The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) has appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Productivity in Canberra and proposed major reforms aimed at bolstering economic productivity by strengthening and building resilience across the rural freight sector.

ALRTA is the national peak body for Australia’s multi-billion-dollar livestock and rural road freight operators, linking farms, processors, saleyards and ports.

Recent geopolitical events have exposed disruptions and challenges with freight supply chains which have a ripple effect across the economy. This includes increased costs and suppressed output.

ALRTA recommends the Committee adopts these three significant industry reforms:

1. Establish a National Washdown and Managed Effluent Disposal Network for livestock and bulk agricultural freight, designed in collaboration with states and industry. Freight operators currently lose time and experience delays by having to detour for the cleaning and disposing of waste in vehicles due to irregular access to suitable cleaning facilities. It is recommended that new facilities are funded and built along priority corridors. A national standard would save time and improve compliance with biosecurity laws which is crucial when dealing with livestock and food.
2. Cut regulatory red tape. Freight regulations are complex and often duplicated between jurisdictions which creates unnecessary administrative burdens and stymies productivity. A nationally agreed package is recommended, that is harmonised and reusable, so operators and regulators stop re-proving the same facts and data in different formats across different states. This would enable faster decision making and reduce delays.
3. Establish a National Freight Workforce Resilience Package, built around competence and rapid redeployment. There is a truck driver shortage which impacts productivity by having less vehicles on the road. Employment and job growth is often constrained by slow training and qualifications processes, and inconsistent recognition pathways for drivers with pre-requisite experience. A national package is recommended that would prioritise consistent training and assessment and create a system that would reduce duplication and provide clearer pathways for drivers to onboard.

ALRTA Executive Director Anthony Boyle said the proposals would be a game changer for Australia’s crucial rural freight sector.

“The freight and logistics sector accounts for about 8.6 per cent of Australia’s GDP, which has an immeasurable impact on productivity and impacts all communities,” Mr Boyle said.

“The sector is currently burdened with unnecessary delays, time wastage and red tape, which impedes productivity and reduces certainty and confidence.

“These sensible and evidence-based reforms would strengthen industry resilience, boost productivity and provide everyday Australians with confidence that food and other essentials will be transported as quickly, safely and cost effectively as possible, with minimal disruption.

“These changes would unlock unrealised economic potential, improve investor confidence and bolster supply chain networks, which ultimately benefits all Australians.”

Palliative Care Australia (PCA) welcomes the Federal Government’s NDIS reform agenda but says the changes must deliver coordinated support for people with disability linked to a terminal (life-limiting) illness or risk worsening “bed block” in hospitals. 

PCA Interim CEO Simon Waring said the palliative care sector will seek to work constructively with government on the reforms, while ensuring the needs of people with life-limiting illness remain front and centre. 

“We recognise the Government’s commitment to strengthening the NDIS and improving its long-term sustainability,” he said. 

“These are significant reforms, and Palliative Care Australia wants to engage positively with government on how they are designed and implemented.  

“It’s essential people with terminal illness are not overlooked in the process. For this group, the key issue is not simply whether they can access the NDIS. It is whether they can get the practical, day-to-day functional support they need, when they need it, regardless of which system provides it,” Mr Waring said. 

PCA National Policy Director Josh Fear said the proposed shift away from diagnosis-based access and towards functional assessments would create uncertainty for many people with life-limiting illness. 

“People with terminal illness often have complex needs that can change quickly,” he said. 

“The NDIS can provide very important support for some people in this group, but it will never meet the needs of everyone. That is why reform must also address the longstanding gap in supports outside the Scheme – so the NDIS is not the only lifeboat in the ocean.” 

Palliative Care Australia is calling on governments to work with the palliative care sector on the design of alternative systems of functional support for people with disability linked to life-limiting illness who cannot access the NDIS. 

“This is an opportunity to build a better and more coordinated response, including through a new system of Foundational Supports and stronger supports through mainstream health systems,” Mr Fear said. 

“We want to sit down with government and contribute constructively to that work.” 

Mr Fear said the palliative care peak body would be advocating strongly on several key issues as the reform process progresses. 

“First, people with terminal illness must not be left in limbo as access pathways change,” he said. 

“Second, people whose health is deteriorating quickly need to have their support needs met rapidly, regardless of which system is delivering that support.  

