park just before noon and discovered an area of about half an acre fully involved, with flames creeping up several large cyprus trees. Seven tankers…
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‘Time to wake up’ – Extinction Rebellion demands emergency declaration
Extinction Rebellion protesters took to the street in Woodend recently in a display of polite civil disobedience to raise awareness of our climate emergency. On December 28, nine protesters with the well-known logo printed on their flags shared the High Street crossing with pedestrians as part of global protests demanding action on climate change. Traffic…
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A lasting legacy
Vale – Ernie Barker January 25, 1945 – November 26, 2019 Ernie Barker’s life and achievements impacted so many, and thoughts are with family, friends, and the wide breadth of people whom Ernie had a great influence over the years. Ernie passed away peacefully at RM Begg in Kyneton, comforted by Carol and family last…
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Woodend intersection dubbed a ‘lesson in irresponsible planning’
A notorious Woodend intersection has been dubbed “a lesson in irresponsible planning” as it moves up Macedon Ranges Council’s priority list. Users of the High/Urquhart Street intersection have reported an alarming number of ‘near misses’ and say it’s the result of “development not done right”. They contend with main street congestion, a confusing layout with…
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Brigades battle burn-offs
Fire brigades across the region have been kept busy bringing escaped fires under control over the past fortnight. In one incident last Friday morning, a contract slasher working to create a fire break sparked a grassfire at Baringhup when the equipment struck granite. Baringhup Fire Brigade captain Brendan McKnight said striking granite was almost 100…
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Tower call answered for Woodend
A community call has been answered in Macedon Ranges Council’s rejection of a proposed phone tower at the entrance to Woodend. The plan would have seen a 33-metre Optus tower built at the town’s train station near the Christian Street/Corinella Road intersection. Councillor Jennifer Anderson gained unanimous support for her motion to refuse the tower…
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To Paris and back
Woodend’s Tiffany Winchester is in France right now with her family preparing for one of the world’s most famous cycling endurance events, the 1200 kilometre Paris-Brest-Paris. It’s an impressive undertaking for someone who took to bike riding for exercise only three years ago after a foot injury prevented her from running. The PBP, as it…
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Cashed-up buyers fuel house-price growth
Cashed-up buyers moving from Melbourne have helped to fuel a surge in house prices in Kyneton and the Macedon Ranges over the past 12 months. Prices in Kyneton have risen 12.7 per cent in a year to a median of $572,000. The previous 12 months’ growth was 8.2 per cent. Woodend continues to be popular…