Three local sports clubs are among others statewide that will share in more than $600,000 for their efforts in campaigning to eliminate road trauma in their communities.
The state governmentand Transport Accident Commission in recent days announced this year’s
recipients of the TAC Club Rewards program, incentivising grassroots clubs across the state
for showing a commitment to promoting road safety during the 2023 season.

In Macedon three clubs have been successful:
-Gisborne Giants Football Netball Club
-Lancefield Jnr Football Club
-Woodend Hesket Football Club

Delivered in partnership with AFL Victoria, 251 clubs will receive rewards of up to $10,000
through the program, the highest number of recipients in the program’s five years.
The program encourages clubs to engage with players, members and their communities on
key road safety issues and promote safe behaviours, with the dangers of distracted driving a
key focus of this year’s campaign.
Successful clubs are able to use the money for a range of initiatives including education programs, club transport initiatives, new equipment and uniforms and facility upgrades and improvements.
Distracted driving is one of the major causes of fatal and serious injury crashes on Victoria’s
roads and is particularly concerning on regional roads where people are travelling at higher speeds.
AFL Victoria-affiliated clubs from across the state were able to apply for the program by
showing how they supported road safety throughout the year, including taking part in the
TAC’s Road Safety Round ‘Band Together’ campaign.
The TAC Club Rewards Program is part of the TAC’s 31-year partnership with AFL Victoria, aiming to empower clubs to develop a culture where players and members are expected to be safe on the roads.

Macedon Ranges Shire residents are being encouraged to have a role in shaping the future of Gisborne, New Gisborne and surrounds and to give feedback on the revised draft of the Gisborne Futures Structure Plan.

Currently open for consultation through to Monday 13 November, this plan will guide Gisborne’s development over the next 30 years and will set a protected settlement boundary to protect the surrounding landscape from further outward growth.

The vision is for Gisborne and New Gisborne to become vibrant ‘twin villages’ with plans for future housing, jobs, open space, transport and community services. It aims to make sure new development aligns with local character, landscape and cultural heritage values.

The council’s Director Planning and Environment, Rebecca Stockfeld, said New Gisborne had the potential to be an exemplar of sustainable community development with homes, shops and jobs all within walking distance of each other.

“Plans for wide, tree-lined streets and safe walking and cycling paths are designed to encourage residents to leave their cars at home,” she said. “Importantly, a new community hub will be a focal point, providing much-needed gathering spaces and social services”.

This plan has been over five years in the making and along with invaluable contributions from the community, it draws on an extensive amount of research and background work.

“We had a fantastic response from the community when we last consulted on the draft Gisborne Futures plans in 2020,” Ms Stockfeld said. “This led to a list of actions that we have been working through, and we believe it now strikes the right balance between providing more diverse and affordable housing while protecting the surrounding landscapes from outward sprawl.”

The Gisborne Futures project comprises three key planning documents that will guide sustainable growth for the township ─ a structure plan, an urban design framework for the town centre and a neighbourhood character study.

“The draft structure plan is ready for consultation, and work is continuing on the urban design framework and neighbourhood character study in the background,” Ms Stockfeld said. “These will be made available for community feedback once the high-level direction in the structure plan is resolved.”

The consultation period is open for six weeks, to allow ample time for community members and stakeholders to review the plan and provide feedback.

“I encourage residents to have a look at the plan, and to come along to a drop-in session to speak with Council officers and discuss any aspect of the plans,” Ms Stockfeld said. “If you can’t make it to a drop-in session, please call us to arrange a meeting at a time that suits you.”

Drop-in sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Saturday 21 October, Gisborne Village Shopping Centre, 22 Brantome Street, Gisborne, 2–5pm
• Thursday 26 October, Gisborne Community Centre, 8a Hamilton Street, Gisborne, 4–7pm
• Thursday 2 November, Ross Watt Children’s Hall, 252 Station Road, New Gisborne, 4–7pm

Alternatively, visit the Gisborne Administration Centre at 40 Robertson Street, Gisborne on Thursday mornings (10am – 12pm) or Friday afternoons (2:30pm – 4:30pm) during the consultation period.

Feedback can be submitted via an online survey or a written submission.

Those interested can view the draft Gisborne Futures Structure Plan and supporting documents, find information about upcoming drop-in sessions or submit feedback at Have your say: Gisborne Futures Structure Plan.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council says it’s working closely with its insurance provider to prioritise replacing the flood-damaged Jacksons Creek footbridge in Gisborne.

A key pedestrian connection between Dixon Field and the Gisborne Botanic Gardens, the footbridge is closed for public safety following the October 2022 flood event.

The council’s Director Assets and Operations Shane Walden said council staff were pushing the insurance company to ensure the replacement of the footbridge as soon as practical.

“Council’s insurer assessed the bridge as beyond repair (or a ‘total loss’) as it has separated from its footings due to the flood waters,” Mr Walden said.

“These types of work are complex as they require site assessments, detailed designs and approvals from various authorities. Only after this is complete can construction work begin.

“We thank residents for their patience while we wait for the bridge replacement and understand people’s frustration at being unable to use the bridge as part of their walking activities in the area.”

The Jacksons Creek footbridge was one of many Council-owned assets impacted by flood damage. Council is working through insurance processes for those covered by insurance and seeking the necessary grant funding for others.

After some initial delays, preliminary works are underway, informing the new bridge design in line with current building standards. The bridge will be removed once discussions with key authorities are finalised.

The Gisborne Botanic Gardens are still accessible via the footbridge adjacent to the Gisborne Adventure Playground, via Frith Road or the pathway on the north side of Jacksons Creek. If travelling from Dixon Fields, a path along the south of Jacksons Creek links to the Adventure Playground and then over the bridge to the gardens.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council is inviting community feedback on a combined planning scheme amendment and planning application that would see a long-envisaged development of commercial land on Willowbank Road to service the needs of residents in Gisborne’s south.

The proponent-led application seeks to rezone vacant residential land at 101-105 Willowbank Road in
Gisborne to a small commercial zone, to provide localised shopping and services to a growth area
earmarked by Council for such a development since 2009.
Plans for the site include a small supermarket, a medical centre, office and two cafés, along with 57
car parking spaces. Sustainable features include on-site power generation through rooftop solar, use
of recycled materials, storm water capture and retention, and an electric vehicle charging station.
Council’s Director Planning and Environment, Rebecca Stockfeld, said the proposed development
would prioritise active transport such as walking and cycling, enabling residents to more easily access
basic shopping needs and reduce car dependency.
“A commercial offering has been a long-term strategic vision for this area,” she said. “Having localised
options will help service the needs of the growing population, complementing what Gisborne’s town
centre currently provides.”
The development would also complement existing services in the area, including physiotherapy and
osteopathy clinics and an early learning centre.
Plans for the proposal can be viewed at mrsc.vic.gov.au/your-say, or in-person at the council’s Gisborne
and Kyneton service centres. The closing date for submissions is 13 June.
The council says it will consider all submissions received and appoint an independent Planning Panel if
necessary, with a final decision regarding the amendment to be made by the Minister for Planning.