The Local Paper

Emergency Services

NORTH-EAST: ‘Leave immediately’ warning for Caveat, Dropmore, Ruffy, Tarcombe, Terip Terip.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

A ‘Leave Immediately’ warning was issued at 6.14pm Wednesday (Jan. 7) for Caveat, Dropmore, Ruffy, Tarcombe, Terip Terip. There is a bushfire at Longwood that is not yet under control.“The bushfire is travelling from Hume Freeway in a south-easterly direction towards Ruffy.residents in the SOUTH of a line drawn from Maggies Lane to Mount Monica…

Police News

MURRINDINDI: Emergency generator stolen from Marysville

Monday, January 5, 2026

UGFM radio station’s mains back up power generator was stolen on Sunday night (Jan. 4) from the Marysville and Triangle transmission site at Mt Gordon.“The Khola stationary generator was used to supply power during mains power outages and emergencies to keep our UGFM FM 98.5 Transmitter on air and also for backup power to the…

Observer

OBSERVER: HIT Productions owes $2 mil. in debts

Friday, January 2, 2026

HIT Productions, led by actress Christine Harris (pictured), has gone into liquidation, with debts totalling $1,995,000.Liquidator Timothy Brace says the Men-toner based company owes $567,000 to the Australian Taxation Office.An amount of $91,000 in superannuation remains unpaid, with a further $36,000 owed to actors and creatives.Some 30 regional and suburban venues are listed amongst the…

Police News

MELTON: Threat to journalist

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Detectives from Taskforce Hawk have charged a man as part of an investigation into threatening communications.A search warrant was executed at a Fraser Rise residential address. A 31-year-old man was arrested and subsequently interviewed by police.He has been charged with two counts of use carriage service to menace/cause offence and was bailed to appear at…

Sport

MURRINDINDI: Crowd at golf event

A large crowd was attracted to the Cathedral Invitational golf event at the otherwise private Golf Club, said Cr Sandice McAulay (pictured). Murrindindi Council’s visitor economy team worked with the organisers.

Council News

MURRINDINDI: Views on firearms

Trak Buller spoke to Murrindindi Councillors in relation to the use of firearms in the Shire.Lloyd Butler spoke in relation to the use of firearms in the municipality. Mr Butler also spoke against any future proposal to develop a dog park at the Yea Railway Reserve in Yea.

Council News

MANSFIELD: $¼m for books

Mansfield Library’s Outreach Program for All Seasons has been awarded $242,750 of State Government funding awarded under the 2025-26 Library Infrastructure Program.The funding will be used to purchase a fit-for-purpose fully equipped library van which will enable consistent delivery of library services to outlying communities.“Delivering essential resources to the Shire’s most remote communities has long…

Environment

MITCHELL: Reuse exopands

Mitchell Shire Council will expand the operation of its Reuse Shops at the Wallan and Seymour Resource Recovery Centres.The Council has awarding a two-year contract to Community Resources Limited, trading as Resource Recovery Australia, following a public Expression of Interest process.“Reuse Shops play an important role in keeping usable items in circulation, diverting waste from…

Council News

WHITTLESEA: Milestone for Beveridge

The City of Whittlesea has welcomed continued progress on the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct, with a significant milestone reached as ground was officially broken ground on Stage 1 of the nationally important freight infrastructure project.The project will support increased rail freight capacity between Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.Stage 1 will deliver essential rail access and the…

Health

YARRA RANGES: Urgent care clinic at Lilydale

Access Health and Community will operate the new Lilydale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.Yarra Ranges Mayor Cr Richard Higgins (pictured) said the new clinic would make a real difference for residents in Lilydale and surrounding areas.The Lilydale UCC will operate seven days a week with extended hours, helping to ease pressure on Maroondah Hospital and provide…