Pets and larger animals such as horses need to be included in farm and household fire planning, to ensure both people and animals are as safe as possible during an emergency.
Agriculture Victoria Veterinary Officer Dr Lee Manning said having a clear fire plan will help horse owners to establish their priorities and give them time to practice their plan, especially if it includes floating horses to a safer location before high-risk days.
‘Owners should prepare a ‘safer’ area for horses – this area should be as large as possible with minimal pasture and vegetation length and secure boundary fencing. Ideally include a dam or secure water source not reliant on electric pumps,’ Dr Manning said.
‘Internal gates can be opened for more space but horses need to be taught they can move through freely so they can escape even when highly stressed.
‘On high fire danger days move horses to your ‘safer’ area and take all gear off them, so they are free to move if you aren’t home during an emergency. Rugs get tangled, halters get hot and burn and fly veils may melt so being naked gives your horse the best chance of survival.’
If you plan to leave early with your horses, be aware they take extra time. Ideally leave in the morning before a fire event is unfolding. Arrange now where you could go to – do not assume the Pony Club or showgrounds will be open or in a safe area.
Dr Manning said it is not realistic to evacuate horses with little notice, so have contingency plans, such as a ‘safer’ area, that all members of the house know and have practiced.
‘Horses ‘flight’ instincts will be to run away from the danger of fire, and if cornered their ‘fight’ instinct will have them gallop through flames if necessary.’
‘Unfortunately, this ‘fight’ instinct will also have them gallop through you if you try to be with them, so please leave them free to run and survive alone.’
After a fire check all horses for burns, smoke inhalation, eye irritation and leg injuries. First aid for equine burns is very similar to people – hose them with clean, cool water for at least ten minutes and call a veterinarian immediately for advice.
Please consult your local CFA for local fire behaviour and weather patterns and develop your household fire plan and trigger points for actioning it with your animals included.
Further information can be found at https://go.vic.gov.au/46KMngC

Over the coming months, additional funding will boost the capacity of the Ballarat Medicare Urgent Care Clinic with additional funding to employ additional staff in periods of high demand. The funding will also improve existing services, including enhancements to their pathology collection.

By increasing the capacity of the Ballarat Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, even more local patients will be able to receive free, high-quality urgent care, taking pressure off the emergency department at the Ballarat Base Hospital.

Since opening in 31 October 2022, there have been over 56,000 visits to the Ballarat Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

The largest proportion of patients to the Ballarat Medicare Urgent Care Clinic have been children, with over 1 in 4 visits from people aged under 15 years old.

More than 1 in 4 visits have taken place on the weekend, and of the visits that took place on weekdays, over 1 in 3 have taken place at 5pm or later.

Along with cheaper medicines and more bulk billing support for GP visits, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are strengthening the health system.

The Ballarat Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is ensuring that people living in and around Ballarat can get the healthcare they need, when they need it and close to home.

Located at Level 1, 1010 Sturt Street, the Ballarat Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is open 9am until 11pm every day of the year.

Link: ufsmedical.com.au/mucc

Ballarat MP Catherine King said the local Medicare Urgent Care Clinic provided a critical service to countless Ballarat families and patients.

“This new funding will allow it to expand both its workforce and services. With Christmas coming soon and the inevitable accidents and illnesses that can bring, this uplift in funding will ensure the staff and clinic can continue to provide our community with excellent care and peace of mind.”

Tracy Beaton has been appointed the Principal Commissioner of the Commission for Children and Young People  (CCYP), from today, December 22.

Ms Beaton brings more than 35 years of experience as a clinical practitioner and academic, with a strong record of improving child protection systems and delivering better outcomes for children, young people and families.

She has served as Chief Practitioner and Executive Director of the Office of Professional Practice at the former Department of Health and Human Services, where she provided strategic advice and delivered reforms to strengthen child welfare and embed evidence‑based practice.

During her time in the role, Ms Beaton oversaw the design and implementation of an enhanced response pilot project with Victoria Police that reduced the sexual exploitation of children. She also led a workforce strategy that delivered a substantial increase in the number of child protection practitioners.

Before that, Ms Beaton was Victoria’s Chief Mental Health Nurse for seven years, introducing Safewards into mental health hospital settings to reduce occupational violence and contributing to the development of the state’s Mental Health Act.