“Third, clarifying the boundaries between the NDIS and mainstream services must lead to better coordination of care, and not more gaps, confusion or cost-shifting between systems. 

“If we don’t get this right, more patients will be stranded in hospital, adding to those who can’t be safely discharged right now.”  

Mr Fear said the community must have confidence that people with life-limiting illness are not forgotten as major changes are made to the disability system.  

“We call on governments to confirm that this group will be a priority. People with life-limiting illness should not miss out on essential support because they do not fit neatly into one system, or because broader cost pressures are being felt elsewhere in the NDIS,” he said. 

“Our message is constructive, but clear: we are ready to work with government on practical solutions, and we will continue advocating for a system that responds with flexibility and compassion to people with terminal illness and their families.” 

One of two houses from The Block in Daylesford which remain unsold has had a price drop.

Han and Can’s House 2, 4 Cedar Lane, Daylesford had a reserve of $2,990,000 but was passed in with a vendor bid of $3.1m during filming last October. It is now on the market at $2.9m. Emma and Ben’s House 1 at 5 Cedar Lane, remains listed with a $3m-$3.3m guide in the statement of information.

Ballarat federal MP Catherine King has announced $14,800 for the Clunes Neighbourhood House for its Safe and Connected Rural Women program.

Safe & Connected Rural Women is a community-led initiative which will be facilitated by the Clunes Neighbourhood Centre in collaboration with WRISC Family Violence Support. Over a six-month period, women will co-design and test a community-led response to rural isolation.

Hepburn Shire Council is reporting a 30 per cent reduction in the number of active planning permit applications in the past six months.

CEO Bradley Thomas said the council had worked hard over the past few months to sharpen its planning service and ensure that the team has all the resources they need to deliver for the community. The council had 124 live permit applications at the end of March 2026, the lowest levels since pre-pandemic.

Birds and windows

Autumn in Daylesford is visually stunning. Where I live, the view is not the brilliant hues of the autumn leaves, but a bush scene with a magnificent manna gum, strikingly white after the natural shedding of the outer bark layer over summer.
The yellow box and grey box are looking refreshed after the recent rains and young wattles are producing vibrant new shoots in different shades of green.

The view I see from my window is the mirror image of the view the birds in the forest see when looking at my windows. This is why birds will fly, full on, into windows. They don’t see glass, it is invisible to them, but they certainly feel its hard surface.
Birds can sustain life-threatening injuries from flying into our windows. The degree of injury depends on physiological factors that are specific to different bird species.
Longer-billed birds can sustain damage to the brain stem, bigger birds will have more momentum and will hit the window harder than a smaller bird. An example of this is the image an owl left on a window it flew into with such force it left a full body image from the finer feathers, pictured. Small birds such as the honeyeaters and wrens have finer bones that can break when flying into a window.
Jon Rowdon from the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter says that common injuries are concussion and bruising on the brain. These injuries make it hard for a bird to perch on a branch or even look for food. Consequently, the bird will more easily be prey for other animals.
It can take a bird weeks to recover from these injuries and they must be kept quiet, calm and monitored regularly. So, if you see a bird that has been stunned or injured from flying into a window, phone the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter on 0409 380 327 or Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300.
We can make our windows visible to birds by putting patterns onto them; there are many products available for this purpose, but mainly the aim is to make the windows less transparent so that they won’t be reflecting an image of nature back to the birdlife.
Some ideas from Birdlife Australia include putting patterns on your windows using soap or clay and moving bird feeders and baths away from windows.

Dr Marita McGuirk is a field ecologist and environmental scientist, and a volunteer at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter. Marita writes monthly columns about the shelter and the animals it cares for. If you would like to donate or volunteer, or just to find out more information, head to www.hepburnwildlifeshelter.org

Image: Sandy Scheltema

Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas will quit politics at the forthcoming 2026 state election.

