Council

Councillors have voted unanimously to sell council land to Coles to facilitate the redevelopment of the existing supermarket, along with additional retail, housing, and public space on the expanded site.

Unanimous voting on both the Homelessness and Housing Strategy and a draft new Community Safety Plan could not conceal a testy atmosphere at the last Council meeting. The crucial unresolved protocol between police and council may overshadow community consultation that starts 6 October.

The lease on The Vineyard in O’Donnell Gardens will expire in April next year without the council having any idea what to do with this prime location. It’s a sorry saga that is sadly unsurprising. TWiSK has been asking questions.

Mayor Louise Crawford and Deputy Mayor Bryan Mears attended the recent Mayors Combatting Antisemitism Summit on the Gold Coast. They provided this report for TWiSK.

Housing First has started construction of 68 new homes in Balaclava in partnership with Homes Victoria

A delegation from the public will now be able to present at Council meetings after a series of changes to governance rules were narrowly passed at last Tuesday’s meeting. However, the process to initiate a delegation is yet to be worked out. TWiSK reports on this and other changes.

TWiSK has branded the 2 September Council agenda as ‘Tricky Tuesday’ in recognition of the Council’s desire to keep some ‘tricky’ issues on the ‘QT’.

Council is hoping to finish landscaping and other works on the landside of St Kilda Pier before the St Kilda Festival

East St Kilda / Balaclava will be the first precinct to receive the Urban Forest treatment under a bold plan to lift tree canopy from 20% to 30% by 2040.

Councillors have backed a plan to expand off-leash dog areas across Port Phillip including a major expansion of access to Elwood Beach over summer.