In her most recent role, Ms Beaton provided expert advice on child safeguarding initiatives as Associate Partner and Chief Clinical Officer at EY. She has supported organisations with analysis of the Child Safe Standards and redesigned and implemented a new operating model for the Reportable Conduct Scheme.

She has also held the role of Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Health Sciences at La Trobe University and contributed her expertise in mental health and child protection to a number of publications.

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said the Commission for Children and Young People played a vital role in driving continuous improvement to keep Victorian children safe and supported.

“Tracy has decades of experience in child protection and mental health and will bring strong leadership and expertise to the Commission as they work to deliver better outcomes for children and young people.”

Macedon Ranges communities will benefit from a secure, centralised method of accepting emergency-related donations, through a collaboration led by Council and Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises (MRCE).
The emergency relief fund has been established within the Community Enterprise Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bendigo Bank, and will channel donations from the public into projects that address community needs and priorities.
The fund is governed by an appeal committee, comprising representatives from Council, MRCE, and local health and emergency recovery organisations. The committee can activate an appeal for donations for any emergency event where community members are significantly impacted (not dependent on the declaration of a ‘declared emergency’).
Funds raised will be distributed to affected communities in a timely, considered and coordinated way, mitigating the chance of opportunistic scams and targeting support to the areas that matter most during and after an emergency.
CEO of MRCE, Jo-ann Irwin, said that the emergency relief fund will ensure any donations received in response to an emergency will be responsibly managed to ensure maximum community benefit.
“When emergencies happen, people want to help. This appeal gives them a trusted way to do that, so help can flow quickly to affected communities,” she said.
Council’s Mayor Kate Kendall said the initial concept for this appeal was instigated in 2015 following the identified need for somewhere that people and businesses could donate to a community after an emergency.
“Thankfully, our local appeal hasn’t yet been activated in the Macedon Ranges, but since its initial conception, the model has spread around Victoria and Australia, most notably used after large bushfires including the Black Summer bushfires in 2019-20,” Mayor Kendall said.
“The renewal and relaunch of this appeal in the Macedon Ranges will hold us in good stead for future emergencies, where there may be an urgent need for short or long-term support and where people – whether local or otherwise – just want to contribute in some way.”
The Terms of Reference for the Macedon Ranges Community Response Appeal Committee were finalised this month. The committee will sit as part of a recovery subcommittee of the Macedon Ranges Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee.
MRCE operates Community Bank Gisborne & District, a franchise of Bendigo Bank, and is a volunteer-led, profit-for-purpose, accredited social enterprise, giving back 80% of profits back to the Macedon Ranges community.

