Council Watch has gone line-by-line through the Draft Budget… not the glossy summary, but the actual numbers. And what we found should make every ratepayer stop and think. They are spending MORE on computers and IT than they are on roads. Yes. Seriously. FIRST – THE OPERATING MONEY PIT Before a single road is fixed or project delivered, this is where your money disappears: • Materials and services: $252.720M • Employee costs: $234.131M • Depreciation: $78.534M That’s HALF A B

Melbourne’s push to flood established suburbs with high-rise apartments is running headlong into a problem no planning map can wish away: the numbers are not stacking up. Across 60 designated activity hubs, zoning changes now permit towers up to 20 storeys and beyond near major transport investments. On paper, the housing yield is immense. Capacity runs into the hundreds of thousands of dwellings. In reality, only a fraction of those homes are commercially viable under curren

While the engines roar at Albert Park and the government celebrates a multi-million-dollar spectacle, Middle Park residents say they are the ones left paying the real price - and they’re pointing the finger squarely at City of Port Phillip. For four days each year, nearly half a million racegoers descend on the area. Locals say what follows is predictable: footpaths buried under dumped e-scooters and e-bikes, driveways blocked, cars crammed into every available strip of aspha

To the extent that I, (Dean Hurlston) have made statements about Cr Jami Klisaris that may have negatively impacted her reputation and standing within the community, I regret doing so. I wish to apologise for any such statements and withdraw them entirely. I wish to apologise for any distress caused to Cr Klisaris for the way these statements were made.

Explosive allegations this week that women councillors no longer feel safe  under the alleged behaviour of Municipal Monitor John Tanner  — the very man appointed by Minister Nick Staikos  himself to Hobsons Bay & Kingston Councils. 👩‍⚖️💥 Council Watch has seen shocking claims that women councillors have been allegedly: Spoken to in a condescending, aggressive, or bullying tone  😡 Yelled at , with tables thumped  💢 Targeted  and pressured  to obey his "directions" Denied

Plaques, photo ops, and self-promotion over community service! When did serving the people turn into serving themselves? By Dean Hurlston...

Cover of the latest Yarra Council Mayoral Report It is hard to deny that feeling of joy you get when you are hit by a refreshing breeze...

In recent months, a growing chorus of Victorian councils has intensified its campaign to scrap the State Government’s rate cap policy....