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proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges
28 SEPTEMBER, 2021
Back in the pool Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions at midnight Friday, September 17, both the Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre and the Gisborne Sports Centre welcomed back patrons for the first time in months. With density limits heavily restricting the number of patrons allowed in each venue, Macedon Ranges council aquatics and fitness coordinator Luke Beattie said council chose to reinstate a booking system. “One thing we’ve noticed through these staggered interruptions is just how important our facilities are to people’s physical health and wellbeing,” Mr Beattie said. “There are members of the community who rely on the facilities we have to maintain an effective lifestyle, and it can be challenging to maintain their mental health and wellbeing when we’re closed. Due to the requirement of a COVID-19 marshall in the facility at all times, Macedon Ranges council has modified each centre’s opening hours. For more information, visit: https:// www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/ Gisborne Aquatic Centre has finally reopened and the Hewitt family was among the first to dive in.
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Aged care controversy By Oliver Lees Macedon Ranges council has endorsed a proposal to develop a 120 bed aged care facility outside the Romsey town boundary, following a debate on the issue which divided councillors. The development is proposed on land at the corner of Melbourne-Lancefield Road and Hutchinsons Lane West, one kilometre north of Romsey’s township boundary. The land is classed as a ‘rural living zone’. Following a discussion of the proposal at a meeting last week, a majority of five councillors threw their support behind converting the site
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into a residential aged care facility. The decision went against the officer’s recommendation, which advised the location was inappropriate for an aged care facility given its remoteness from services and its zoning. But Cr Geoff Neil said he supported the application given the benefits “far outweigh the negatives”. “The opportunity to replicate a facility in the east of the shire should be pursued with vigour,” Cr Neil said. “It enables our elderly residents to downsize within an area that they have made their home... who have no desire to move away from
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a place they have come to love and enjoy,” Cr Neil said. Cr Neil said the facility would also create up to 130 jobs for the shire. The proposed aged care facility would offer 120 beds and include 44 car parking spaces. Cr Mark Ridgeway said although he did have concerns over the location, he supported the proposal as an aged care facility was “desperately needed” in the east ward. Cr Rob Guthrie said the application “failed miserably” in protecting the land’s fertile soil, which he argued should be used only for agriculture.
“Everything I’ve seen over the last 18 years that I’ve been involved in council has said that this area must be protected, and that’s what the community has always wanted,” he said. Mayor Jennifer Anderson cited the 2018 Romsey Issues and Opportunities Paper as the reason for her objection, which included community consultation that indicated that “no new growth should be located north of Hutchinsons Lane”. The application is subject to a VCAT appeal after council failed to determine the matter within statutory timeframes.
At Kingsgate Village you can enjoy your independence while living among secure and tranquil surroundings. Our state-of-the-art centre has resort style facilities to suit your lifestyle: • Competition Size Lawn Bowls • Swimming Pool • Fully Equipped Gymnasium • Hairdresser • Cinema and Library • 24 Hour Video Security 12506352-BL35-21