Politics » Council Affairs
Southbank emerges a winner in City of Melbourne’s draft budget
The City of Melbourne’s 2026-27 draft budget is, on balance, a prudent one. However for Southbank, the more immediate story is that the suburb appears to be one of the clearer beneficiaries of this year’s spending plan.
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Red Stairs saga ends with more consultation
After years of complaints, a shelved design competition and another round of promised consultation, the City of Melbourne has finally resolved to get on with renewing Southbank’s much-maligned Red Stairs.
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“Need to get our own backyard in order”: SRA’s plea to council on graffiti
An endorsement of the City of Melbourne’s improved graffiti management was tempered by comments from Southbank Residents’ Association president Tony Penna urging attention to persistent problem areas as well as big picture initiatives.
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Port Phillip and Melbourne join statewide council response to Bondi massacre, condemning antisemitism
Local governments across Victoria have united in an extraordinary show of solidarity following the horrific mass shooting at Bondi Beach, with the Cities of Port Phillip and Melbourne among the first to sign a joint statement condemning antisemitism and supporting Australia’s Jewish communities.
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City of Melbourne secures state grant for new Southbank Library
The City of Melbourne has received a $550,000 state government grant to help deliver the new Southbank Library at Boyd Village, marking the next major step in the transformation of the community hub alongside the recently completed Indi Southbank development.
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Alex Makin elected as new Port Phillip Mayor
Montague Ward councillor Alex Makin has been elected as Mayor of the City of Port Phillip, marking a new chapter for the municipality after a year in which he has earned respect for his pragmatic leadership and strong focus on collaboration.
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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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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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Council orders internal audit over City Rd advocacy complaint
The City of Melbourne will conduct an internal audit following a formal complaint from the Southbank Residents’ Association president Tony Penna, who accused the council of failing to follow a binding resolution regarding City Road Master Plan advocacy.
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New chapter for Southbank: library expansion moves to consultation
A long-anticipated new chapter is under way for Southbank’s growing community, as the City of Melbourne moves ahead with plans for a significantly expanded public library and upgraded community hub.
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Melbourne unveils ambitious new economic strategy to cement global standing
The City of Melbourne has adopted a bold new economic roadmap designed to future-proof the municipality.
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Miles and Dodds upgrade raises questions about the City of Melbourne’s approach to greening Southbank
After three rounds of community consultation, the City of Melbourne has approved the expansion of Southbank’s Miles and Dodds Street Reserve, despite a divided community response.
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City of Melbourne accused of weak City Rd advocacy efforts
The City of Melbourne has come under scrutiny for its “flimsy” approach to advocacy for the City Road Master Plan, which according to some locals, has set a “dangerous” precedent.
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Council continues to monitor parking changes in Southbank Village
The City of Melbourne says it will continue to investigate further changes to new parking arrangements in Southbank Village following several rounds of community consultation.
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Southbank Village has a new local member
The Liberals claimed victory in the Prahran by-election on February 8, with South Yarra resident and long-time Liberal Party member Rachel Westaway claiming the seat.
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“A massive win for Southbank”: Kings Way northern undercroft funding secured
The federal government has announced a fresh round of funding that will bring the City of Melbourne’s vision for a renewed northern undercroft on City Rd in Southbank to life.
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Collaboration and Fishermans Bend priorities for Montague’s new councillor
Community collaboration and the pursuit of funding commitments for urban renewal in Fishermans Bend will be front and centre for Montague Ward’s newly elected councillor Alex Makin.
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Nick Reece sworn in as Melbourne’s Lord Mayor
In what was a tight race for Town Hall amid one of the most stacked and competitive fields in recent memory, incumbent Lord Mayor Nick Reece has emerged successful and was sworn in as Melbourne’s Lord Mayor on November 19.
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“An extraordinary councillor”: Rohan Leppert calls time at the City of Melbourne
Few figures are respected and admired right across the political spectrum, but outgoing Greens councillor Rohan Leppert leaves behind one such legacy at the City of Melbourne after 12 years of dedicated community service.
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What’s the true cost of the council’s Southbank public art commissions?
The short answer is nowhere near the $22 million price tag reported by The Age last month; however, the City of Melbourne has left much to be desired in terms of how it has communicated its public art project for Southbank to date.
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Southbank police staff get back parking permits
The good, bad, and delayed: Council releases “honest account” of how key projects are tracking
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