Local council
Why trees in this east Melbourne suburb are disappearing at night
The city’s leafy eastern suburbs are quickly losing their greenery as private development and illegal tree-removing operations sweep the area.
- by Najma Sambul
Latest
Kinder surprise: 1100 kids in limbo as council pulls plug on kinder services
A Melbourne council will shut down dozens of kindergartens while another municipality is considering closing its kinder facilities due to cost pressures linked to the state government’s free kinder program.
- by Cara Waters
‘Flush it into the public domain’: Why so few councils publish interactions with developers
Just four of 79 Victorian councils are publishing contact between councillors and developers despite advice to keep a registry of activity up to date.
- by Rachael Dexter
‘You corrupt stain of a human’: Airbnb owner faces court over text message
The owner of an award-winning Airbnb property has appeared in court again after accusing a Hepburn Shire councillor of corruption following a bitter planning dispute.
- by Cameron Houston
Grand ale for Footscray as brewery gets council’s green light for old Franco Cozzo site
Maribyrnong council has reversed its previous decision, and now allows Moon Dog brewery to convert the old furniture showroom into a bar and music venue.
- by Lachlan Abbott
School or sports field? State and council in ‘absurd’ bidding war over Fishermans Bend site
An epic battle is brewing between Port Phillip council, the state government and sporting codes over land near North Port Oval.
- by Rachael Dexter
Techno Park residents chant and sing outside Hobsons Bay council
Video from the rally on Tuesday night outside Hobsons Bay council. Organisers say up to 150 attended, made speeches and sang a tenant rights song.
Council blocks locals from meeting after evicted residents plan peaceful rally outside
Hobsons Bay council cancelled its public meeting at the last minute on Tuesday night, citing security concerns, after a group including families and retirees planned a peaceful protest.
- by Rachael Dexter and Najma Sambul
The $8 million netball courts no one has been allowed to use
Eight new netball courts were officially opened last year in Melbourne’s inner north – but netballers have never set foot on them because of red tape over mounds of dirt and a lease.
- by Cara Waters
Locals rail against ‘disgraceful’ ticketing system for council meetings
A councillor in Melbourne’s south-west wants residents to speak freely as frustrated locals say they are being locked out of council meetings.
- by Najma Sambul
Duress alarms, hotlines, guards: Councils up security after disruptions
Fringe conspiracy groups have increasingly disrupted council meetings across Melbourne, in some cases lobbing abuse and threats at councillors.
- by Rachael Dexter