AirBNB tax risks Maldon tourism eco-system
The proposed Short Stay Levy Bill 2024 will contribute to unsustainable financial burdens on accommodation providers in our region while not easing the rental housing crisis, local businesses claim. The so-called ‘AirBnB Tax’ was introduced by Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson to the Victorian Parliament on Tuesday 27 August and passed the Lower House last week, paving the way for a 7.5 per cent levy to be imposed on short stay accommodation bookings from 1 January 2025.
Maldon triumphs in grand finals: Football and netball teams bring home the premiership
It was a weekend to remember for the Maldon Football and Netball Club, with both the Under 17.5s Football and Under 17s Netball teams claiming Grand Final victories on Saturday. The young stars made their club and community proud, capping off an incredible season with hard-fought wins.
This town’s got talent!
A new play by Cathouse Players is set in France and will be performed in Kyneton, but its star performers are Maldon and Castlemaine locals. ‘Trap for a Lonely Man’ is an intriguing mystery featuring familiar faces ... The Hitchcockian suspense is high in this 1960 comedy-mystery by French playwright and actor, Robert Thomas.
Nostalgia as café closes
It seemed natural that café owner Katrine Elliott would reflect and become nostalgic when speaking about the closure of the business that she has steered through more than 17 years. The iconic Berryman’s Café and Tearooms will cease operations on Sunday 29 September and hold a clearing sale in the following week.
Newstead energy: Community Q&A
Close to 50 members of the Newstead community participated in a question-and-answer session about the Newstead Community Energy Project on Thursday 22 August, following the launch of the new solar farm. Representatives from project partners Renewable Newstead and Flow Power were on hand to explain the thinking behind the partnership, some technological context and the benefits to consumers for joining the project.
Renewable energy in Newstead
Newstead hosted a horde of prominent politicians, TV crews and corporates in high-visibility vests last week at its innovative solar farm. Minister for Energy and Resources, the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio, accompanied by Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards, visited on Thursday 22 August to officially open the Newstead Community Energy Project, initiated by locals under the banner of Renewable Newstead.
Remembering Vietnam Veterans
Maldon RSL Sub-Branch hosted a moving service to observe Vietnam Veterans Day ... at the memorial cenotaph in Maldon Gardens and welcomed Veterans, family members and others who wished to pay their respects.
Great southern lights
August has been an exceptional month for aurora-spotting and photographers have been sharing their extraordinary images online, making everyone else glance skyward with envy. With its elevated position and lack of light pollution, Mount Tarrengower has been a perfect place from which to capture these night rainbows, as Karen Cordell showed in this gorgeous photo that she took with her phone last week.
Golf tournament
The Maldon Golf Club Annual Tournament takes place this coming weekend ... is expected to attract players from across the state and beyond. Club Secretary Bob Briggs says that up to 180 golfers from over 20 regional clubs will be represented. "Most district clubs try to support each other," he says. "They come to Maldon and have a day away."
Truck petition en route to Parliament
The Maldon Heavy Traffic Petition commenced a new leg of its journey to Parliament last week, when members of the Maldon Traffic Group (MTG) presented the document to the Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards. The petition, which requests a comprehensive State Government review into the nature and level of heavy vehicle traffic through Maldon, was prompted by concerns for pedestrian and driver safety ...
