Rachael Ward

Despite the opposition of councils and residents, five major housing projects have been given the green light by the planning minister, ahead of a crucial pre-election deadline.

The push to permanently shut a Camberwell Junction rat run is dividing locals. Parents are worried it’s only a matter of time until a serious accident but traders and local groups are pushing for an alternative.

In an address to his “fellow Toorakians”, a banned councillor denied wrongdoing and said his comments were not directed at his colleagues.

When dementia patient Helen thought she was abandoned, a small act of kindness changed her life. Now her family fears she’ll lose access to the very service that helped her.

Marija Kustura has lived in her dream home for more than two decades. But a council is now considering acquiring her property and demolishing it to create a new pocket park.

More than 350 car spots off Chapel Street are slated to disappear, but Prahran market customers are set to benefit from more free parking.

This neighbourhood in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs isn’t within a state-designated activity centre area, where high-density development is encouraged to address the housing crisis. But apartments are due to spring up there anyway.

The proposed building is four storeys above government-mandated height limits for the activity centre around Hawthorn, but the developer is hoping it will be approved anyway.

The former MP and now national workplace tribunal commissioner is listed to appear in court in Wangaratta in October.

A prime piece of inner-city real estate will be fought over in court as Boroondara council resists an 18-storey, $520 million development.

As the Suburban Rail Loop is poised to bring a population boom to Melbourne’s outer suburbs, green space is becoming a hot commodity dividing locals and planners.

Billions of dollars are being tipped into regenerating the inner-Melbourne shopping strip, including a 32-storey tower at the former Jam Factory site.

The peak body for justices of the peace in Victoria is pleading for a recruitment boost over concerns ageing volunteers are “dying off”, and it will be increasingly difficult for people to find independent legal witnesses.

Keki never expected to be on the front line of the national housing crisis, but a devastating fire changed everything. Others are living out of cars or applying for student accommodation in their seventies.

A few flares were the only incidents among an otherwise jubilant crowd that gathered at Federation Square for Australia’s crunch World Cup clash with Paraguay.

With businesses exiting, trading hours up for debate, politicians arguing and frustration over food prices, Prahran Market traders are increasingly being asked the same question.

Publican Liam Ganley wants to overhaul the “tired” Windsor Castle Hotel, but claims a tree dispute has put the brakes on the project for months.

Melbourne Cricket Club members who reserve seats with scarves, drink alcohol in dry bays or buy guest tickets for major events without attending themselves are on notice.

Toorak traders are pleading for help after a council move to fence off a car park for three years – for construction of a luxury development – meant foot traffic plummeted.

Police in the city of Amritsar have accused Sunil Sharma’s brother of murdering the Melbourne teacher over a property dispute.