Latest articles by Jon Fleetwood
City of Melbourne backs “Swimmable Birrarung” vision with new plan
Melburnians could one day take a summer dip in the Yarra River through Southbank, with the City of Melbourne outlining its most detailed roadmap yet to make the Birrarung swimmable by 2050.
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Southbank station cuts hours as police vacancies bite
Southbank Police Station has dramatically reduced its opening hours amid ongoing staffing shortages across Victoria Police, with the station’s commander, Snr Sgt Alex O’Toole, confirming that vacancies are affecting every station in the inner city.
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Port Melbourne local launches Voices for Macnamara to back independent candidates
Port Melbourne local Thomas Dolan has launched a new grassroots political movement, Voices for Macnamara, aimed at identifying and supporting community-backed independents ahead of the 2026 Victorian election.
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Crossbenchers criticise police for weak response to Camp Sovereignty neo-Nazi attack
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Victoria Police have been criticised for holding back on investigating and prosecuting the Camp Sovereignty attack as a hate crime, despite mounting pressure from the crossbench.
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Twenty-storey Southbank tower planned for Sturt St
A proposed $80 million, 20-storey residential tower on Sturt St has received conditional support from City of Melbourne planning officers, who have advised that the Minister for Planning should not object to the project.
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Mildura council has its eye on one of Melbourne’s most famous pieces of public art
In a bizarre PR stunt, Mildura Rural City Council has placed Melbourne “on notice”, requesting the transfer of Ron Robertson-Swann’s sculpture Vault from its current home in Southbank to the state’s tropical north.
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“City Road 2.0”: Council’s Normanby Rd ambitions restricted by key stakeholders
The City of Melbourne has mooted its intention to progress with the Normanby Road Reserve expansion. However, the delivery of the proposed 1.2-hectare park remains in limbo due to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) holding off on endorsing the project.
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Council releases draft CCTV expansion policy
The City of Melbourne has unveiled its draft CCTV policy, granting authorised council officers the power to use the cameras as part of Local Law investigations.
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South Melbourne’s first British-Indian pub to open its doors
Nikita Kaur Chopra started her career in medical science. However, after years in the lab she felt herself becoming drawn to a career in hospitality.
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Federal government to fund new exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance
A new exhibition exploring the role of animals in war will be delivered at the Shrine of Remembrance following federal investment.
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Property developers listed among council’s Asia Business Mission delegates
Property developers have been included in the City of Melbourne’s civic delegation for the upcoming Asia Business Mission that has a focus on the green economy and health sector.
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Community shows support after Camp Sovereignty attack
In the wake of an attack on Camp Sovereignty in Kings Domain on August 31, the community has rallied behind it.
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“Roads, rates, rubbish and rock ‘n’ roll”: council gears up for AC/DC
The City of Melbourne will host a concert and support the creation of an AC/DC installation to celebrate the band’s cultural legacy in Melbourne, coinciding with the band’s shows at the MCG.
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Fred Again to conferences: the story behind one of Melbourne’s hottest event spaces
Tucked away in Fishermans Bend, The Timber Yard sits amid warehouses, apartments, and car dealerships and while its name pays homage to its past life, what lies behind the front gate is one of Melbourne’s most unique event spaces.
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What lies behind Melbourne’s slow uptake of EV chargers in apartments?
Jamie Schachter and his wife are proud electric vehicle (EV) owners, and when they decided to relocate from Queensland to Melbourne, they discovered it wasn’t easy to find an apartment with EV charging stations.
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Southbank OCs slow to adopt EV charging infrastructure
Despite electric vehicle (EV) sales reaching record highs in 2024, Southbank is lagging behind in implementing the infrastructure required for residents to easily charge their vehicles.
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What would it take to make the Yarra swimmable?
Support for making the Yarra River swimmable reached Town Hall, with prospect of cleaner and safer river brewing excitement in council chambers.
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Council greenlights expansion and upgrade of Safe City Camera Network
The City of Melbourne is moving forward with Safe City Camera Program as a part of its crackdown on city crime.
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“Red rag to bull”: Insurance company takes advantage of Southbank’s flood mapping
In 2023, Southbank resident Roy Byrnes was knocked back from receiving contents insurance for his Kavanagh St apartment.
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Council revises its civic recognition policy
The City of Melbourne has revised its Civic Recognition policy following backlash from councillors over British popstar Robbie Williams being given a key to the city without consultation.
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