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A new community meal train could help new and expecting Kyneton families in the first stages at home together.

Birth doula Mary Giordano aims to build stronger community support for new families through the initiative after recognising a need.

“I work with various families in my role and I regularly see a lack of support in the post-partum period,” she said.

“I really want to help develop a sense of community for people around that period that can be challenging.”

With a strong background in the community development sector, Ms Giordano moved to Kyneton from Melbourne one year ago and is keen to help build connections.

The food train aims to encourage volunteer community cooks to help new families get the nourishment they need.

New or expecting families can nominate themselves, or can be nominated by someone else for assistance. They provide details about special dietary requirements, number of people in the family, period for which they would like to receive meals, how much space they have for storing frozen meals and any special requests.

“Community members can nominate themselves as participants of food trains willing to cook and deliver a wholesome meal for a nominated family at some point in the requested window,” Ms Giordano said.

“Elders in the community and local businesses are also welcome to join the food train to support local families. People are welcome to prepare a one off dish to deliver, or to make multiple offerings over a given time frame.

“No minimum is required – it’s really up to the individual how much they’d like to contribute.”

Ms Giordano will coordinate the first stage of the initiative to avoid food wastage, families receiving lots of the same thing, or receiving too much at the same time with insufficient storage capacity. As the initiative grows she says further coordination support may be required.

“My hope is that we will have more people willing to contribute to the making and delivering of meals than those in need at any given time so that it balances out in a sustainable way,” she said.

Anyone that would like to get involved in donating, cooking, delivery, coordination efforts, or those seeking support, is encouraged to contact Ms Giordano on 0431 528 009 or via email: mary@madreluna.com.au

Birth doula Mary Giordano aims to build stronger community support for new families after recognising a need.

Lights or roundabout?

Traffic lights and roundabout options are being explored to upgrade New Gisborne's Barringo and Hamilton Roads intersection.

Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson said both options were designed to improve safety and alleviate congestion as anticipated traffic volumes to the Sports Precinct increase.

“Traffic projections estimate that the amount of vehicles travelling through this intersection is set to double by 2036, highlighting the need to realign and upgrade the existing intersection to help keep motorists, cyclists and pedestrians safe,” she said.

The intersection upgrade will be the key gateway to the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct — a 15-hectare regional park that will provide sport and recreation facilities.

Both options require a realignment of the Hamilton Road western approach to align with the eastern approach.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is seeking community feedback on the proposed design options by 5pm on September 30. All feedback will be presented to the council later this year.

To have your say, visit: mrsc.vic.gov.au/yoursay and complete a short survey, send a written submission or call 5422 0333.