Key items considered and endorsed at the December 2025 Macedon Ranges Council Meeting included:
Draft Biodiversity Strategy for consultation: Council endorsed the release of this updated draft Strategy for community consultation, which will run from 18 December 2025 through to 15 February 2026 – an extended consultation period, considering the upcoming festive season/school holidays.
The refreshed Strategy, which updates Council’s strategy adopted in 2018, responds to legislative changes and is informed by earlier community feedback (about 90 submissions). It focuses on protecting our shire’s unique native plants and animals, improving habitat connectivity, and empowering and educating the community to contribute to positive biodiversity outcomes.
Have your say by visiting yoursay.mrsc.vic.gov.au/biodiversity-strategy-refresh
Draft Open Space Strategy consultation outcomes: Council noted the feedback received from recent community consultation on this draft Strategy, which aims to provide strategic direction for the planning, management and delivery of public open space for the next 10 years.
Feedback was invited from Saturday 4 October (supported by a stall at the Woodend Community Farmers’ Market) and concluded on Monday 3 November 2025, with 30 written submissions and 51 online survey responses received. This feedback included a majority support for the draft plan overall; requests to upgrade particular facilities; and other comments summarised in the Agenda report.
A report will be presented at the March 2026 Council Meeting to consider the final draft Open Space Strategy for adoption.
Onsite Wastewater Management Plan 2025 – 2030: Council adopted this Plan, which was informed by two earlier stages of community consultation and more than 30 public submissions overall, in addition to being supported by key water authorities.
The Plan sets out a risk-based framework for the regulation, monitoring and management of onsite wastewater systems across the shire and supports Council’s statutory obligations under environmental and public health legislation.
The adopted Plan will be uploaded and available to view in full at mrsc.vic.gov.au/strategies-plans
Advocacy Projects Prospectus 2026: Council endorsed a suite of projects to prioritise when it comes to advocacy for external funding, to be designed and outlined in the new Advocacy Projects Prospectus 2026.
Council has a strong track record of identifying and applying for relevant grants to partner with external stakeholders – such as the Australian and Victorian governments – and delivering projects that are of real benefit to the community, as well as supporting key strategic Council priorities.
This new Prospectus includes advocacy priorities such as pushing for Victorian Government accountability on existing commitments or areas of its responsibility; prioritising local roads; protecting our wildlife and enhancing biodiversity; and progressing the outcomes from key master plans.
When fully designed, this Prospectus will be available to view at mrsc.vic.gov.au/Advocacy
Draft Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy: Council endorsed this new Policy, which covers AI use at Council in supporting innovation, efficiency and service quality improvements, while also providing guidance and guardrails on supported and prohibited use, governance, monitoring and reporting, compliance, risk, and ethical standards.
Through the creation of this Policy, which was requested at the July 2025 Council Meeting, Council established an AI Working Group to support the implementation and adoption of AI tools across Council, and also drew from the organisation’s existing internal AI Guidelines and Protocols.
The adopted Policy will be uploaded and available to view in full at mrsc.vic.gov.au/policies
Planning permits: Council considered and made decisions on several planning-related matters, including:
• supporting a permit for the use and development of a fire station at 180 Main Road in Riddells Creek;
• refusing a permit for a 9-lot subdivision at 33 Mount St Marys Lane in Kyneton;
• supporting a permit for the use and development of animal husbandry (grazing animal production and others) at 101 Jim Road in Newham;
• refusing a permit for the use and development of a freeway service centre at Romsey Road in Woodend;
• supporting the amendment of a permit and a Section 173 Agreement for a 22-lot resubdivision relating to 9 Trenchard Street/36 Sullivans Road in Woodend.
The reasonings and discussions behind these decisions can be found in the meeting Agenda and via the meeting recording on Council’s website: mrsc.vic.gov.au/meetings
Additionally, other items were endorsed to:
• honour the life of the late former Councillor Christine Walker, by publicly consulting on a proposal to rename the recently completed Clarke Street footbridge in Mount Macedon after her;
• set out the monthly Council Meeting dates for 2026, generally on the second-last or last Wednesday of the month at 7pm (except for the December 2026 meeting, to be held on 16 December 2026), as well as scheduling a Submitters Delegated Committee Meeting to hear from Budget 2026-27 submitters online on 4 February 2026;
• award 2 grants through the Small Project Grants program (Romsey Men’s Shed and Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network); award 4 grants to support respectful community-driven
events on or around 26 January through the Australia Day Grants program; and endorse updated guidelines for the annual Environment Grant program.
Petitions were received in relation to:
• the Riddells Creek Men’s Shed obtaining a lease on a small area of land within the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve; and
• a request for Council to enforce the maintenance of fences along Tullohs Lane in Sidonia to allow the movement of stock and vehicles.
Reports in response to these petitions will be tabled at the March 2026 Council Meeting.
Meanwhile, reports responding to two past petitions were also tabled, with Council noting:
• In relation to calls to keep private pedestrian gates between Gemlife and Sullivans Road Reserve in Woodend, Council does not endorse these for environmental and other reasons (breaching the endorsed fence plan). These private gates have since been removed, with Council satisfied with the two shared pedestrian access points in place.
• In relation to calls for the development of a master plan for Rangeview Park at Riddells Creek, Council does not support this approach because as a ‘local park’, it would be inconsistent with Council’s adopted open space planning framework.
A Notice of Motion was also carried in relation to Council’s stance on resource recovery – specifically to write to the Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos MP, the Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos MP, Local Member for Macedon Mary Anne Thomas MP, and Head of Recycling Victoria Tony Circelli, to highlight Council’s in-principle support for the introduction of standardised bin contents across Victoria, but to also outline a number of requests to support sensible FOGO use and the ongoing higher diversion of waste to landfill.
Link: www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/meetings

The free Apprentice Helpdesk is proving a valuable support tool for apprentices and trainees.

