NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION - August 2025
Welcome to the TMR Macedon Ranges Visitor Economy Update!
TMR meets quarterly to share industry updates, project reports, and review issues impacting our industry. Here you will find news from TMR and our Stakeholders including a range of opportunities for your businesses.
We look forward to seeing you at the Macedon Ranges Business Breakfast.
Tickets on sale now! Be quick as they will sell out.
AROUND THE REGION
First up, don’t forget to grab your tickets for the Macedon Ranges Business Breakfast. This will be a sell-out event held in conjunction with the Macedon Ranges Shire and supported by Gisborne & District Community Bank.
IN OTHER GREAT NEWS - The Lost Trades Fair is returning to Hanging Rock in March 2026. This fantastic event is a great opportunity for local businesses to attract visitors and boost overnight stays. Industry are encouraged to consider opportunities for midweek events to encourage overnight visitation to the region.
MRSC IS A BUSINESS FRIENDLY COUNCIL
Meanwhile, Macedon Ranges Shire Council is working to make doing business easier through their Business Friendly Councils initiative, which is led by the MRSC economic development team to help streamline approvals and support local growth and aims to improve the end-to-end approvals process for businesses and make it easier to start and grow a business in the Shire. The Economic Development team are leading this project, which is being delivered by Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.
WORKSHOPS
If you’re interested in improving your event planning skills, The Visitor Economy Team are facilitating a series of event planning workshops in September and October (10/9; 17/9; 8/10; & 15/10) as part of their capacity building remit for events in the Shire.
Workshop topics will include:
• Accessible and Inclusive Events - Learn how to design and deliver events that welcome everyone. We’ll cover removing physical and social barriers, meeting legal obligations, and embedding accessibility and inclusion into every stage of your planning.
• Volunteer Management - Volunteers are the backbone of many events. This session explores how to recruit the right people, provide effective training, and support your team on the ground so they’re confident, capable, and motivated.
• Risk Assessment - Demystify the risk assessment process. We’ll show you how to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and implement practical controls that actually work – without drowning in paperwork.
• Waste Management - Good waste planning keeps your site clean, safe, and sustainable. You’ll learn how to manage waste streams, meet environmental targets, and improve the overall experience for attendees.
More details will be available on the MRSC website soon.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
On the community engagement side, our BATA groups are actively working to energise their towns.
Business Kyneton is hosting events like the International Women’s Day Luncheon and monthly Coffee Mornings.
The Woodend Traders Group, led by their newly formed executive committee, is organising initiatives to encourage local shopping, and they’re seeking grant funding for their “Thriving Villages” project.
Macedon and Mount Macedon are strengthening their social media campaigns and addressing signage and 5G issues , while the Eastern Macedon Ranges are engaging with their members via after work catchups and supporting the Town Centre Activation Teams in 3 villages to maintain momentum.
The EMRBATA committee is currently developing guidelines for its highly anticipated mentoring program, which is considered essential for fostering member engagement and supporting future succession planning, while continuing to advocate for members and local initiatives, including supporting the Romsey and Lancefield Districts Historical Society’s MRSC funding application for Seymour Cottage, advancing discussions to improve the Council’s Place of Assembly permit process, and advocating for local road maintenance. EMRBATA are also continuing to engage with local business via regular morning catchup events and of course, their annual Business Breakfast event.
The Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association have launched ticket sales for their 2025 Budburst Event and invite enquiries about Sponsorship and umbrella events. Information available here or contact events@mrva.com.au
Head over to our Industry Events Calendar for opportunities to get involved.
THRIVING VILLAGES UPDATES
