Police have been investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash which occurred in Woodend in recent days.

Investigators have been told a motorcycle crashed into a tree near the intersection of Crows Road and Russells Lane about 1.20am on Sunday September 3.

The rider, an 18-year-old Woodend man, died at the scene.

The circumstances surrounding the crash had yet to be established and the investigation was ongoing, police said in a report released on the day of the tragic incident.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information was being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Woodend has taken out bronze in the Top Small Tourism Town category at the 2023 TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards.

The Top Small Tourism Town category celebrates townships with a population from 1500 to 5000 that demonstrate a strong commitment to tourism, offer an excellent visitor experience, and show strong collaboration with tourism operators, local businesses and the community.

Winners were revealed on July 26 with Sorrento winning gold and Heathcote taking silver. The award comes a year after Mount Macedon won gold in the Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town category for 2022, followed by bronze at the national awards.

The Woodend Customer Service Centre for Macedon Ranges Shire Council will remain open, but with altered hours, following a decision at the council’s recent scheduled June meeting.

The council actioned several noteworth items at its recent June Scheduled Council Meeting, including a decision to keep Woodend Customer Service Centre open following a review.

However this will be with reduced operating hours due to low levels of foot traffic. From 1 August 2023,
the centre will operate from 12pm to 5pm, two days per week providing access for people preferring to undertake their council business ‘over the counter’.

Also following earlier community consultation, councillors endorsed a new Affordable Housing Policy for Macedon Ranges Shire.

It will now be used to guide the council’s decisions relating to affordable housing in the shire and sets out how the council will facilitate the provision of affordable housing through its role as advocate, decision-maker, facilitator, and investor.

The council also endorsed its newly revised shire-wide Footpath Plan which replaces the originally endorsed shire-wide Footpath Plan (2018-2027), reflecting current priorities across the shire, and setting design parameters and material selection criteria to complement the neighbourhood character.

A new pedestrian bridge over Five Mile Creek in Woodend, bequeathed by resident Josephine Clancy, has officially opened following a ceremony held onsite last month.

Jo Clancy, a long-time resident of Woodend and a passionate member of the local Landcare Group, has left a lasting legacy to the community with the gift of a new 24-metre long footbridge.

Family, friends, community members, Macedon Ranges Shire councillors and staff, the bridge’s designer and contractor attended the event. After some of Jo’s friends, colleagues and family members shared their memories, a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the bridge’s opening and Jo’s contribution.

Images supplied by Woodend Landcare.

Residents and visitors who love Woodend are being encouraged to help cement the unique local town’s status as Victoria’s most liveable regional town by voting in the 2023 TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards.
Woodend has been announced as a finalist in the Top Small Town category of the annual awards –
for townships with a population from 1,000 to 5,000 – alongside Heathcote, Koroit and Sorrento.
The awards recognise and reward Victorian towns that demonstrate a strong commitment to tourism,
offer an excellent visitor experience, and show strong collaboration with tourism operators, local
businesses and the community. Winners at state level then represent Victoria in national awards.
Mayor Annette Death encouraged everyone to show their support and vote for Woodend in this year’s
awards.
“Awards like these help get the word out about our beautiful region and attract more visitors, who
ultimately end up supporting our local businesses by buying products, dining in our cafes and
restaurants, or staying in local accommodation,” she said.
“Woodend’s chance to win is based on a public vote and voting only takes a matter of minutes – we’d
love to see it come out on top among some impressive competition.”
As an extra incentive, governing body Victorian Tourism Industry Council is offering voters to go into
the draw to win a luxurious weekend for two in Melbourne, including accommodation and dining.
Woodend was named most liveable regional town in Victoria earlier this year in a study conducted by
PwC, with the analysis citing a range of liveability metrics including a mix of entertainment, family
amenity, jobs and transport links.
Mayor Death said Woodend had many elements that made it a top tourist destination, as both a
relatively easy day trip from Melbourne and an equally great destination for a longer stay, to better
experience more of what the area has to offer.
“Woodend has a beautiful natural environment with views of Mount Macedon, the iconic Hanging
Rock just a stone’s throw away, delicious local produce, amazing cafes and restaurants, an awardwinning brewery and amazing wineries close by,” she said.
“There is always something to see and do too, such as regular markets and the annual Woodend
Winter Arts Festival, coming up again soon from 9-12 June.”
Woodend’s nomination comes a year after Mount Macedon won the Victorian Top Tiny Town award
for 2022, followed by bronze at the national awards.
Voting is open from now until 22 June, with state winners to be announced on 26 July.
Visit vtic.com.au/toptourismtown/woodend to view Woodend’s page and vote, with public voting
competition terms and conditions also on the VTIC website.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council is preparing a master plan to guide the future management of the Woodend Racecourse Reserve and will continue to receive public input up to May 28.

Public submissions will close on 28 May 2023 at 5pm

The Woodend Racecourse Reserve plays an important role in the provision of sport and recreation opportunities for the community.

The council is inviting public feedback via short survey to help inform the development of the significant plan.

The reserve is currently the home to the Woodend Pony Club, Riddells Creek Adult Riders Club, Hanging Rock and Woodend Pentanque Club, and is also accessed by the Woodend Junior Football Club and Woodend Hesket Football Netball Club.

It was previously a racecourse, and previously home to scouts and little athletics.

Council has appointed experienced recreation consultants @Leisure to undertake the development of this plan.

There will also be further opportunities to have a say on the draft master plan once it has been developed, which is anticipated to be later this year.

High energy Woodend band Strange Trails is inviting all and sundry to get out and support local and original rock music at the town’s Vic Hotel.

The upcoming gig – Saturday June 3, will showcase some of the considerable talent on offer in the Macedon ranges rock scene.

Marlee Grace will open the night with a set from her recently released and beautifully crafted indie album Rollercoaster.

Elevated Planes will get the gig humming and the crowd moving with their bass-heavy, percussive grooves and afro psychedelic vibes.

And finally local Woodend band Strange Trails will keep the energy pumping with the final set of expansive fuzz rock with the soaring vocals of Brett Franke.

It’s shaping as a night for original music to shine and locals to cut loose.