There have been 1,500 calls to the helpdesk since its launch in June, providing support with training, work and personal challenges.

The helpdesk is a free phone and online service for apprentices and trainees, their parents and employers. It is staffed by specially trained Case Support Officers who provide information, guidance and referrals.

The helpdesk Case Support Officers are actively providing practical guidance on the top three issues raised by apprentices: pay, conditions and finding employment.

In addition to the helpdesk, the Apprentice Support Officer program provides one-on-one support to apprentices across the state. The Apprentice Support Officer program has supported more than 169,100 apprentices since it began.

Apprentices and trainees can also access free counselling through the Apprentice Employee Assistance Program, which provides confidential short-term support for mental health and personal issues, difficult workplace situations and financial concerns.

The Apprentice Helpdesk is available from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Contact 1300 311 820 or apprenticehelpdesk@djsir.vic.gov.au.

Victorians will now be able to get more conditions treated at the chemist – with the expansion of the Chemist Care Now program.

With consultations remaining free, busy families will now be able to seek treatment for the common skin infection impetigo, known as ‘school sores’ – making it easier to get their kids the care they need. 

Access to affordable and convenient care for Victorian women will be strengthened, with the addition of two new hormonal contraceptives options – the injectable depot and the vaginal ring – available for resupply, without needing a prescription.

Women experiencing menopause will also benefit, with pharmacists able to provide a resupply of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) without a prescription later next year.

Over the next two years, Chemist Care Now will grow to include 22 treatments for common health conditions – with participating pharmacists able to undertake short-form training to deliver each new service.

It builds on the existing program which currently offers treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, skin conditions such as shingles, travel vaccines including hepatitis A and B, and the resupply of the contraceptive pill.

The program has delivered more than 66,000 services at more than 800 pharmacies across Victoria since the pilot began.

The Graduate Certificate of Pharmacist Prescribing at Monash University is a new training pathway for more pharmacists to participate.

The course is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council and adds to courses developed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and other training organisations.

To find a participating pharmacy, please visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/about-chemist-care-now.

The state government is helping more Victorians break the cycle of disadvantage and get back into work or training.

Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney recently visited the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association in Braybrook and Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services in Melton to announce a $48 million investment to extend the innovative Reconnect program until 2029.

Reconnect is designed for people who face complex barriers to education and employment, including young people impacted by the justice system, young people in insecure housing, early school leavers and people experiencing long-term unemployment.

The program offers tailored, one-on-one support services such as counselling, mentoring, housing support, health and wellbeing services, education opportunities, career guidance and employability skills.

Since the program began in 2016, Reconnect has provided life-changing support to more than 15,000 people, with many transitioning into further study, completing pre-accredited and accredited training, and achieving sustainable employment.

The Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association offers pre-accredited and vocational training such as English language skills, digital skills and courses in childcare and aged care. From 2021 to 2024 they delivered Reconnect services to 200 people, with 93 per cent engaging in training.

Djerriwarrh Employment and Education Services provided Reconnect services to more than 300 people from 2021 to 2024, many of whom are asylum seekers. Through the program, almost 86 per cent engaged in training, developing critical English language, numeracy and digital skills.

To learn more about the Reconnect program, visit www.vic.gov.au/reconnect-program

The state government is backing Victorian homeowners with stronger protections to provide greater confidence in the building industry.

Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing recently opened consultation on strong new powers to give the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) the teeth it needs to prevent building defects and protect consumers when they need it most.

The proposed reforms include:

• Rectification Orders – requiring dodgy builders to fix substandard work up to 10 years in the past.
• A first-resort warranty scheme ensuring consumers are covered when they need it most, not once they’ve exhausted all other options.
• A developer bond scheme for apartments similar to a rental bond and paid by developers to safeguard buyers in multi-unit developments.

Most builders take great pride in delivering safe, high-quality homes for Victorian families – but when things go wrong, consumers can face lengthy and costly processes to resolve issues.

These initiatives are a game-changer for Victorian consumers – boosting confidence for anyone buying, building, or purchasing a home off-the-plan.

The Department of Transport and Planning has now released a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) outlining options to implement the BPC’s new powers.

Victorians are invited to have their say on the RIS on before Friday, 30 January 2026 at engage.vic.gov.au.

