Consultation - Have Your Say

Council is seeking community feedback on a revised Community Engagement policy to guide its decision-making, in line with new legislation.

Community engagement is the process by which Council gathers information to make decisions on a range of outcomes such as policies, projects, plans and service delivery that impact the community.

Where members of the community can influence a decision, they are provided with information to form an opinion and an opportunity to provide input through a community engagement process.

The draft Community Engagement Policy outlines Council’s commitment to genuine community engagement. It aims to provide staff and councillors with a consistent and inclusive approach to community engagement based on best practice principles to inform decision-making.

Under the Local Government Act 2020, Victorian councils are required to have a community engagement policy in place by the 1 March 2021. We have updated the policy to apply deliberative community engagement practices as required by the new legislation.

This means that Council community engagement must be representative, deliberative and influential.

The principles in the draft policy confirm our commitment to transparent, timely and relevant, inclusive, accessible, evaluated and influential community engagement, with a promise to close the loop.

Provide your feedback on the policy by making a submission or by completing an online survey by 5.00pm on Monday 18 January 2021.

• Complete the online survey , or
• Forward your feedback outlining what you like about the policy, what you would like to see improved, and if you would like to stay informed about Council’s Community Engagement Policy and Engagement Framework.

Send to Communications and Customer Services Manager, Mount Alexander Shire Council, PO Box 185, Castlemaine 3450 Victoria, or email info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

Key documents

• Media release
• Online survey
• Draft Community Engagement Policy

Community members are invited to have their say to inform the review and development of a new master plan for Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve.

Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve is located at 37-40 Fryers Road, Campbells Creek and is approximately nine hectares in size.

The reserve currently provides for local sporting and recreational opportunities such as cricket, netball, Australian rules football and trotting activities, and is the location for annual events including the Rotary Club Truck Show. It also a park, with many natural features including large trees that provide both amenity and habitat.

As part of the first stage of consultation to develop the master plan, Council would like to hear how community members use the reserve, their favourite features and ideas for improvements. This will help to begin the design process.
It is anticipated that the master plan will consider the following:

• Future sporting and recreational infrastructure needs
• Event hosting capabilities
• Play space and open space improvements
• Improvements to the accessibility of the reserve for cyclists, vehicles and people of all ages and abilities.

COVIDSafe Community drop-in session
To give community members a chance to share their ideas and vision for Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve, Council is hosting a COVIDSafe drop-in information session at the reserve from 3.30pm to 5.30pm on Wednesday 9 December.

Online survey
Community members can also complete an online survey .

If you would like a printed survey posted to you please contact Council.

The first round of community consultation will close on Friday 15 January 2021.

Next steps
Once finalised, the plan will provide the direction for improvements over the next ten years and will play an important role in helping Council to secure funding for upgrades.

Read the media release here.

For more information contact Troy Lyons, Active Communities Team Leader, on 5471 1700 or t.lyons@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

Council is revitalising the Norwood Hill Recreation Reserve and is looking for community feedback on a draft landscape design for the reserve.

The draft landscape plan is informed by feedback received from community consultation undertaken in May 2020, along with discussions with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Dja Dja Wurrung and other First Nations Community Elders.

We have incorporated many great ideas into the design, including accessible paths, an increase in gardens and trees, more seating and picnic areas, and signage with local indigenous cultural heritage information. Proposed play equipment includes a big swing and spinning features, along with equipment for teens such as parkour or skate elements.

The plan includes an upgrade to the surface of the existing courts with additional features such as a rebound wall, basketball and netball hoops and four square lines.

Along with these ideas the draft landscape design includes nature play elements and improved integration between the reserve and the Lawrence Street road reserve. The sandpit will be retained under the plan.

Provide feedback on the draft landscape plan via an online survey or at a drop-in session. The survey closes on Friday 18 December.

Drop-in session
Council’s Active Communities Team and landscape architects from Pollen will be available to meet with the community at a COVIDSafe drop-in session.

The session will be held from 3.30pm to 5.30pm on Thursday 10 December at the Norwood Hill Recreation Reserve, Maclise Street, Castlemaine.

For more information call Kim Whitehouse, Project Officer, on 5471 1700.

