Some of the key items considered and endorsed at the August 2025 Council Meeting included:
Vale Councillor Walker: With husband Andrew in attendance at the meeting, Council expressed its deep regret and sadness at the death of Councillor Christine Walker earlier this month, placing on record its appreciation for her commitment, contribution and service to the Macedon Ranges community and extending sympathy to her family and friends in their bereavement.
Draft Onsite Wastewater Management Plan (OWMP) 2025-2030: Informed by internal reviews, stakeholder feedback and community consultation, the new draft OWMP aims to address public and environmental health risks from septic system wastewater, and outline risk management strategies.
Feedback will now be invited on the Draft Operational Plan and the Draft Technical Plan that make up the new draft OWMP, whether that be from the general public, or from the 8,500-or-so properties across the Macedon Ranges registered as having their own onsite wastewater systems.
Find out more on Council's Your Say platform – feedback will be invited from 1 – 28 September 2025.
89 Ross Watt Road – Development Plan Application and Planning Permits: Council endorsed not to support three planning applications relating to 89 Ross Watt Road in Gisborne, and will take this position to the deciding body being the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Council also endorsed Council representatives to negotiate improved and acceptable outcomes with the applicant at VCAT where appropriate.
The original development plan for this site was approved at the direction of VCAT on 19 July 2023. The proponent has subsequently proposed an amended development plan and planning permits, which seeks – through a reduction of residential lots, and the addition of a 220-dwelling residential village plus associated facilities – an overall net increase of 93 dwellings.
One planning permit seeks the subdivision and development of the remainder of the land and the other permit seeks to facilitate the residential village proposed in the development plan amendment.
Council's concerns with the amended proposals include unsatisfactory responses to local and state planning policy, density, bushfire risk, urban design, traffic impacts, and outcomes contrary to the Gisborne/New Gisborne Outline Development Plan (2009).
Review of Planning Delegations: Council endorsed a review and simplification to how it reviews planning matters to support greater efficiency, transparency, consistency in decision-making and meaningful engagement with the community.
The endorsed recommendations, to be implemented no later than October 2025, include:
- reviewing and simplifying the Delegations Policy and Procedure
- all planning permit applications or Development Plan approvals with 5 or more objections/submissions will go to Council for decision
- the ability for planning permits not meeting the criteria above being brought to a Council Meeting for consideration, by request from a minimum of three or more Councillors
- winding up the Planning Delegated Committee, with non-delegated planning decisions to proceed to a Council Meeting for decision
- reviewing the updated Planning Delegations process after 6 months and briefing Councillors on findings
- developing and implementing a 'best practice' consultation model for planning applications.
2026 ANZAC Day Commemorative Services Support Fund – Round 2: After resolving at the July 2025 Council Meeting to reopen the grants for an additional 10 days, to give unsuccessful applicants more time to revise their approach and consider reapplying, Council noted that one applicant withdrew and one reapplied, but that this was again assessed as non-compliant with Council's Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy.
Council has a strong history of minimising gambling harm with support from our community and the Policy adopted in September 2024 was enacted in mind of this, coming into effect in July 2025 to give venues and organisations plenty of time to prepare.
Council reiterates its unwavering support for Anzac Day, with grant funding approved for four services across the shire. This funding helps cover costs of accredited traffic management services or traffic management controls, which have increased due to a Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) change several years ago, with no additional funding support provided by the Victorian Government.
Customer Service Centre review: Following ongoing reviews and a continuing decline in customer attendance, Council endorsed the closure of the customer service function at the Woodend Community Centre (corner of Forest and High streets), effective 1 January 2026.
A reduction in operating hours across two days a week has been in place since August 2023, following earlier reviews and community consultation. Among the considerations for this latest closure decision were a declining average daily attendance of just 8 people per day; and annual proposed savings of almost $38,000.
More information on alternative options for common services requested at Woodend – such as payments, general enquiries, and FOGO caddies and liners – can be found on Council's website .
Council also endorsed for the CEO to compile a report by April 2026 on options for alternative customer service offerings in all Macedon Ranges towns that do not, or will not from January 1 2026, have a designated service centre desk .
Reconciliation Plan 2025-2029: Council resolved to adopt the Reconciliation Plan 2025-2029, replacing the Reconciliation Action Plan 2021-2023 and supporting Council's commitment to reconciliation and meaningful action for First Nations Peoples across the organisation and community.
The new Plan comprises 51 actions across themes of Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance – from celebrating National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, to delivering a dedicated educational session for First Nations businesses as part of annual tendering and procurement information sessions.
The Plan also includes an action to publicly report against commitments annually, outlining achievements, challenges and learnings.
Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve Master Plan: Council endorsed allocating unspent Community Funding Scheme 2025-26 funds of $37,779.27 towards the development of the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve Master Plan in 2025-26.
The development of a Master Plan will establish a clear vision and direction for future development and activation of the reserve, ensuring maximum benefit for the community and becoming an advocacy piece for future funding opportunities.
One future funding stream already identified will come through the recently approved Amess Road Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), with the PSP's approval including a condition for some of the Development Contributions Plan funds to go towards Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve upgrades.
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