Council

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.

Port Phillip Council is asking for feedback on a proposal that would breathe new life into a part of the municipality that has been struggling for years by replacing land for cars with land for people. Nick Bailey, ANAM Renewal Director, puts the case for Option A.

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.

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.

St Kilda Beach is being temporarily renamed Patrick Beach as World Cup fever grips Melbourne.

The South Melbourne Town Hall has stood as a proud sentinel of our civic history for generations. Its bluestone foundations and towering spire do not just map our skyline—they anchor our community’s soul. Michael Sabada fears that council is planning a sanitized, artificial event space by closing Bank Street.

Port Phillip Council has approved a major childcare redevelopment on Argyle Street despite councillors publicly questioning why the broader precinct has no master plan.

Caravans, boats and trailers left on Port Phillip streets for extended periods could soon attract fines under proposed changes to the council’s local law.

A petition calling for debate on bike lanes and other road safety policies to be postponed has prompted Council officers to recommend deferring the discussion until the August meeting.

St Kilda Community Housing has asked council for $250,000 a year for two years to help rough sleepers get off the streets after 17 knock backs from other potential funders.