Key documents
Media release – Seeking further feedback on Norwood Hill Rec Reserve, 1 December 2020
Online survey
Draft Landscape Plan - Norwood Hill Recreation Reserve

In accordance with the Local Government Act, Council has prepared the Mount Alexander Shire Council Annual Report 2019/2020 and submitted it to the Minister. Council will consider the Annual Report at the Ordinary Meeting of Council to be held at 6.30pm, Tuesday 15 December at the Civic Centre. A copy of the Annual Report is available to view at the Civic Centre, Castlemaine Library, Maldon Visitor Information Centre and below.

Annual Report 2019/2020

Are you passionate about social inclusion and celebrating our diverse community? Are you looking to help make your community a more inclusive place for LGBTIQ+ people?

People who live, work or play in the shire are encouraged to apply now to join the Mount Alexander LGBTIQ+ Steering Group (formerly the LGBTIQ+ Roundtable).

There are eight vacant positions and residents that identify as having a disability, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse, as well as young people and older people are strongly encouraged to consider putting themselves forward.

Council is coordinating the steering group in partnership with Castlemaine Community House and CHIRP Community Health, and includes representatives from the local LGBTIQ+ community and local health organisations.

Meetings of the LGBTIQ+ Steering Group occur bi-monthly, and are one hour in duration.

Key documents
Terms of Reference - LGBTIQ+ Steering Group
Expression of Interest Form - LGBTIQ+ Steering Group (Word)
Expression of Interest Form - LGBTIQ+ Steering Group (PDF).
Media Release - Apply now to join the LGBTIQ+ Steering Group, 1 December 2020.

To receive a hard copy of the application form, please contact Sarah Gradie, Social Equity and Inclusion Officer, Mount Alexander Shire Council on 5471 1790 or s.gradie@mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Application forms must be submitted by 5.00pm on Friday 18 December. All personal information will be treated with the strictest of confidence.

Do you have special memories about Maldon and the heritage aspects of the town centre? Is there a place, object, tree, view, vista or quality within the town centre that is particularly special or valuable to you?

We want to know how and why it is important.

Do you have memories of Maldon from when you were a child – favourite shops or shop keepers, or something that remains with you? What about your ideas to improve Old Bank Corner? What should we consider in its future design?

We invite you to share your stories, memories and knowledge about this historic town. You can complete a reply-paid postcard, which are available from businesses in Maldon or submit your feedback or photos via email at maldonstreetscape@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

Unfortunately we are having some issues with our interactive map, so invite you to contact us through the ways above so we can include your ideas and feedback.

Your stories will help to inform a heritage assessment of the public spaces in Maldon, as part of the Maldon Streetscape Revitalisation Project that we are running in partnership with the Maldon community.

Submit your memories and feedback by Monday 16 November.

Thank you to the Maldon Streetscape Heritage Sub Committee and Working Group for their effort in progressing this exciting project. The Victorian Government has committed $4.5 million towards rejuvenating Maldon’s historic streetscape through their Crisis Committee of Cabinet – Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.

Key documents
Media release - Share your stories about Maldon CBD - 26 October 2020
Background - Read about the background and three projects that make up the Maldon Streetscape Revitalisation Project
Streetscape improvements - Read about the Maldon Streetscape Project and the plans to improve public elements in Maldon town centre.

Retrofitting homes in our shire to improve sustainability is one of the ambitions of a new a project coordinated by Mount Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG) and Council. The project aims to co-design a masterplan with the community to reduce the shire’s carbon emissions to zero and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

As a very first step, residents are asked to complete an online survey about how they currently use their homes. This information will inform a baseline assessment of the shire’s carbon and water footprint.

The survey is part of the Z-NET (zero-net emissions) Project, which will be developed throughout 2020 and 2021. It is jointly funded by Council and a Sustainability Victoria grant under the Zero Carbon Community Transition Program. A community steering group is working together to guide the program in this first phase.

Online survey
Complete the household survey
Please note: We ask that you answer the questions in accordance with your typical behaviour, rather than your behaviour during COVID-19 restrictions. Only one respondee per household. The survey is open until December.

Next steps
A collaborative platform will be set up in late June 2020 to gather community climate action ideas and projects. This platform will include the existing ideas from the Climate Change Forum. We also welcome new ideas and participants will have the opportunity to vote on their priorities. Visit this page again for more information.

Council has released its Proposed Budget for 2020/2021.

The $45.9 million budget outlines the resources necessary to maintain and improve infrastructure, and deliver projects and services which are valued by our community. This year we have incorporated a range of projects to specifically help respond to the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The budget is now open for public submissions.

