East Ward councillor Annette Death has been re-elected as mayor for the final year of the current four-year council term the the Macedon Ranges Shire.

West Ward Councillor Janet Pearce has been elected as deputy mayor for the same period, which will run through to the next council elections in October 2024.

Mayor Death said: “It’s a privilege to be elected for a second term as Mayor and I’m excited to continue the great work that has already been started alongside Deputy Mayor Pearce, my fellow Councillors and our Executive team.”

“I’d like to thank my family, my fellow Councillors, Council staff and the community for their ongoing support, and I’d particularly like to acknowledge Cr Anderson for her contributions as Deputy Mayor in the last term.”

Deputy Mayor Pearce said: “I’d like to congratulate Mayor Death on her re-election and thank my fellow Councillors for the privilege of being elected Deputy Mayor.”

“I’m looking forward to working together with Mayor Death and our team of Councillors, the CEO and our Executive team, and importantly our community, to achieve some wonderful outcomes in our final year of this term.”

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council says it’s leading the way in reducing waste to landfill by providing resale shops, textile and polystyrene recycling, and free mulch for residents at its resource recovery facilities.
The council has been awarded just over $150,000 through the Victorian Government’s Circular Economy
Councils Fund for an upgrade of the resale shop at the Kyneton resource recovery facility and the
development of a new resale shop in Romsey.
The $5.9 million fund, delivered by Sustainability Victoria under the Victorian Government’s Recycling
Victoria New Economy policy, provides funding to councils and alpine resort management boards for
projects that reduce waste to landfill and transition towards a circular economy.
The council’s Director Assets and Operations, Shane Walden, welcomed the funding and said resale
shops were a fantastic way to divert usable goods from landfill while giving residents and visitors the
opportunity to buy unique and affordable items.
“We know our community is passionate about recycling and repurposing goods, and trying to reduce
the amount of waste that goes into landfill,” he said. “The resale shops will provide another local
option for residents to donate usable goods and pick up items at bargain prices.”
The upgrade of the Kyneton resale shop is scheduled for completion by Christmas this year, while the
opening of the resale shop at the Romsey resource recovery facility is planned for mid-2024.
The council has also recently expanded its services to include free textile and polystyrene recycling at
resource recovery facilities in another proactive step to reduce waste going into landfill.
Residents can drop their damaged textiles including clothes, shoes, linen and more, at resource
recovery centres where they are then collected for reuse, repair, and recycling. Items that are not
damaged and still in good condition should still go to the nearest op shop.
The textile recycling initiative is delivered in partnership with Upcycle4Better, who turns recycled
textiles into other reusable items such as bags and cleaning cloths.
Clean, white expanded polystyrene can also be recycled for free at resource recovery facilities as
long as it is free from dirt, tape, labels and ink. Recycled polystyrene is turned into items such as
picture frames, skirting boards, decking and other household products.
In keeping with sustainable practices, Council also has free self-loaded mulch available to residents at
all three of its resource recovery facilities, with delivery available within the shire for a fee.
“Spring is the perfect time to apply fresh mulch to your garden to stop topsoil from drying out over
summer, reduce water consumption, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and prevent weeds,” Mr
Walden said.
“We have plenty of mulch available across our three sites, so I encourage you to take advantage of the free offer or the reasonable delivery fee option.”

Local businesses that are kicking goals and achieving great things in the Macedon Ranges Shire are being encouraged to enter the 2024 Macedon Ranges Business Excellence Awards.

After taking a break for the Community Choice Awards in 2023, these self-nominated, biennial business awards return with Josh’s Rainbow Eggs as naming sponsor and Bendigo Bank and Workspace Australia as gold sponsors.

Mayor Annette Death said the awards were a great opportunity for businesses in the Macedon Ranges to get the word out about the amazing work they are doing.

“Our local businesses play such a pivotal role in our community, supporting our local economy by providing local products, services and opportunities for employment,” she said.

“These awards are an opportunity for businesses to be recognised for their outstanding service and to acknowledge deserving staff that contribute to their business. If you own a business locally, I encourage you to check out the categories and submit a nomination.”

Businesses have until 15 March 2024 to submit a nomination. Award categories include:

• Excellence in Agribusiness and Food Manufacturing
• Excellence in Manufacturing, Trades, Retail and Innovation
• Excellence in Health, Wellness and Care
• Small and Thriving Award
• Excellence in Professional Services
• Excellence in Tourism and Visitor Experience
• Young Achiever Award
• Champion of Social, Environmental or Sustainability Principles
• Business Resilience and Adaptability
• People’s Choice Award
• Business of the Year

A mentoring session will be held on Wednesday 31 January 2024 at Macedon and Mount Macedon Community House for businesses who would like support and guidance on making their submission.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has received a progress update regarding the ongoing management of the Barrm Birrm area in Riddells Creek.

The progress update was presented to the council at its September meeting held last week.

Detailed ecological and cultural heritage assessments which demonstrate the significant values of the site have now been completed by the council.

The reports confirm that Barrm Birrm is a bushland area with significant natural and cultural values and that these values are subject to ongoing threats related to the complex land tenure of the site.

The council says it will provide these reports to the Victorian Government and continue to advocate for the public purchase of the privately owned lots within the area of Barrm Birrm for community benefit.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has endorsed the release of its draft Climate Emergency Plan for community consultation.

The move is among a number of important items that was endorsed by the council at it’s monthly meeting held last week.

Collaboratively developed over six months with community members and key community organisations, the draft plan will guide the council and the community in response to climate change across six themes.

Ideas were also taken from the council-led Cool Changes program which facilitated seven Community Climate Action Plans covering nine of the shire’s towns.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s annual Youth Awards were held at Kyneton Town Hall earlier this month with a crowd of over 100 people gathering to celebrate the outstanding achievements of young people in the shire. 

