Council

The announcement last week of $350M for an upgrade to the Albert Park GP Pit Building has prompted an angry reaction from sports clubs and park lovers.

In 37 pages, former magistrate and coroner Ian Gray has skillfully compiled the results of the Council’s Community Safety Roundtable into an insightful, streetwise, and reasonable set of recommendations. But will the report ignite action?

Rachel Westaway, the newly elected MP for Prahran (which includes parts of St Kilda south of Windsor including the Town Hall and St Kilda Primary), says safety is the #1 issue raised by locals. She is second in our replies from local MPs on safety.

We zoomed with Mayor Cr Louise Crawford to discuss what’s coming up in May at council.

Community consultation on a trial of dog-poo bag dispensers is back on the agenda, but so is a hike in registration fees to cover the cost to ratepayers.

David Southwick, State MP for Caulfield (which includes parts of St Kilda, Balaclava and Ripponlea) has responded to a TWiSK survey for MPs about community safety. We’ve invited all local MPs to submit responses for publication in future weeks.

Council officers have recommended against providing dog waste bags in dog parks. Plus questions asked about cancelling yet another Council meeting – the third this year.

TWiSK sat down with Inspector Brett Coloe, Local Area Commander Port Phillip, recently for a chat about policing in St Kilda and Port Phillip.

Just Imagine.……a better Balaclava asks Gerry McLoughlin, a local with big dreams for her corner of the world.

The age-old ritual of budget disputes continues at Council but with an unexpected twist.