Locals opposing efforts to erect a large advertising billboard at Chewton on a main entryway into Castlemaine say they’ll be fighting the proposal at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) this month.
And they’re encouraging all who share their opposition to attend two public events and be part of photographs they plan to use to help argue their case before the tribunal.
The council in February unanimously voted to refuse an application seeking to erect the large advertising sign, measuring 8.25 metres in length and a maximum 5.1 metres in height with a display face of 8.3 metres wide by 2.1 metres high, at 188 Duke Street, Castlemaine, a key gateway entry to the town.
The application lodged by applicant James Course had attracted 16 formal objections.
However, not deterred by the council decision, the applicant has since taken the matter to VCAT in the hope the civil arbiter will overturn the council decision.
A VCAT hearing is now set for July 29 and while the proponents behind the proposed billboard are expected to argue their case to enable the structure to go ahead, the council will be stating its case against the proposal as will objectors like resident Joel Meadows.
“It will have about 1km visibility,” says the local resident whose home would be among those closest to the advertising structure should it proceed.
“The proposed eyesore would face both ways, meaning we will get nearly 36 square metres of advertising entering and leaving Castlemaine, right next to Forest Creek, the National Park and Creek Trail and amongst lots of residential houses,” Mr Meadows says.
“Once installed, we will have no say over who gets to plaster their messages on our town, yelling at us silently every day.
“It reduces the beauty of Castlemaine’s entryway. You’ll be able to see it from the walking track.”
He and others are encouraging those opposing the billboard to gather on Saturday July 23, 11am at the top of the Wesley Hill Market and on the same day at 12 midday at the Leanganook-Forest Creek trail and be part of a group photo.
“If you don’t want another billboard in our town, and a precedent for more to come then come along to participate in a community photo that will form part of the objection we are taking to VCAT,” said Mr Meadows, who is also encouraging those who attend to “wear or bring something red to show you don’t want this proposal to go ahead”.
“There are ten houses where the residents will see it pretty much from their homes. It matters to us. It’s not an industrial area.”
“I’m making a representation to VCAT, representing community objectors. I don’t think anyone wants it.”
Another resident, Esther Ten Brink is among local objectors who hold similar concerns about the potential impacts of the proposed billboard.
“It will just be clutter in the landscape. I don’t want to see the advertisements,” she said.

Chewton has a new street sculpture.

The new addition to the little locality’s larger-than-life carved timber collection, gracing its main thoroughfare, pays homage to font of local historical knowledge, Chewton’s Elaine Appleton (nee Jury).

The local go-to person for all matters local history has lived in Chewton all her life – in fact she’s the fifth generation of her family line to live in Chewton’s Eureka Street.

The 84-year-old Chewtonian is especially well recognised for her considerable and ongoing volunteer contribution to recording and conserving the area’s rich past through means including film, written and recorded word and photographic images.

Following its ceremonious unveiling on Sunday, the new sculpture of the Appleton likeness now graces a site opposite Chewton’s Red Hill Hotel.

Carved by talented Fulham-based chainsaw sculptor, John Brady, it brings to six the total tally of such streetscape sculptures that acknowledge and celebrate some of Chewton’s most significant and celebrated entities, including some dating back to the 1800s goldrush era.

Mount Alexander Shire mayor Cr Bill Maltby helped officially unveil the Elaine Appleton sculptural addition on Sunday afternoon and the event was attended by about 70 people some sporting period costume for the occasion.

“It’s of a younger version of me,” the delighted local noted of the new sculpture.

“It’s of me when I was about 50 which was about the time I really began recording the history.”

“It brought a tear to my eye,” she said of the honour.

Plans are now afoot to continue adding to the collection of Chewton streetscape sculptures with some of those on the to-do list ahead including sculptures honouring the area’s Aboriginal Indigenous heritage and also its Chinese history.

Others planned include sculptures of J.B.Patterson, a former local pioneer of the area who went on to become premier of Victoria; J.W. Sparks a noted former town clerk and engineer; and the ‘Soldier in the Park’ aka Robert Archer who was blinded in WWI and narrowly escaped death when shrapnel pierced his wallet instead of his body.