Local council
Councils pitch flexible rates to tackle ‘alarming’ funding crisis
Struggling councils want to be able to put rates on hold for two years but then raise them more over the next two, in a flexible approach to rate rises.
- by Rachael Dexter
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Opinion
City life
State Library should stay open at night for booze-free chats
Melbourne needs more third places. After 6pm, the library should say “laptops away” and turn the space from study zone into a place for booze-free conversation.
- by Simon Taylor
Council slams being shut out by state over plan for $1.6b tower project
A mayor in Melbourne’s east says her council only learnt that the planning minister had approved a huge development project when staff saw a news report.
- by Sophie Aubrey
Exclusive
City life
Councils alarmed by government orders that could double housing. See the plans for your area
Councils across Melbourne warn of fundamental changes to their suburbs after the state government ordered them to find space for millions of new homes.
- by Cara Waters and Josh Gordon
The heart of Footscray is full of empty, derelict sites. Locals blame ‘land banking’
Critics say land banking has become a problem with large commercial buildings in prime locations standing empty for years.
- by Najma Sambul
Exclusive
City life
Melbourne spent $2.2m greening four laneways. Some pot plants remain
The City of Melbourne program was completed in 2017, but there is little to show for the money now.
- by Cara Waters
The local council rich list: How much is your mayor paid?
Some Victorian council CEOs are raking in more than $500,000 a year, while mayors and councillors have received a modest pay rise and can earn between $26,000 and $260,000.
- by Melissa Cunningham
Yarra City Council debates a vote of no confidence in July 2021
Greens Cr Amanda Stone defends Cr Anab Mohamud, before Cr Mohamud leaves the video meeting.
Melbourne council rejects heritage plan for ‘ugly duckling’ South Yarra apartment
Even the owners did not want to protect the “six-pack flats” on Walsh Street called “Motstone”. A last-minute amendment on Tuesday night granted their wish.
- by Lachlan Abbott
Landlord rates could double under this councillor’s contentious housing proposal
Recent data showed investors were fleeing the Victorian property market, but that was offset by first home buyers buying in Melbourne.
- by Rachael Dexter
Residents oppose heritage listing for their ‘ugly duckling’ apartment block
The owners of a block of walk-up flats in South Yarra are angry that their 1960s, “poorly built” block is close to getting heritage status.
- by Sophie Aubrey