The Lancefield Mechanics Institute is getting set to host a special CWA exhibition next month.

Organisers say “an absolute celebration of creativity” is in store, along with a chance to catch up with friends and discuss favourites over a cuppa and a scone.

The CWA Central Highlands Group Creative Arts Exhibition will bring together CWA members from all over the region for the event taking place over April 12-13.

The Lancefield Mechanics Institute hall will be brimming with a wonderful display of art, craft, preserves and home cooking, organisers say ahead of next month’s exhibition.

“We’re offering home-made lunch or a cuppa and a scone in our cosy cafe area. While you’re visiting, take the chance to stock up on bargain craft supplies at our popular craft de-stash stall, and don’t forget to take home some preserves that have been lovingly made by our members.

“Join us for a weekend filled with creativity, community, and chat. Spread the word and invite your friends and family along for a lovely Autumn day out.”

Event Details:

Dates: April 12th & 13th

Location: Lancefield Mechanics Institute, 4 The Crescent, Lancefield

Time: Sat 12th: 10am – 4pm, Sun 13th: 10am – 3pm.

Awards Ceremony: Sat 12th, 11am

Cost to attend: $5 for adults, kids under 16 free.

Police have been preparing a report for the Coroner following the death of a Lancefield man at Lake Eppalock in Kimbolton.

The man and a woman went swimming with their two dogs in the lake, just off Ryan’s Road, about 7.45pm last Wednesday (Feburary 28).

It’s understood the man got into difficulty and disappeared under water.

The woman and two dogs returned to shore and raised the alarm.

Police carried out an extensive search on Wednesday night before resuming the search early last Thursday morning.

Sadly the 25-year-old Lancefield man’s body was recovered this morning by Search and Rescue divers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have been investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash that occurred in Lancefield on Sunday afternoon.

It’s believed a white four-wheel drive travelling north along Pyalong Road left the roadway and struck a tree just before 2.30pm.

A yet-to-be formally identified passenger (as at the most recent police report issued) died at the scene.

A second passenger was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the vehicle prior to the collision, with dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website online.

Early site works are set to begin this month to prepare for construction of a new kindergarten and
maternal and child health centre in Lancefield.

A planning permit has been approved for the project at 76A High Street, with the modern three-
room facility to be complemented by accessible and secure entries as well as a dedicated rear
playground area.

Early works will include the installation of temporary fencing, site clearing and levelling works, and
installing building footings and stumps. This will then pave the way for installation of the modular
buildings transported to site, building fit-outs, landscaping and all other required works.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Director Community Maria Weiss said the priority project for the council was expected to be operational by mid-2024.

“This project will provide many benefits for the community including increased kinder places for local
children, local maternal and child health services, and space for community-based and supported
playgroups,” she said.

“We’re grateful to many groups for collaborating with us to make this a reality including the Lancefield
Park Recreation Reserve’s Committee of Management, the neighbouring Men’s Shed and the
Lancefield Playgroup committee.”

“We look forward to seeing the project take shape and will continue to work closely with these key
stakeholders and others – including contractors, the neighbouring primary school, residents and current kinder families – to enable a smooth build and transition once the new centre opens.”

Key features of the current site will be protected and retained, including heritage gate pillars at the
entrance and the mature trees bordering the west and south of the site. The off-site construction of
the modular buildings means a more efficient and less disruptive build.

The project has received $3 million in funding through the Victorian Government’s Building Blocks
Capacity Building Grants stream and will be delivered by the Victorian School Building Authority.

The council has allocated a further $144,000 to ensure the new centre is fully furnished and has improved environmental and sustainable design elements.

A request to the Minister for Planning to remove the Lancefield Development Plan Overlay, which
would have “simplified development requirements” for affected landowners, has been declined.

The request to remove the Development Plan Overlay Schedule 24 (DPO24) from the Macedon
Ranges Planning Scheme was submitted in April 2023 following a resolution by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

In reviewing the application, the minister acknowledged that DPO24 was introduced to provide
certainty and guidance for landowners, and coordination and conformity of residential development in
the three development areas of Lancefield.

In addition, its introduction occurred via a statutory process that included public exhibition; that
provided an opportunity for interested parties to make submissions and to have their views
considered by an independent planning panel.

In declining the request, the minister explained that the removal of DPO24 may give rise to potential
risks associated with land being developed in an uncoordinated manner and create further difficulties
for residential development to take place.

Director Planning and Environment, Rebecca Stockfeld, said the council was disappointed with the
outcome.

“We have worked closely with impacted residents and listened to their concerns and frustrations with
the current planning overlay,” she said.

“Council will continue to work with the affected landowners on future options for development in the
area.”

Kyneton police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash in Lancefield on Saturday (December 9).

Emergency services were called to the single vehicle crash on Notmans Lane, near Shannons Road, about 12.30am.

Police believe the silver Ford Ranger lost control and crashed into a culvert and then into a concrete bridge.

The driver, a 53-year-old Lancefield man, died at the scene.

Three passengers, a 44-year-old Clarkfield woman, a 53-year-old Lancefield woman, and a 35-year-old Clarkefield man, were all still in hospital as at the last public report issued by police on Sunday.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, with dashcam footage or information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website.

Improved early years services are a step closer for Lancefield, with planning progressing on a new kindergarten and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) building due to open in 2024.

Funded and led by the Victorian Government’s Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA), the purpose-built three-room kindergarten and MCH facility will be largely built offsite through modular construction and later transported to its home at 76A High Street.

Council’s Director Community, Maria Weiss, said the new centre was one of Council’s priority projects resulting from the Municipal Early Years plan (CREATE), which identified a need for additional contemporary, fit-for-purpose early years infrastructure in Lancefield.

“There has been increased demand in Lancefield and surrounding areas due to population growth, the roll-out of 15 hours of funded kindergarten for three-year-olds, and the recently announced increase to 30 hours of pre-prep for four-year-olds,” she said.

“This new centre will provide more rooms to allow for future kinder participants and alleviate some of the pressure on surrounding areas of the shire. It will also see the return of a Maternal and Child Health service to the town, which we know is something residents are very much looking forward to.”

The project is supported by a $3 million VSBA Building Blocks Capacity Grant and once complete, the Macedon Ranges Shire Council will manage the new kindergarten and MCH services.

The council has allocated $16,000 in its 2023-24 Budget to ensure the new centre is fully furnished, and $100,000 to ensure the build has improved environmental and sustainable design elements to make it more comfortable for children and staff, and more efficient and cost-effective to run in the long term.

Repairs will be carried out enabling the reopening of the Romsey-Lancefield Federation Trail following a decision by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council at its May meeting last Thursday.

During the meeting the council endorsed the creation of a new project – and funding of $10,000 – to carry out minor repairs to reopen the Federation Trail, as part of its ongoing capital works schedule.

The work will fill hazardous depressions and scoured areas caused by the October 2022 flood
event, which had resulted in the temporary closure of the trail for public safety.

The council says it will work with a locally based contractor to complete these initial repair works and aim to have the trail reopened by July.

Additional works to fully restore the trail are still required and the council says it is continuing to pursue funding options for these longer-term repairs.