MACEDON Ranges Shire Council has reappointed Chief Executive Bernie O’Sullivan for a further three-and-a-half-year term. The decision was made during the Confidential (Closed) section of Wednesday night’s scheduled council meeting.
In its public meeting, key items considered and endorsed included a decision to extend Draft Biodiversity Strategy for consultation period to February 15, considering the upcoming festive season and school holidays. Have your say by visiting, yoursay.mrsc.vic.gov.au/biodiversity-strategy-refresh
Council also noted its recent community consultation on Draft Open Space Strategy outcomes received 30 written submissions and 51 online survey responses including majority support for the draft plan overall.
A report will be presented at the March 2026 Council Meeting for final draft Open Space Strategy consideration for adoption.
Council adopted its Onsite Wastewater Management Plan 2025 – 2030 Plan and also endorsed a suite of projects to prioritise external advocacy with its On Advocacy Projects Prospectus 2026. When fully designed, this Prospectus will be available to view, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/Advocacy
Planning permits:
Council considered and made decisions on several planning-related matters, including refusing a permit for the use and development of a freeway service centre at Romsey Road in Woodend.
The reasonings and discussions behind these decisions can be found in the meeting Agenda and via the meeting recording on Council’s website: mrsc.vic.gov.au/meetings
Petitions were received in relation to the Riddells Creek Men’s Shed obtaining a lease on a small area of land within the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve.
Reports in response to these petitions will be tabled at the March 2026 Council Meeting.
A Notice of Motion was also carried in relation to Council’s stance on resource recovery – specifically to write to the Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos MP, the Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos MP, Local Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas MP, and Head of Recycling Victoria Tony Circelli, to highlight Council’s in-principle support for the introduction of standardised bin contents across Victoria, but to also outline a number of requests to support sensible FOGO use and the ongoing higher diversion of waste to landfill.
In a press release Mayor Kate Kendall said the reappointment provides confidence, continuity and stability for the organisation as it progresses through the next Council term.
“Council looks forward to continuing to work positively with Bernie and the organisation to deliver on the priorities of the new Council term and positive outcomes for the Macedon Ranges community.”
