Columns » Southbank Residents’ Association

A new council, but will there be any changes?

A new council, but will there be any changes?

February 5th, 2025 - Tony Penna

Firstly, welcome to 2025. I trust the holiday season was a time for our community to relax and reflect on the year gone and the year ahead.

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Another year has passed …

December 4th, 2024 - Tony Penna

It has been a big year for Southbank, with much development and in some aspects progress.

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So, the council election is now over and we are waiting for the dust to settle to learn of the winner

November 6th, 2024 - Tony Penna

As we have for the past 25 years, Southbank Residents Association (SRA) held a “Meet the Candidates” event for our community to ask their questions. This was once again a full house affair, not only for attendees but for a Melbourne Cup field of mayoral candidates too, in fact a record number for the 10 years I have been president.

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Council elections: who are you voting for?

October 9th, 2024 - Tony Penna

Yet again, council elections are upon us. It seems like only yesterday our Southbank Residents’ Association (SRA) committee was planning its last “Meet the Candidates” event giving the community the opportunity to ask their questions and hear directly from the candidates. 

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Dismay over council’s e-scooter backflip

September 4th, 2024 - Tony Penna

Last month council made the surprise decision to cancel the contracts of the two e-scooter operators, Neuron and Lime.

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E-scooters, E-bikes a burning issue for all of us. Are they a ticking time-bomb?

August 7th, 2024 - Tony Penna

With the increasing use of lithium-ion batteries within our homes, whether for an e-scooter, bike, power tools or even our mobile phones, we need to ensure we are aware of their risks.

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Southbank receives more lip service from the council

July 2nd, 2024 - Tony Penna

Well, here we are at the end of the financial year and the City of Melbourne has handed down its budget for 2024/25. And, once again, it’s somewhat underwhelming from a Southbank perspective.

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City of Melbourne councillor: “Don’t poke the Penna bear!”

June 4th, 2024 - Tony Penna

This was the response from Cr Rohan Leppert at the City of Melbourne’s Future Melbourne Committee meeting last month to discuss items in Southbank. I didn’t hold back in that meeting, and I make no apologies for calling them out.

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Open space

May 8th, 2024 - Tony Penna

We note some exciting, but interesting, items on the council Future Melbourne Committee agenda for May 7.

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Power St safety woes continue

April 3rd, 2024 - Tony Penna

Sadly, once again a truck has taken out the newly installed fencing on the corner of Power St and City Rd. The incident happened on Monday March 25 about 8pm. Luckily, no one was injured.

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Too much mess on the streets of Southbank

March 6th, 2024 - Tony Penna

Why are we receiving lip service about the cleaning of our streets? It has really started to irritate me of late.

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Welcome to 2024, Southbank

February 7th, 2024 - Tony Penna

We trust that everyone was able to find some downtime over the break to recharge for hopefully an exciting 2024.

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Weighing in on Southbank Promenade

December 5th, 2023 - Tony Penna

As mentioned in my October column, I’d like to discuss Southbank Promenade this month. 

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Council street safety review misses the mark

November 7th, 2023 - Tony Penna

If you missed it, Southbank Residents’ Association (SRA) in collaboration with City of Melbourne, hosted a forum for the council to announce new pedestrian road safety projects.

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Come hear from your local Men’s Shed

October 4th, 2023 - Tony Penna

Your Southbank Residents’ Association (SRA) committee has quite a bit planned for this month and we hope you will be able to find some time out from the beautiful sunshine we are now experiencing.

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Launching our new app

September 6th, 2023 - Tony Penna

Southbank Residents’ Association (SRA) held its 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the end of August and made a massive announcement.

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Another big media month for Southbank 

August 9th, 2023 - Tony Penna

Climate change and rising sea levels are a significant issue to Southbank, which should be of pressing concern to the City of Melbourne.

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Sustainability and why it matters

July 5th, 2023 - Southbank News

One of the important things we can all do to support a more sustainable society is to talk about sustainability and why it matters. 

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Is there an opportunity?

July 5th, 2023 - Tony Penna

Firstly, I would like to start by thanking all those who reached out to me with their kind words of support for my 100th column last month. I never realised my monthly writings were often anxiously read by so many loyal Southbank News followers. 

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One hundred columns! Who would have thought?

June 7th, 2023 - Tony Penna

I write this column with surprise. My first column was edition 25 of Southbank News in November 2013 after being elected as president at the October 2013 AGM.

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