New figures show a 14 per cent reduction in hot-car call-outs across Victoria, and while Ambulance Victoria (AV) thanks the community for its vigilance, paramedics warn the danger remains life-threatening as temperatures climb.

Over the past 12 months, AV responded to more than a thousand reports of people left in vehicles between December 2024 and November 2025. Matt Coomber, Ambulance Victoria’s State Manager – Regional Emergency Management said the decrease was encouraging, but the numbers still show a disturbing trend.

“A parked vehicle can become deadly in minutes. Never leave kids or elderly people in cars, even for a moment,” Matt said.

“Inside a car, the temperature can double in minutes. That rapid rise can cause serious injury or death long before help arrives.

“Children are especially vulnerable because their body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult.”

Matt said many incidents occur in everyday situations where distractions or quick mistakes lead to a child being unintentionally locked in a vehicle.

“We know accidents happen. Keys get bumped, doors shut unexpectedly and children can play with locks,” he said.

“Always take children with you when you leave the car, keep keys with you and stay alert when loading or unloading family members.

“And if a child or anyone else becomes trapped, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Seconds matter.”

Kidsafe Victoria CEO Sarah Sexton said families often underestimate how fast conditions inside a vehicle can escalate.

“The temperature inside a parked car can be 20-30 degrees hotter than outside, meaning even on a day in the low twenties, a vehicle can become dangerously hot within minutes,” she said.

“Leaving a window open has little effect on the temperature inside a parked car. It’s important to always take your children with you – every single time – and never give the keys to your child to play with.”

Sarah said most hot-car emergencies occur close to home and can happen to any family, regardless of experience or intention, with keys sometimes being inadvertently locked inside the vehicle.

“It takes only a brief distraction or a quick stop for a child to be in serious danger, and the consequences can be tragic.”

With warmer conditions forecast across Victoria and sustained heat expected in some regional centres, AV says the risk of hot-car emergencies is rising and the message remains critical.

High temperatures increase the risk of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can become life-threatening if not treated early.

To stay safe in the heat, Victorians are encouraged to drink water regularly throughout the day, keep cool using fans or air conditioning where possible, wear a hat and sunscreen, and avoid being outdoors during the hottest part of the day.

This summer’s hot car data

Annual comparative AV data on people left in vehicles

(1 December 2024 – 30 November 2025)

Paramedics were called to 1048 cases of people locked in cars from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025. This is compared to 1211 cases from 1 December 2023 – 30 November 2024.

Most of the call-outs were in the summer months. 33 per cent – or 346 cases – were between 1 December 2024 and 28 February 2025.

December 2024 had the most cases (127), dropping to 65 cases in July 2025.

Of the cases where a child’s age was recorded (<13 years old), toddlers aged one to three years old made up the largest group, representing 67 per cent of identified child cases.

For children under 13, 11am and 4pm were the busiest times of the day for locked in car call-outs.

The Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) – Australia’s largest housing and transport project – will slash travel times and cut congestion for families, while building 70,000 homes around six new stations within walking distance of jobs, healthcare, green open spaces and the largest universities.

Funding the Suburban Rail Loop

The state government is building the Suburban Rail Loop in partnership with the federal government. As outlined in the SRL Business and Investment Case, the project will be funded equally through three streams: Victorian Government funding, Commonwealth Government funding and value capture.

The SRL precincts will become highly attractive locations for people to live and work in. Value capture means those who will financially benefit from the SRL – such as those developing property or whose land value has increased through rezoning decisions – will help to proportionately contribute to the cost of the project.

There will be five value capture mechanisms and none will apply to the family home. These are: existing land and windfall gains tax in the local area, infrastructure contributions, a car parking levy from 2035 on car park owners, and state-initiated development.

Land tax and windfall tax settings will not change. There is no increase. The revenue will stay local. Land tax and windfall gains tax in SRL East precincts will fund SRL East construction. 

From 1 January 2027, the SRL Infrastructure Contributions Plan levy will apply to new property developments in the six SRL precincts. The levy will be a one-off payment that will be applied in phases as construction progresses and the SRL begins to operate.

Initially, the rate paid in the SRL Structure Plan areas will be the same as that being introduced around more than 50 train stations across Melbourne. It is paid by a developer or landowner when they increase the number of dwellings on a site – for example, if a single home is turned into a block of apartments.