Printed copies will be available for public inspection during office hours at the Civic Centre in Castlemaine from Monday 29 June or on weekends at the Market Building in Castlemaine. Precautions will be in place to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Submissions must be in writing and be lodged by 5.00pm on Wednesday 15 July 2020.

Please address submissions titled 2020/2021 Budget to the Chief Executive Officer, Mount Alexander Shire Council, PO Box 185, Castlemaine, VIC 3450 or email to Please forward your submission entitled Proposed Budget submission to the Chief Executive Officer, Mount Alexander Shire Council, PO Box 185, Castlemaine 3450 Victoria or email info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

All submissions will be considered in accordance with Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989. They should indicate whether the person, or a person acting on their behalf, wishes to be heard before Council. Submissions will be heard at a Council Meeting at 5.30pm on Tuesday 28 July.

Council will consider the 2020/2021 Budget at an Ordinary Meeting of Council on Tuesday 18 August. The meeting will start at 6.30pm at the Civic Centre in Castlemaine. Both meetings will be broadcast live to the internet via YouTube.

For more information contact Carolyn Ross, Executive Manager Business Performance, on 5471 1700.

Key documents
Mount Alexander Shire Council Proposed Budget 2020/2021 (pdf, 0.6MB)
Media release - Council budget open for submissions - 17 June 2020
Budget summary (pdf, 0.8MB)

Council has received a $4.5 million grant from the State Government to rejuvenate Maldon’s heritage streetscape. The funds will be used towards putting powerlines underground, restoring shopfronts and upgrading public spaces such as footpaths, crossovers, bins and seating.

The Maldon Streetscape Steering Committee reviewed concept designs for the project earlier this year. The concept plans are available on Council’s website. If you would like to provide feedback email your suggestions to info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or send via post to Mount Alexander Shire Council, PO Box 185, Castlemaine 3450 Victoria. Feedback is required by Friday 3 July.

View plans at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/MaldonStreetscapeProject.

Community and Steering Committee feedback will be incorporated into the next phase of developing a schematic plan to progress the works.

Read a media release on the announcement from 17 June 2020.

Community members are invited to make a submission on a proposal to dispose of the former Chewton Community Centre at 205 (formerly 201) Main Road Chewton.

Please note while public submissions close on Thursday 9 April they will reopen later in the year due to the impact of coronavirus COVID-19.

The former Wesleyan Church building is in a poor state of repair with rising damp and termite damage. It has been closed to the public since 2010 due to safety risks. The cost for Council to restore and maintain the building as a public facility would be significant.

On 15 August 2017 Council resolved to sell the former Wesleyan Church at 201 Main Road Chewton and commence the process of sub-dividing the associated land to create separate allotments for the Chewton Community Centre (church) and the former Sunday school building (now the Chewton Senior Citizens Centre) to enable the sale of the church building.

The resolution was passed following public notice of Council’s intent to sell the property in accordance with Sections 189 and 223 of the Local Government Act 1989.

The subdivision process is almost complete and the building will soon be ready for sale. However, due to the passage of time, it is deemed best practice for Council to provide new public notice to notify the community of its intention to sell the building, as resolved at the Ordinary Council Meeting in December 2019. Public notice was provided in the Midland Express on Tuesday 28 January 2020. The closing date for submissions has since been extended.

The community is now invited to make a submission. Submissions should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Mount Alexander Shire Council, PO Box 185, Castlemaine VIC 3450, or email info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au titled Chewton Community Centre by 5.00pm on Thursday 9 April 2020.

Submitters who wish to speak in support of their submission will be heard at an Ordinary Meeting of Council to be held at a date to be determined.

Open day - cancelled

Council had planned to hold an open day from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 28 March, at the former Chewton Community Centre located at 205 Main Road in Chewton. Council cancelled the opening in response to the directive from the Victorian Premier to not support non-essential public gatherings in the short to mid-term.

For more information contact Lynne Williamson, Property Portfolio Coordinator on 5471 1700.

Key documents
• Virtual tour - see photos of the former community centre (PDF, 2.4MB)
• Virtual tour - see video footage inside and outside the former community centre
• Public notice – published in Midland Express 28 January 2020 (PDF, 0.5MB)
• Media release - Submissions open on former community centre - 31 January 2020
• Media release - Open day at former community centre in Chewton - 13 March 2020
• Media release - Update on former Chewton Community Centre - 1 April 2020
• Chewton Community Centre investigation of salt damp in the former Wesleyan Church (June 2010) (PDF, 1.24MB).