How a century-old ‘zombie subdivision’ became Melbourne’s ‘worst case of urban blight’

A prime site in Melbourne’s west boasts river frontage, city views and proximity to transport links. Yet Solomon Heights has remained undeveloped for a century.

• Adam Carey

A city grappling with antisemitism and the blaming of weekly pro-Palestine protests

A march of protest, fringe groups and a fearful community horrified by recent attacks have made the streets of Melbourne a hotly contested space.

• Sophie Aubrey and Kieran Rooney

This train engineer discovered a dreamland under his new house, created by the previous owner

No one told Daniel Xu about what the previous owner had made in the space underneath his home. He couldn’t believe what he found.

• Lachlan Abbott

• Exclusive

Melbourne roads to cop tripling of trucks as rail freight plans flounder

Australia’s busiest container port is pumping shipping containers onto Melbourne’s roads. And it’s about to get worse.

• Adam Carey and Sophie Aubrey

• Exclusive

The ‘simple solution’ to the public housing towers knock-down that could save taxpayers millions

Researchers have suggested an alternative to the government’s public-housing demolition that could save Victoria more than $300 million.

• Rachael Dexter

• Investigation

‘A house of cards’: The financial chaos behind the Derrimut Gym empire

The empire’s founder has been paying himself a $5000-a-week allowance, giving luxury cars to staff and handing $30,000 a week to his ex-wife while failing to pay taxes, super and landlords and businesses.

• Sophie Aubrey and Sarah Danckert

• Exclusive

Pop superstar Robbie Williams sparks council review over keys to the city honour

The British singer received the key to Melbourne before a crowd at Federation Square. But a donation to Lord Mayor Nick Reece’s election campaign and the late notice to councillors have raised questions.

• Cara Waters

• Exclusive

Rattle and hum: Why Suburban Rail Loop works are making some residents nauseous

Since mid-February, locals have observed an odd feeling of pressure in their ears, along with spells of dizziness, which was being caused by something many initially couldn’t identify. 

• Tom Cowie

‘It’s going to be a museum’: Fears for the Queen Vic Market’s future

A strike this week by fruit and vegetable traders exposed tensions between traders, management and developers.

• Cara Waters

‘Classic Daniel’: How the ex-premier’s housing gambit created Labor schism

Daniel Andrews’ final promise was pitched as visionary urban renewal, but it has left many Labor figures livid, deepening tensions over the state’s housing future.

• Royce Millar and Rachael Dexter

• Updated

‘Bloody lucky’: Owner of house destroyed by landslide tells of family’s near miss

Seven homes have been evacuated in the area near Penny Lane in McCrae amid warnings other properties could be in danger.

• Adam Carey, Sarah Danckert, Lachlan Abbott and Angus Delaney

Almost 13 years after Robert’s death, jet-skis are still a danger at Melbourne’s beaches

As the weather heats up, videos circulate on social media of close encounters between swimmers and jet-skiers. Melbourne councils and community groups worry it will take another tragedy for the laws to change.

• Rachael Dexter

The man who ran around the world – without leaving Melbourne

For his 50th birthday, Melbourne’s Peter Mitchell managed to jog around the world while never even leaving the city.

• Carolyn Webb

How Brighton became the unexpected ground zero for Melbourne’s housing debate

Brighton’s tranquillity is derided by outsiders and beloved by locals. But it all fades when one topic of conversation comes up.

• Tom Cowie