2026 Thriving Villages Update
What makes a village thrive?
Is it the bustling cafés, vibrant local businesses and welcoming town centres? Is it the ‘doers’, community groups and local leaders who bring people together? Or is it the unique character and sense of belonging that makes each village feel like home?
In the Macedon Ranges, it's all of these things—and more.
Our towns and villages are the heart of our region. They are where we gather, connect, celebrate, shop, work and build community. They create the lifestyle that we all value and the authentic experiences that attract visitors from across Victoria and beyond.
Local Action. Local People. Thriving Villages.
Across the Macedon Ranges there are people who care deeply about their towns.
They run businesses. They organise events. They support local causes. They welcome visitors. They look after neighbours. They have ideas about how their town centres could be even better. They're the people who roll up their sleeves and get things done.
We call them local ‘doers’.
The Macedon Ranges Thriving Villages initiative is about bringing these people together to create the positive change they want to see in their own communities.
Because thriving villages don't happen by accident.
They happen when local people work together.
A Time of Challenge and Opportunity
Like many regional communities, however, our towns face challenges. Changing consumer habits, economic pressures, workforce shortages and the lasting impacts of recent years have tested the resilience of local businesses and town centres.
Yet within every challenge lies an opportunity.
A Community-Led Vision for Change
The Macedon Ranges Thriving Villages Project is a community-led initiative designed to unlock that opportunity.
Developed by Tourism Macedon Ranges (TMR) and delivered in partnership with placemaking specialists Village Well, the Thriving Villages initiative brings together residents, businesses, community organisations and local government to imagine, plan and create vibrant futures for our town centres.
Rather than imposing solutions from the outside, the project empowers local people (doers) to identify what makes their village special and what actions can help it flourish.
Be Part of Something Bigger
From Gisborne to Kyneton, Lancefield to Woodend, and towns in between, communities across the Macedon Ranges are discovering the power of local action.
Each town has its own personality, strengths and opportunities. Some are known for their heritage streetscapes. Others for their food, wine, gardens, events or natural beauty. What they all share is a community of people who care about where they live.
The Thriving Villages initiative provides a way for those people to connect, collaborate and turn ideas into action.
It is not about waiting for someone else to fix things. It is about local people taking the lead, working together and making positive things happen.
Building on What Makes Our Towns Special
Every town already has valuable assets.
Passionate people. Local knowledge. Community spirit. Businesses. History. Stories. Landscapes. Events. Traditions.
The Thriving Villages approach starts with these strengths.
Rather than focusing on problems, we focus on possibilities.
What makes this place unique?
What do people love about it?
What opportunities already exist?
What small actions could make a big difference?
By identifying and building on local strengths, communities can create practical improvements that make their town centres more vibrant, welcoming and connected.
A Movement of Positive Doers
The initiative draws on the principles of the international movement Doing Co, (formerly the Town Team Movement), a growing network of positive and proactive communities creating better places through local action.
Individual Town Teams are built around a simple idea: when residents, businesses, landowners, community groups and local government work together, great things can happen.
The focus is on ACTION rather than advocacy.
On COLLABORATION rather than criticism.
On OPPORTUNITIES rather than obstacles.
And on creating momentum through many small wins that build confidence, energy and community pride.
What Could Success Look Like?
A thriving village looks different in every community.
It might be a new community event.
A beautification project.
A revitalised public space.
A stronger local business network.
Improved visitor experiences.
New partnerships.
Creative activations.
Better connections between residents, businesses, community groups and local government.
Or simply more people feeling proud of where they live.
Success is not defined by a single project.
It is measured by stronger relationships, greater community participation and a growing culture of people who are willing to have a go.
Everyone Has Something to Contribute
You don't need a title, a committee position or special expertise to help create positive change.
If you care about your community, you already have something valuable to contribute.
An idea.
A skill.
A connection.
A few hours of your time.
A willingness to get involved.
The Macedon Ranges Thriving Villages initiative is open to everyone who wants to help make their town centre an even better place to live, work, invest and visit.
Let's Make It Happen
The Macedon Ranges is already home to remarkable towns and remarkable people.
The opportunity now is to bring those people together, build on what is already working and create the positive change that communities want to see.
Because the future of our villages will not be shaped by plans sitting on shelves.
It will be shaped by local people taking action.
One idea.
One project.
One partnership.
One village at a time.
Together, we continue to create thriving villages across the Macedon Ranges.
Ready to Help Shape the Future of Your Town Centre?
Across the Macedon Ranges, local people are already coming together to create positive change in their communities. New ideas are emerging, partnerships are forming and momentum is building.
Local Town Teams have already developed Town Centre Activation Plans in Romsey, Lancefield, Riddells Creek and Malmsbury and are delivering projects. The State Government funded the Town Centre Activation Plan development (Tiny Towns Fund, Flood Recovery Fund), Community Bank Romsey and Lancefield and Community Bank Gisborne and Districts are supporting with project funding and Macedon Ranges Shire Council are assisting with project delivery.
The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has announced funding in the 2026/27 Budget for Town Centre Action Plan projects for Gisborne, Kyneton and Woodend.
Whether you're a business owner, community helper, resident, property owner or simply someone who cares about the future of your town centre, now is the time to get involved.
Every thriving community starts with people who are willing to have a conversation, share an idea and take action.
If you'd like to learn more about the Macedon Ranges Thriving Villages initiative, connect with a local Town Team, or explore how you can contribute to the future of your community, we'd love to hear from you.
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Contact Andrew Towner at teammacedonranges@gmail.com to link in to a growing movement of positive local doers helping create thriving villages across the Macedon Ranges.
