Local council
We surveyed your local election candidates. See what they really think
Use our interactive to find out which key issues candidates across 31 councils in Greater Melbourne say they will back if elected.
- by Cara Waters, Rachael Dexter and Nathanael Scott
Latest
How to vote in the 2024 Victorian council elections
Victorians are voting in council elections for candidates who will represent them for the next four years. Here’s everything you need to know.
- by Rachael Dexter and Cara Waters
Melbourne council accused of Orwellian interference in art event
Banyule council arranged the removal of two artists from promotional material for an exhibition because they are running as candidates in October’s local government elections.
- by Rachael Dexter
How a rule tweak left hundreds of thousands of ratepayers unable to vote
Under a controversial council election change, non-resident ratepayers had to opt in by early August to be able to vote. Many missed the cut, or didn’t know about it.
- by Sophie Aubrey
The day a 12-year-old boy was rescued from Melbourne's City Square fountains
Firefighters were hailed heroes in 1981 after bringing out, alive, a boy from an under water drain in the city square.
Quiet, windswept, devoid of trees: The ‘disaster’ neighbourhood created by too much housing
The inner-west precinct is widely seen as one of Victoria’s worst examples of urban renewal. And it may not be the last.
- by Sophie Aubrey
Exclusive
Education
Melbourne’s most overcrowded schools – and the thousands of homes being built near them
Use our interactive graphic to find out how full your school is – and if it’s about to come under more pressure.
- by Alex Crowe
Rundown corners of the city to become parks under lord mayor’s re-election plan
The historic riverside vaults and the area under the West Gate Bridge will be among the neglected parts of the city to become home to new parks if Nick Reece is re-elected.
- by Sophie Aubrey
Women are 34 times more likely to queue for the loo, while men are flush with options
Women and girls constitute more than half the population, require the toilet more frequently and take longer in it. Yet buildings usually have more facilities for men. What can be done?
- by Madeleine Heffernan
Free tram rides to the MCG, Victoria Market come at a price
Calls to expand Melbourne’s free tram zone to landmarks and inner suburbs have been shot down by transport advocates who say paying commuters are being crowded out.
- by Patrick Hatch
An entire Victorian council just got elected without a single vote cast
Nearly 50 candidates will waltz into council chambers across the state, elected unopposed. Even some of the lucky winners fear the impact on democracy.
- by Rachael Dexter and Tom Cowie
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/melbourne-councils-5za