From 2035 when the SRL is complete, a car parking levy – which already applies to off-street car parks in inner Melbourne – will be introduced. This levy applies to car park owners, not motorists who pay to use a car park. It will not apply to residential parking and there will be exemptions for businesses offering free visitor parking.

State-initiated development is where the state generates revenue by developing land that it owns for residential or commercial investments. Victoria will explore potential projects once SRL Structure Plans are finalised next year.

The Suburban Rail Loop: backing Victorian jobs and building new Victorian trains

The government is backing Victorian jobs, awarding the largest SRL contract to build the state’s first-ever fleet of automated trains in Dandenong – helping to slash travel times across Melbourne’s suburbs.

Global consortium TransitLinX has been selected to deliver the $6.7 billion Linewide package and build 13 four carriage automated trains in Dandenong – marking the first time these trains have been manufactured in Australia.

TransitLinX – to be known as the Linewide Alliance – brings together industry leaders John Holland, RATP Dev, Alstom, KBR and WSP. They have global and local experience on world-class projects including Paris Metro, Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel and Sydney Metro Northwest.

The new automated trains will be accessible, and the carriages will have seating along the walls to create more space for passengers in peak periods. They will also have the capacity to be fitted with luggage storage so that future passengers can easily travel with luggage when SRL connects to Melbourne Airport.

Using a world-class communication-based train control system, the high-tech trains will be able to ‘talk’ to each other and the operational control centre, removing the need for traditional railway signals.

The Linewide Alliance will build the systems needed to operate the SRL, including signalling, platform screen doors and passenger information displays. All infrastructure and stations will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy – with energy regenerated during train braking used to power other trains across the SRL network.

The contract will create more than 500 jobs during construction, support more than 300 small-to-medium sized businesses across the supply chain, and generate hundreds more jobs once the SRL opens – covering construction of the stabling yard and operations centre in Heatherton, along with a 15-year term to operate the network.

Construction on the SRL powers ahead, with the 78-tonne TBM cutterhead on site in Heatherton, the first of eight TBMs that will carve 26km of twin tunnels from Cheltenham to Box Hill – with tunnelling starting next year.

The Linewide package is the fourth major contract to be awarded, with work well underway on both tunneling packages, the SRL remains on time and on budget.

More than 3,000 Victorians are working across all station sites as major construction ramps up ahead of tunnel boring machines launching next year, with trains taking passengers in 2035.

Rural women are being empowered to step into leadership roles – providing the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to support the next generation of Victoria’s farmers.

Applications are now open for the Victorian Rural Women’s Network 2025/2026 Leadership and Mentoring Program, helping more women take part in professional development to increase their ability to influence their sector.

Since its foundation in 1986, the Network has played a pivotal role in increasing the number of women in agricultural leadership roles as one of only a few leadership programs in Australia tailored for women in the sector.

The 2026 cohort will receive mentorship and leadership training from highly skilled leaders from both industry and government, equipping women with the skills, confidence and networks needed to participate in leadership and decision-making – advancing gender equality, economic participation and empowerment.

It’s flagship Leadership and Mentoring Program offers participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding of sector challenges, examine barriers facing women leaders, build insight into government and industry decision-making and set purposeful goals for their leadership growth. 

Rural and regional women often experience lower economic security, greater vulnerability to financial shocks, and persistent underrepresentation in leadership. These challenges are particularly prevalent in agriculture, despite women making up approximately one third of the workforce.

Costs are covered for each participant, including a bursary towards accommodation, childcare, and travel costs in acknowledgement of the financial barriers that prevent many women from participating in leadership programs. 

To learn more about the program, including viewing the Program’s guidelines, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/networks/rural-womens-network

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has reappointed Chief Executive Officer Bernie O’Sullivan for a further three-and-a-half-year term. The decision was made during the Confidential (Closed) section of Wednesday night’s Scheduled Council Meeting.

