Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges
12 MAY, 2026
Morning tea takes flight
Ex-pilot Neil Spencer and pilot Sophia Eldridge are ready to welcome you to the Kyneton Airfield for the Biggest Morning Tea. (Damjan Janevski) 550462_04
Fly in to Kyneton to celebrate Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. Kyneton Aero Club is once again hosting a morning tea, featuring classic planes and cars alongside a cuppa. Committee member Sophia Eldridge said it’s a great event to visit the airfield and help raise money for Cancer Council. “It’s not only about raising money, but it’s also such a great way to connect with each other and enjoy passions you don’t always get to experience,” she said. “It’s not only just about aviation or about the cars, but to be able to gather together.” The free event is open to the whole community to come down and have a look at the impressive displays. The community can also find out more about the Kyneton Aero Club on the day. The Biggest Morning Tea will be held at the Kyneton Airfield, 1503 Kyneton-Metcalfe Road, Kyneton from 10.30am-1pm on Saturday 16 May. Details: kynetonaeroclub.org/wp/
Hamlet growth plan More than 2300 new houses, a new town centre, parks, education sites and more may soon transform the rural zone of Clarkefield into a bustling town. Planning documents for the development currently at the hands of the state government have been released, after Macedon Ranges council lobbied for more engagement and transparency on the proposed development. In February, Star Weekly reported that council had concerns about the proposed development, which it said would completely transform the rural landscape of the classified hamlet. The project bypassed council, with the planning minister the authority for its approval.
Council successfully got the state government to open community consultation on the project, and the almost 20 planning scheme amendments it requires. Included in the documents, the multi-lot staged subdivision will include medium to high density housing, with lot sizes ranging from 84m2 and 512m2. There will also be affordable and key worker housing included, with building heights ranging from one to four storeys in the town centre. The new township will be close to Clarkefield train station, with the plans prompting a safe street network to favour pedestrians and and cyclists. The subdivision will also have 95 per cent of homes within 400m street walking distance from the nearest or proposed bus stop, or 800m of the train station.
Two new local parks are included in the plans, as well as the redevelopment of the existing Clarkefield Recreation Reserve. Phase two of the development, which requires a future planning permit application, would include plans to establish a new centrally located hub with a new outdoor sports facility, a future education use, and a council multi-purpose community centre, a community farm, and a wetland parkland. No direct property access will be provided from Melbourne-Lancefield Road, with a new access point to the proposed Clarkefield township from the road. The existing intersection at Station Street and Melbourne-Lancefield Road will be altered. Mayor Kate Kendall called for the Macedon Ranges community to make its voice heard and make a submission, with
council actively working on its own. “This is a significant proposal for not only Clarkefield, but also the entire Macedon Ranges. All residents should take the chance to view it and have your voice heard,” she said. “With strong farming ties, and a peri-urban location including a train station, the future development of Clarkefield needs to be measured and carefully considered. Council intends to continue advocating for the best outcome for the community.” According to the state government, the community engagement will help inform the planning minister on whether to proceed with the project’s approval, with an assessment due in August. Consultation is open until 1 June on Engage Victoria’s website. Details: tinyurl.com/38cdfbw2
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By Georgia Tacey