News
The show must go on in uncertain times
Council has voted to keep diverting savings from the St Kilda Festival into local creative arts programs, describing the move as a lifeline for artists and organisations in hard times. TWiSK reports on the vote of confidence in the arts.
Carlisle Street $8M+ plan revealed
Council has approved the Carlisle Street Streetscape Plan and confirmed more than $8 million for staged works between 2025/26 and 2032/33. TWiSK was surprised by the scale of the funding and the staging – but we know good news when we see it.
St Kilda Penguins Local Community Days
Hurry, hurry, hurry. From Thursday, tix are available for four special viewing sessions reserved for locals only on 31 July and 1 August. Jump online to secure your spot – and rug up!
Council considers role in native title claim
Port Phillip Council is set to join the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People’s native title claim as a respondent, a procedural move expected to cost about $50,000 over several years and keep the municipality involved in talks affecting Council-managed Crown land, infrastructure and services.
Coles, Woolies and the Streetscape Shuffle
Council is set to endorse its Carlisle Street (Balaclava) Streetscape Plan. TWiSK reports ahead of Wednesday’s decision and finds four elephants, no budget and no timeline.
Satisfaction withheld
Council is sitting on the results of two crucial satisfaction reports. TWiSK lays out the facts so readers can decide whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied.
Budget scrapes through
Council passed its biggest-ever budget on Monday night after a testy two-hour meeting marked by councillor discontent. TWiSK reports on the mood and manoeuvres at the special budget meeting.
Council budget heads to Monday vote
While Council rates are set to rise by the rate cap of 2.5 per cent, the default waste charge will jump by over 20%. TWiSK reports on how Council plans to spend it’s record high $317M budget.
Police statement on local crime statistics
The Crime Statistics Agency released its latest crime data earlier this month. Statewide it found a 1% decline in reported crime in the year to 31 March 2026. TWiSK has the local data and an official statement from VicPol.
AI budget deep dive
On paper, Port Phillip remains financially low risk. But an AI-assisted comparison of the past three budgets shows a more complicated story: capped rates, rising waste charges, tight savings targets and a capital works program that keeps testing Council’s capacity to deliver.