This year, more than 30 young people – groups and individuals – were nominated across six award categories, with the judging panel consisting of young people. 

The council’s Director Community, Maria Weiss, said that the quality of nominations this year was very high.

“We are very fortunate to have so many motivated and talented young people in our shire,” she said. “It’s so important we recognise their achievements through awards like these, to encourage them to continue on their incredible journeys.”

“Well done to all of this year’s nominees and winners, and thank you to those who took the time to nominate a young person excelling in our shire.”

The crowd was also entertained on the night by local up-and-coming musical acts Rhiannon Winchester and The Mods.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Willpower

Young people who show real character and perseverance, especially in the face of adversity.

Winner: Toby Birkett

Toby has been an active member of the Braemar Cadet unit for many years and is now in a position of leadership. They have demonstrated their ability to work and fight for what they are passionate about within a large 35-plus person unit showing skills in direction, management, and communication. All while suffering a significant leg injury and enduring more than 10 months on crutches, overcoming extreme challenges and disruptions in their school and personal life.

Skilling It

Young people excelling in a mentorship program, workplace or business.

Winners: Casey Carew and Akira Zutelia

Casey and Akira began working with Gisborne Family Dental without any previous experience in the industry and have both proven themselves very quickly. They have fantastic work attitudes, are fast learners, and have never held back in developing their knowledge and skills. From day one they have fit into the family-orientated workplace and naturally know the importance of teamwork.

Good Deeds

Young people excelling in a mentorship program, workplace or business.

Winner: Alexander O’Hanlon

Alexander is a member of the House of Awesome LGBTIQA+ social support group, the Sunbury Glitter Group, the Kyneton High Pride Crew, and was a participant in the WayOut Pride Camp, and in other WayOut events in the community such as Queers on the Catwalk and IDAHOBIT celebrations.

As a community connector with LGBTIQA+ young people in the region, he has helped raise awareness about LGBTIQA+ experiences and programs available for young people. He is great at making people feel included and helping to promote safe, supportive and affirming spaces for LGBTIQA+ young people.

Pure Imagination

Young people pursuing their passion for creativity through the arts.

Winner: Charlie Jackman

In 2019, Charlie’s small business called Charlie by Art was born. Working with his mum, Charlie turns his art into greeting cards to sell on his website. Through the business, Charlie has learnt skills including business management, customer service and web skills. He sells his cards at markets and The Corner Café in Gisborne which helps him to build social skills, connection and confidence.

In 2019, Charlie was commissioned to produce artwork for Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, creating an artwork called “Melbourne” for his Christmas card. In 2020, he was commissioned by the Victorian Minister for Creative Industries to create an artwork called “A Fresh Start”, reflecting on the Covid pandemic.

Nicely Played

Young people kicking recreational and physical activity goals.

Winner: Lachlan Goodes

Lachie is the youngest member of Macedon Ranges Cycling Club and in March this year, he completed his longest ride so far of 75km on the Great Victorian Rail Trail. He participated in the 2022 Tour de Kids, riding 250kms in 30 days and raising funds for the Starlight Foundation.

Lachie also completed the 60km in the Great Ocean Otway Classic in April 2022 (the youngest child to participate) and 108km from Tallarook-Bonnie Doon (12 years old) in July 2022. His biggest achievement so far has been riding 21.52km up Mt Buffalo on his gravel bike; an elevation of 1074m and a time of time 2hrs 6mins, with snow during the last 10km. 

Well Aware

Young people who shine light on important issues or social causes and raises awareness in the community.

Winner: Cameron Palmer

As the inaugural First Nations school captain of Gisborne Secondary College, Cameron has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of First Nations students and raise awareness of First Nations culture and history, particularly within the Macedon Ranges. Cameron has been involved in various initiatives including organising events for Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.

After discovering his First Nations heritage as a teenager, he has not only embraced this connection, but also looked to how he could positively interact with the many opportunities and challenges it has presented. Cameron has inspired his family to become more aware of things from a First Nations viewpoint and is a great role model for his younger siblings. 

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has welcomed a recent state government announcement which it says will ‘protect the future of the culturally significant Hanging Rock’.
The launch of the Hanging Rock Precinct Master Plan has been complemented by confirmation of the
sale of East Paddock at Hanging Rock from the council to the Victorian Government. The council, in a media statement, now says this will allow for ‘a single ownership of the Hanging Rock precinct for the long-term benefit of the community’.
Mayor Annette Death said the sale and master plan would help ensure that the cultural and environmental significance of the site was not only protected but enhanced progressively over the
coming decades.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Victorian Government and Traditional Owner groups
on the precinct’s long-term management and development, to continue to provide a truly unique
visitor experience that champions the site as a historically special meeting place,” she said.
“Council will also continue to work closely with the Victorian Government and Hanging Rock sporting
groups on what the endorsed master plan will mean for them in the short and long term, with the
focus on finding suitable new spaces that meet their needs into the future.”
CEO Bernie O’Sullivan said that the council will be retained as the Committee of Management for at least the next three years – an important condition Council stipulated when confirming a decision to sell East Paddock in June 2022.
“We’re very proud of the work our team at Hanging Rock continues to deliver, in helping to provide a
truly unique experience for tens of thousands of visitors every year while continuing to respect the
land as a significant site for our three Traditional Owner groups,” he said.
The council considered the sale price of East Paddock – just under $3 million – as suitable and within
market range, as assessed by its appointed valuer.
The council, in its statement, says that over the coming months, it ‘will carefully assess the best strategic management of these funds for the long-term benefit of the community’.

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.