In a statement, Ms Thomas said representing the people of Macedon and serving as cabinet minister had been an incredible privilege.
“When Dan Andrews asked me to take on the health portfolio our health system was experiencing unprecedented challenges as a result of the Covid pandemic. I knew it would be hard. What I didn’t fully appreciate was how incredibly rewarding it would be.
“Every visit to a health service confirms that our healthcare workers, with their unparalleled skill, commitment and compassion are the beating heart of our world- class system. It has been a privilege to work with you.”
Ms Thomas said women’s rights were under attack from conservative political forces around the world.
“That’s why as Minister for Health, and more recently as Minister for Women, it has been an honour to deliver significant reforms to make Victoria better.”
They included establishing 20 women’s health clinics, a virtual, mobile and dedicated Aboriginal women’s health clinic, public fertility care, Urgent Care Clinics, and a virtual hospital.
Ms Thomas said other highlights included reforming Victoria’s nation-leading Voluntary Assisted Dying laws to ensure they kept pace with changes in other states and territories, as well as landmark legislation to protect children born with variations in their sex characteristics.
Ms Thomas, who also took on the role of Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development through Covid, said the electorate of Macedon was made up of small towns and tight-knit communities who were passionate about sport, great education and good secure jobs for their children, as well as protecting the unique features of the region.
“As local member, our government has delivered multimillion dollar redevelopments of each of our secondary schools, two brand new primary schools, and countless upgrades to schools right across the region.
“The Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct is the largest infrastructure project ever delivered in the Macedon Ranges and was made possible by state and federal governments backing in our local communities. It complements the many new and upgraded sports facilities, playgrounds, parks and skate parks across Macedon.”
Ms Thomas said the decision to leave politics had been tough.
“I have worked all my life for a better, fairer and more equal world, and my approach has always been to leave nothing in the tank. I realise that I can’t make that same commitment for another four years.”
Premier Jacinta Allan said Ms Thomas took on the health portfolio during a one-in-100-year pandemic “and has achieved so much for our public health system, always backing our dedicated and hard-working workforce”.
“As the Member for Macedon since 2014 she leaves government having made this state a better place.”
During her political career Ms Thomas has been: Minister for Health June 2022 – April 2026; Minister for Ambulance Services October 2023 – April 2026; Minister for Women December 2025 – April 2026; Minister for Health Infrastructure December 2022 – December 2024; Minister for Medical Research December 2022 – October 2023; Minister for Ambulance Services June 2022 – December 2022; Minister for Agriculture December 2020 – June 2022; and Minister for Regional Development December 2020 – June 2022.
Before her election to parliament, Ms Thomas was a teacher, unionist, and a public, private and non-government organisation sector executive.
Ms Thomas’s move to Macedon in 2014 was not without controversy.
In February that year, a petition calling for her removal was signed by more than 85 per cent of ALP members in the electorate.
The petition came after Ms Thomas’s preselection ahead of former federal MP and Trentham resident Christian Zahra, who received 81 per cent of votes taken in a local ballot.
In the 2014 election, Ms Thomas received 14,677 votes (38.67%) behind the Liberal Party’s Donna Petrovich who received 16,376 votes (43.15%). After the distribution of preferences Ms Thomas had 20,417 votes (53.79%) ahead of Ms Petrovich’s 17,538 votes (46.21%)

Above, retiring Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas

Words: Kyle Barnes & Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed
More at Just sayin’… page 21

Bullarto

An Anzac Day Service will be held at the Bullarto Public Hall on South Bullarto Road at 2pm. Due to the unpredictable weather the service will be held in the hall adjacent to the flag pole. The order of service is available on the day.

Kingston

Guest speaker is Ruth Ord Evans, the great-grand niece of Sister Margaret Anderson (1871-1967) who is honoured on the Avenue of Honour with Tree East 141. The service starts at 9am, assemble at the Cenotaph at 8.45am. People are then invited to the Commercial Hotel for a cuppa and to view the Kingston Remembers Resource Centre.

Creswick

Dawn Service at 5.40am – assemble at the Cenotaph for a 5.50am start, followed by the Gunfire Breakfast in the Senior Citizens Centre.
Service at 9.30am at the Soldiers’ Graves at the Creswick Cemetery, 141 Clunes Road.
Service 10am at the Memorial Stones, RSL Hall, 60 Albert Street.
March assembly at 10.15am at the Splash Park. March commences at 10.30am followed by the Anzac Day Service at the Creswick Cenotaph.
2UP at 12.30pm at the front of the RSL Hall.

