‘Something has to change’: Feeling the squeeze of the Big Build’s big bill
Since coming to power in 2014, Labor has launched an unprecedented transport infrastructure blitz, but it has also saddled Victoria with the highest debt of any state and it’s putting pressure on the government.
- by Patrick Hatch and Broede Carmody
Latest
High-rise affordable housing project fast-tracked for Frankston
Victoria’s planning minister has fast-tracked approval for affordable housing in Frankston. The project is likely to be controversial though, given a fight by locals against similar high-rises.
- by Patrick Hatch
Exclusive
Trade unions
Transport union suspends Victorian branch secretary over harassment allegations
The Transport Workers’ Union alleges Mem Suleyman harassed branch organisers at his union. His suspension comes amid a tumultuous period in the state’s union movement.
- by Patrick Hatch
E-scooter numbers in the city to be cut to rein in footpath ‘circus’
Dedicated on-street parking bays, restrictions on nighttime rides and fine increases are in the plan to combat complaints about e-scooters.
- by Patrick Hatch
Maribyrnong councillor failed to show for Europe flight before being found dead
Three-time Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter never arrived at the airport to meet her partner, who later found her dead at home on Tuesday, according to a friend.
- by Patrick Hatch, Sophie Aubrey, Paul Sakkal, Annika Smethurst and Cara Waters
Exclusive
Public transport
‘Ridiculous in a city this size’: The push to unclog Melbourne’s most infuriating train line
The $12.6 billion Metro Tunnel project may be on track to improve train services across the network, but the Upfield line won’t reach its full potential until a notorious bottleneck is fixed, critics say.
- by Patrick Hatch
‘Pain and fear’: 22 cows die after truck crashes into South Yarra bridge
The cows were either killed or had to be euthanised. An animal rights group says the surviving cows should be sent to a sanctuary.
- by Patrick Hatch
‘Like building two airports’: In fight against trucks, there’s a battle to control trains
A new rail freight hub in Melbourne’s outer north will be so big Canberra doesn’t need to spend $1.6 billion on a facility 20 kilometres away, the rail terminal’s owners say.
- by Patrick Hatch
No tap and a $296 whack: myki fines among the world’s harshest
Victorians face tough fines for public transport fare evasion, which social welfare groups say punishes poor and vulnerable people who have often made a genuine mistake.
- by Patrick Hatch
Updated
Public transport
Probe into signal fault that triggered Melbourne train chaos
Metro Trains is investigating the cause of a signal outage that led to delays across the rail network on Thursday morning.
- by Shelby Garlick and Patrick Hatch
Out of the loop: The questions councils desperately want answered on ‘nebulous’ SRL
A trio of councils say the rail loop project will reshape their suburbs but the government won’t release even basic details about the changes.
- by Patrick Hatch
Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/by/patrick-hatch-hvf90