Mayor Kate Kendall said the reappointment provides confidence, continuity and stability for the organisation as it progresses through the next Council term.
“Over the past five years, Bernie has led the organisation through a period of significant challenge and change, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a number of emergency events,” Mayor Kendall said. “His leadership has supported significant organisational cultural change, strong partner relationships and enhanced service delivery to our communities.”
“During his tenure, Council and the organisation have continued to advance a range of major projects and initiatives, including the Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct (Stage 1 and commencement of Stage 2), the Lancefield Children’s Centre, and investment in the local road network through funding secured from other tiers of government.”
“Important strategic work has also been progressed, including the development of structure plans for Gisborne and Romsey to guide their long-term growth, as well as securing the return of the Lost Trades Fair to the Macedon Ranges in 2026.”
“Council’s collective decision reflects confidence in the organisation’s leadership and provides an opportunity to continue working together with a shared focus on collaboration, stability and delivery,” Mayor Kendall said. “Council looks forward to continuing to work positively with Bernie and the organisation to deliver on the priorities of the new Council term and positive outcomes for the Macedon Ranges community.”
“Bernie’s local background and connection to the Macedon Ranges and Loddon Campaspe region positions him well in appreciating and responding to the opportunities and challenges facing our communities.”

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and the City of Ballarat have partnered to restore river and water habitats critical for platypus and other threatened species on the Yarrowee River in Sebastopol.

The works form part of the landmark $24 million ‘Platy Patch Project’, a four-year, statewide initiative receiving significant co-funding from the federal government, the state government and Melbourne Water.

Member for Ballarat Catherine King and Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison have visited the local project area, which spans the Yarrowee River in Sebastopol from Docwra Street to Bridge Street. 

The river has been facing pressure from urbanisation, including increased stormwater runoff, soil disturbance and bank erosion – factors that impact water quality and biodiversity.

Works will commence in early 2026 and include the large-scale removal of invasive tree species such as willows, desert ash and pine trees. These species restrict waterways, increase flood risks, displace native vegetation, and reduce habitat for platypus and other native species.

Woody weed removal and pest management will also be undertaken within the first year. 

Revegetation will occur across winter and spring of 2026 and 2027, using locally indigenous species to stabilise the riverbank, filter pollutants, and provide vital habitat corridors.

Platypus populations across Victoria are declining, with localised extinctions particularly in urban and agricultural landscapes. In 2021 the platypus was listed as Vulnerable under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Platypus were detected downstream of the Yarrowee Platy Patch site at Garibaldi during The Great Platypus Search in 2021.

The Yarrowee site is one of two Platy Patch sites managed by Corangamite CMA. The second is being delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong along the Moorabool and Barwon Rivers.

The Project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), with the support of One Tree Planted, City of Ballarat, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and other Catchment Management Authorities.

For more information about the Platy Patch Project visit: ccma.vic.gov.au/projects/platy-patch/

The state government has taken strong action to stamp out the rotten culture that has been exposed within the construction sector.

Minister for Industrial Relations Jaclyn Symes has announced that the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria (WIV) has launched the new Construction Complaints Referral Service, following reforms to the Labour Hire Legislation passing the Victorian Parliament.

This key action acquits the government’s response to the Wilson Review and gives enforcement bodies more powers to target criminal and unlawful conduct in the construction sector.

The referral service is now able to receive complaints – with the new law providing increased protection for people who provide information or make a complaint relating to public construction projects.

WIV’s referral service will provide a single doorway for receiving and assessing complaints and will ensure they are referred to the appropriate regulatory body. A new criminal offence of causing or threatening to cause detriment to a person who makes a complaint to WIV will protect complainants.

This builds on previous work of the government in implementing the Wilson recommendations, including the establishment of an Alliance of Victorian and Commonwealth regulators and agencies to share critical intelligence and further collaborate to address criminal or unlawful behaviour on Victorian construction sites.

New government policy and contractual requirements will also be introduced from 1 January 2026 that will require contractors on public construction projects to report criminal and unlawful behaviour. This delivers on Recommendation 7 of the Wilson Review and reinforces the State’s commitment to integrity in public construction.

The Government has also now passed legislation to strengthen the powers of Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority to enable them to better prevent those with links to criminal organisations from operating labour hire businesses. The reforms will:

• strengthen the test to determine who is a fit and proper person,
• more comprehensively define the coverage of when a business provides labour hire licensing,
• provide the Labour Hire Authority with stronger powers to require the production of documents and,
• enable the Labour Hire Authority to publish more information about licensing decisions.

An evaluation of the implementation of the Wilson recommendations will be undertaken two years from the commencement of the reforms.