Daylesford

Dawn Service at 6.30am at the Cenotaph.
Service at 10.30 at the Cenotaph after the march steps off at 10.15am.
The unveiling of the newly installed WWI Memorial will take place at 1pm just to the west of the East Street, Daylesford roundabout outside Middleton Fields.
(The Local will run a feature on the creation of the Memorial in the next edition, May 4. Congratulations to all involved.)

Hepburn

Service at 8am at the Hepburn Memorial, Park Avenue.

Eganstown

Service at 9am at the Eganstown Memorial in Old Main Road.

Kyneton

Dawn Service at the Cenotaph at 6am, followed by Gunfire Breakfast.
Parade at 9.30am followed by 9.45am ceremony at the Kyneton Cenotaph.

When Luke Torpy and Travis Offer started their Ambulance Victoria (AV) careers 10 years ago, they never would have pictured celebrating the decade milestone working a shift together as Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics.

The duo, now based at AV’s Ballarat branch, commenced their graduate paramedic induction together on April 18, 2016.

Five years later, Luke completed further study and on-road training to become a MICA paramedic. Recently, Travis did the same, starting his on-road training as a MICA intern with Luke as his clinical instructor.

“We thought, what are the chances! We started on the job together and now here we are, working on the MICA unit together as well. And it so happened that we were rostered on together on the day of our 10-year anniversary,” Luke said.

For Travis, having Luke as his clinical instructor has helped ease some nerves as he hits the road for the first time with the higher skillset of an AV MICA paramedic.

“I was motivated by the clinical challenge of MICA and interested in the expanded skillset and ability to treat more critically unwell patients,” Travis said.

“Luke and I have hit the ground running, attending a few critically unwell patients. Having a familiar face there with me has been reassuring and helped me feel more comfortable.”

One of those critical cases occurred on the pair’s anniversary shift, when they attended a patient who required rapid sequence intubation, a highly skilled procedure where a patient is placed into medically induced unconsciousness so paramedics can manage their airway.

“As far as MICA cases go, performing rapid sequence intubation is one of our most challenging clinical skills and is only performed on critically unwell patients,” Luke explained.

“Travis and I were standing together at the end of this night shift watching the air ambulance helicopter fly away with our patient and it was a moment to reflect on where we both are in the job and our roles within AV.

“It was really nice that we were able to provide that high quality MICA care to a patient on our 10-year anniversary.”

Luke set out for a career in healthcare by studying a nursing and paramedicine degree. Describing himself as a kind-hearted person, he said he was drawn to a role where he could help others and engage with the community.

After completing university paramedicine placements, he realised it was the career path for him and early on had his eye on MICA.

Luke worked as a graduate paramedic at AV’s Wendouree branch, before moving to Ararat where he was based until he qualified as a MICA paramedic and relocated to the Ballarat branch.

“I was so excited to start my career in ambulance and almost in disbelief – I remember looking in the mirror in my AV uniform going, ‘I can’t believe I’m a paramedic’,” Luke said.

“To look at myself in the mirror now in my MICA uniform, knowing that was a really big goal of mine when I first started, it’s really special. I just think, wow, look what I’ve achieved in these 10 years.

“I still love the job, I love going out to patients and supporting other crews out there on the road.”

Travis completed his graduate paramedic program in Geelong, then spent time at AV branches in Stawell and Ballan before undertaking his MICA studies.

“I knew I wanted a job in healthcare and paramedicine appealed to me because every day is different and you’re out and about interacting with the community. I’m quite proud to have reached 10 years in ambulance,” Travis said.

Ballarat MP Catherine King has announced that Hepburn Shire Council is receiving $1,064,700 from the Federal Government’s Black Spot program to realign the Albert and Howe streets (Midland Highway) intersection.

The council has been advocating for funding to provide long-term safety improvements to the intersection since a fatal collision took place in 2023.

The funding will allow council to close off the intersection at Albert Street and the Midland Highway to create a new green community activation space.

This was one of four options presented to the public during a consultation period between July and August in 2025.

After carefully considering community feedback as well as expert advice, the council made the decision to apply for funding that would see Albert Street closed to through traffic, creating a court bowl and formalising parking to service adjacent businesses.

Mayor Cr Tony Clark said it was a great outcome for the Hepburn Shire and would greatly benefit the community.

“I’m proud to acknowledge the crucial funding that makes this project possible. This fully funded project will see the intersection at Albert Street and Midland Highway closed to create a vibrant new green space.

