Latest articles by Jon Fleetwood
Hawke St residents question council process after linear park redesign
West Melbourne residents say they are frustrated and disappointed after the City of Melbourne revealed that the long-planned Hawke Street Linear Park will need to be redesigned, pushing construction back by several years.
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Federal funding lifeline keeps Cohealth Kensington clinic open as long-term future remains uncertain
Three Cohealth GP-led community health clinics in Melbourne’s inner north and west have been granted a temporary reprieve, after the federal government stepped in with emergency funding to keep services operating until July 2026.
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Council green-lights major expansion of Chapman Street Reserve
North Melbourne is set for a significant boost in greenery, with the City of Melbourne approving the final concept plan for the expansion of Chapman Street Reserve as part of its new Garden City campaign.
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Parliamentary Inquiry calls for Victorian Government to pause public housing demolition
A parliamentary inquiry has recommended that the Victorian Government halt work on its plan to demolish and redevelop 44 public housing towers, prompting renewed calls from community legal centres for greater transparency and evidence behind the policy.
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Council selects partner for key worker housing project in West Melbourne
The City of Melbourne has selected a preferred community housing provider (CHP) to develop new affordable housing for key workers on council-owned land in West Melbourne.
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Two new tram extensions proposed for Arden as part of Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy
Two major tram extensions into Arden have been proposed as part of Victoria’s new long-term infrastructure blueprint, with planners arguing the upgrades are critical to supporting population growth in the inner north-west.
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Supreme Court to hear appeal over North Melbourne and Flemington tower demolitions
Inner Melbourne Community Legal (IMCL) lodged the appeal to the Supreme Court on behalf of residents, over the government’s decision to demolish 44 towers by 2051.
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From luxury hotels to local favourite: meet the new owners of Sassy Italian Restaurant
After nearly two decades managing some of Australia’s most prestigious hotels, Pratik Raval and his wife Aurelia Wong have taken a leap into restaurant ownership, bringing their wealth of experience to Sassy Italian Restaurant.
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Does Melbourne need to become less car-centric?
John Symons is an economist and the president of the Melbourne-based cycling advocacy group Bike West, which has committed to a lifelong battle to change people’s attitudes towards cycling infrastructure.
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QVM traders suffer a temporary hit due to tram upgrades
Major tram works have commenced along Victoria and Elizabeth streets, with tram tracks being replaced and platforms expanded outside the Queen Victoria Market (QVM).
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Queensberry Cup returns for a fourth year
The Queensberry Cup has become one of North Melbourne’s most highly anticipated community events, and it will return for a fourth year this month.
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Council calls for the release of long-awaited West Gate Tunnel Project traffic modelling
Following repeated delays to West Gate Tunnel traffic mitigation projects, the City of Melbourne has called on the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to release the traffic modelling that is justifying their decision not to commence the works.
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Flood mitigation study results revealed
A flood mitigation study conducted by Melbourne Water has revealed that protecting homes and enhancing emergency facilities are the top priorities for communities surrounding the Maribyrnong River.
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The story behind SWiM Communications
When Joe Manariti moved his digital agency, SWiM Communications, to North Melbourne, he didn’t just find a new office, he discovered that his family had deep connections to the area.
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PDG to start construction on West Melbourne build-to-rent
Melbourne-based property developer PDG is set to deliver a new build-to-rent (BTR) project in West Melbourne.
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Australian Wool Testing Authority site is up for sale in Kensington
After more than half a century, the Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd (AWTA Ltd) is preparing to part ways with its long-standing Melbourne home in Kensington.
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Westgate tunnel mitigation works to begin this year
A raft of traffic mitigation projects will commence construction later this year as a part of the jointly funded $100 million Transport Amenity Program (TAP) between the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne.
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Housing Minister “stonewalls” public housing transparency probe
Victoria’s Housing Minister, Harriet Shing, has defended the government’s redevelopment of 44 public housing towers, despite growing criticism of its opaque approach.
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Council moves ahead with Royal Park Master Plan
The City of Melbourne will progress to final stages of design for the Royal Park Master Plan, following community outcry over a draft released earlier this year.
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Miami Hotel for sale after new permit approved
Weeks after the Miami Hotel Group received the green light from the Victorian Government to demolish its hotel within a heritage overlay, the property has been put on the market.
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