Local council
Neighbours once tolerated a homeless settlement. Then rubbish started piling up
The encampment at a car park in Melbourne’s north started out with a campervan or two, but is now overflowing with timber offcuts, damaged furniture and old bike parts.
- by Sophie Aubrey
Latest
Multiple Melbourne councillors declare political donation conflict
In June nearly half of the current City of Melbourne councillors had to recuse themselves from a planning matter due to a conflict of interest from receiving political donations.
High and dry: Luxury health retreat in strife over magnesium spa
It was supposed to offer serenity and wellness, but neighbours of a South Melbourne wellness centre say an outdoor spa was built without a permit.
- by Cameron Houston
Lawn & order: Council tells resident to rip up his fake grass
The homeowner found himself in trouble when he wanted a lawn option that didn’t need regular mowing or upkeep but still looked nice.
- by Tom Cowie
Maribyrnong councillor failed to show for Europe flight before being found dead
Three-time Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter never arrived at the airport to meet her partner, who later found her dead at home on Tuesday, according to a friend.
- by Patrick Hatch, Sophie Aubrey, Paul Sakkal, Annika Smethurst and Cara Waters
Updated
Melbourne
Maribyrnong councillor and former mayor Sarah Carter found dead
Friends and colleagues were devastated by the death of the 45-year-old councillor, who they described as talented and empathetic.
- by Annika Smethurst, Cara Waters, Sophie Aubrey and Paul Sakkal
‘Racism, vigilantes’: Backlash over letting the public nominate homes for heritage protection
Opponents of the scheme claim people can nominate a home without an owner’s consent, which could prevent them undertaking renovations.
- by Tom Cowie
‘Kids and heavy industry don’t mix’: Backlash after childcare centre approved in industrial zone
A tribunal approved a childcare development in an industrial zone with chemical smells, ruling the children could play indoors “if the odour is particularly strong”.
- by Sophie Aubrey
No relief for owners of unsellable homes despite report confirming failures
Residents of a flooded retirement village face being marooned in homes rendered unsellable after a new report confirmed serious planning errors, yet rejected a government buyback scheme.
- by Sophie Aubrey and Clay Lucas
Lifting rates won’t save cash-strapped councils. Their residents can’t afford it
Victoria’s councils say they are straining under mounting costs, but higher rates won’t help because residents’ capacity to pay is reaching its limit.
- by Mathew Dunckley
‘Dumbfounded’ traders kicked out as Prahran Market shoots for ‘fresh’ look
They’ve invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in their businesses, but with a pen stroke these owners found themselves evicted and unemployed.
- by Sophie Aubrey