“This will enhance safety, provide easier access to the trading area, and deliver more open space for everyone. It aligns with council’s strategic goals in Future Hepburn, and now, with funding secured, we will move to progress detailed design and prepare to tender construction and will keep working closely with residents and businesses throughout the process.”

Hepburn Shire Council will continue to engage with the community and nearby businesses to achieve outcomes that support economic growth and expand shared local spaces.

To read more about the project, visit Participate Hepburn.

To read more about the Federal Government’s Black Spot program, visit Black Spot Program.

Volunteers from Breaze and Hepburn Energy who have electrified their home are offering consultations free from cost or obligation.

The closest to Hepburn Shire is at the Moorabool Landcare Festival (Ballan Library) on Saturday, May 16 from 10am to 3pm. The consultations explain rebates and how to identify the best products. Bookings: www.breaze.org.au/ceep

A Trentham Cemetery Walk will be held on Sunday, May 3 at noon and 2pm.

Learn about Trentham’s history by viewing grave sites with a member of the Trentham and Districts Historical Society. Cost is $15. Meanwhile, a Trentham Town Walk will also be held on Sunday, May 3 from 11am. Discover the stories of Trentham – a guided tour through history. Take a tour of the town’s historic sites and hear about the town’s gold rush fortunes, farming and forestry. Cost is $15. Tickets: Trentham Historical Society website.

An Evening with Lisa Wilkinson will be held at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Castlemaine on Friday, May 8 from 7pm.
Lisa will discuss her new book and epic tale, The Titanic Story of Evelyn.

This is the never-before-told true story of Evelyn Marsden, a brave Australian nurse who was the only Australian-born survivor of the sinking of the Titanic.
It is an unforgettable story of the best and worst of humanity, a snapshot of a moment in history and a celebration of courage and resilience.
Lisa will be at the Daylesford Convent for High Tea on Saturday, May 9 from 11.30am.
The event includes a glass of bubbles on arrival, high tea and conversation followed by the opportunity to have a book signed.
A Member of the Order Of Australia, as well as a multi Walkley award-nominated and Logie award-winning journalist, Lisa has been one of Australia’s most admired and respected media personalities for more than four decades.
At just 21, Lisa became the youngest editor ever appointed to take charge of a national magazine, Dolly, and managed to quickly triple circulation during the four years of her leadership. She was then headhunted by Kerry Packer to become editor of the iconic Cleo magazine.
More recently she has hosted breakfast television and The Project. She wrote her first book in 2021, the memoir, It Wasn’t Meant To Be Like This.

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed

The Edgy Veg Awards are on until April 30.
The Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander shires are buzzing as the Edgy Veg Awards hit the home straight, inviting locals and visitors alike to taste their way through innovative and seasonal plant-based dining.

With venues across Kyneton, Woodend, Mount Macedon and Gisborne – as well as Mount Alexander Shire – dishing up creative, veg-forward meals, the month-long competition is well underway – and momentum is building.
Participating venues across the Macedon Ranges are stepping up with inventive offerings from smoky comfort dishes to fresh, vibrant plates that challenge expectations.
Woodend venues Woodend Cellar and Bar, The Victoria Hotel, Sizzler Restobar, Paysanne Café, McQueens Woodfired Pizza, Hanging Rock Café, Holgate Brewhouse and 600 Above have embraced the challenge.
Venues across Gisborne, Riddells Creek and Mount Macedon, too: Bowl’d, Macedon Ranges Wholefoods, Mt Macedon Trading Post and 3 Little Pigs Café, have been serving up inventive veg-rich dishes, drawing in curious food lovers and regulars alike.
Diners are encouraged to visit multiple venues, cast their votes and help crown the region’s most vegelicious dishes.
The initiative is run by Veg Action and supported by Healthy Loddon Campaspe, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Mount Alexander Shire Council, RT Edgar, Snap Fitness and Community Bank Gisborne & District.
With the competition running until the end of April, there’s still plenty of time to join in. Whether people are committed vegetarians or just veg-curious, the Edgy Veg Awards offer a perfect excuse to explore the region, support local hospitality, and enjoy a guilt-free culinary adventure.
See the full range of vegelicious options and plan your tasting schedule at www.edgyvegawards.com.au/