City life
New doco rides the roller coaster of St Kilda’s boom-bust history
After 40 years living in Melbourne’s bayside playground, Marianne Latham has made a film about its complex and colourful past.
- by Carolyn Webb
Latest
Middle Park Hotel’s epic rooftop bar dispute was likened to ‘The Castle’. Finally, there’s a winner
The historic pub is set for a new rooftop redevelopment, with restrictions, after VCAT settled the long-running dispute. Opponents have vowed to keep fighting.
- by Mathew Dunckley
‘Dumbfounded’ traders kicked out as Prahran Market shoots for ‘fresh’ look
They’ve invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in their businesses, but with a pen stroke these owners found themselves evicted and unemployed.
- by Sophie Aubrey
Pakenham locals craving light relief in fight over decorative street lamps
Residents of an outer suburban estate are fighting to save a series of expensive decorative lamp posts inspired by the Paris end of Collins Street.
- by Adam Carey
The forgotten Robin Boyd house open to the public for the first time
The little-known Wildwood home, designed by celebrated architect Robin Boyd in 1962, quietly went on sale last year. The couple who snapped it up are still pinching themselves.
- by Cara Waters
‘If Brighton and Daylesford had a baby’: The seaside cul de sac that could have been Melbourne’s CBD
It has no traffic lights and a “graceful, provincial” feel, but happy locals in this suburb still have a clear view of Melbourne’s skyscrapers.
- by Rachael Dexter
At 4pm, it’s feeding time: The ruthless efficiency of Melbourne’s tow trucks
As the peak-hour traffic builds, a platoon of trucks rumbles over the horizon looking for easy prey. Back at the impound yard, Queen’s song Another One Bites The Dust blares on the radio – and it could not be more apt.
- by Tom Cowie
Exclusive
Environmental threats
The asbestos clean-up in Melbourne parks has begun. It will cost ratepayers more than $500k
Residents of Hobsons Bay City Council are on the hook for over half a million dollars to replace asbestos-contaminated mulch, first found by a local father in April.
- by Rachael Dexter
How Maya – who was banned from dancing – found her groove
As a girl in Iran, she watched music videos in her room but being a professional dancer was not feasible. That changed when she came to Melbourne and joined hip-hop crew L2R.
- by Carolyn Webb
The ‘deep animus’ behind the beef between ABC boss and a radio legend
ABC chair Kim Williams says he hasn’t spoken to broadcaster Phillip Adams in 35 years and is puzzled by the animosity the former Late Night Live host has for him.
- by David Estcourt and Kishor Napier-Raman
Victoria needs 6000 new place names. It wants most to be the names of women
A survey found over 1400 places and roads around Victoria named after men, compared with 200 honouring women. A new campaign aims to tackle the disparity.
- by Tom Cowie