MURRINDINDI: New Standard-Chronicle owners upset Council
The new owners of the merged Alexandra Standard-Yea Chronicle newspaper have upset Murrindindi Council by publishing an anonymous criticism of the Shire’s choice of bushfire recovery contractors.
In the stinging ‘Thumbs Down’ column criticism, the Standard-Chronicle piece slams the Council for “not using local Murrindindi businesses for tree clearing” after the Longwood summer fires.
Murrindindi Council went to the unusual step of issuing a written statement to counter the unattributed criticism.
“Murrindindi Shire Council is aware of comments published in a recent Thumbs Down in a local newspaper regarding the use of contractors for bushfire recovery works,” the statement said.
“Council recognises the importance of supporting local businesses and ensuring recovery investment benefits the communities impacted by the January bushfires.
“A number of local businesses and workers from Murrindindi Shire and neighbouring communities are currently undertaking recovery works across the Shire.
“Companies involved in recovery works include North Central Construction (Alexandra), Murrindindi Tree Services, Unlimbited Trees (Yea), Fineblade (Buxton), Bells Civil (Yarra Valley) and Leaf and Limb (Healesville).
“Many of the people undertaking these works also live within Murrindindi Shire and surrounding communities.
“The scale of recovery work required following the fires is immense, with more than 400 kilometres of roads impacted and approximately 800 kilometres of roadside and hazardous tree works required.
“Delivering a recovery program of this size requires significant additional capacity and, in some cases, local contractors have also engaged external contractors to help complete the work.
“Council appoints contractors in accordance with its Procurement Policy and established procurement processes. Contractors must demonstrate the skills, equipment, experience, safety systems and capacity required to undertake complex recovery works safely and effectively.
“Council’s Tree and Weed Services Panel, which has been in place for three years, has been used to appoint contractors undertaking roadside hazardous tree works following the January 2026 bushfires.
“The panel is currently being reviewed, and Council promoted the opportunity to local contractors and provided online tender workshops to support businesses interested in applying.
“An important consideration in bushfire recovery works is compliance with the Federal Government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
“Contractors must provide detailed documentation, reporting and evidence to enable Council to claim eligible recovery costs and reduce the financial burden on Murrindindi ratepayers.
“During the 2025–26 financial year, Council spent approximately $10 million on bushfire recovery activities and submitted 25 DRFA claims valued at approximately $6 million.
“Of the 15 claims assessed to date, Council has achieved a 100 per cent recovery rate on eligible costs.
“This result reflects the quality of documentation and evidence provided by Council and its contractors and is critical to maximising the recovery funding available to our community.
“Council remains committed to supporting local businesses and workers wherever possible, while ensuring recovery works are delivered safely, public funds are managed responsibly and every opportunity is taken to recover eligible costs on behalf of Murrindindi ratepayers,” the Council’s statement said.
The inflammatory ‘Thumbs Down’ piece appeared in the July 8 issue, the first under the control of the Wangaratta-based North-East Media, a division of the Provincial Press Group that operates across New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.
The Provincial Press Group is chaired by Hartley Higgins, and CEO is Edward Higgins.
The July 8 issue saw The Yea Chronicle incorporated within The Alexandra Standard, with the exception of front and back pages.
It effectively closes The Yea Chronicle as a standalone newspaper. The paper was established as The Yea Telegraph in 1885, 141 years ago.
Alexandra Newspapers Pty Ltd, most recently owned by the Mott family, has had a cosy relationship with Murrindindi Shire Council in recent years.
The Standard and The Chronicle rarely raised waves in its coverage of Council affairs. Those newspapers carried the lucrative Shire full-page ads each month, as well as other Council advertising.
The Standard-Chronicle allows ‘Thumbs Down’ comments, permitting contributors to remain anonymous with their criticisms. It notes: “Contributions will be edited and/or published at the Editor’s discretion. We request that this section not be used as a slander attack on persons, businesses or property.”
Slander is the legal and colloquial term for making false, oral. statements that damage someone’s reputation.