Latest articles by Sean Car
QVM food rescue program turns surplus produce into relief for struggling Melburnians
Thousands of kilograms of surplus fresh food from Queen Victoria Market will now be redirected to people in need under a new food rescue initiative aimed at tackling both waste and rising food insecurity across Melbourne.
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Council backs AI push, framing moment as Melbourne’s “fork in the road”
The City of Melbourne has backed a new push to prepare the city for the workforce disruption and economic opportunities created by generative AI, after councillors supported a motion from Cr Andrew Rowse at the Future Melbourne Committee on May 5.
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Kilkenny Inn site set for new chapter as council backs bigger residential tower
One of the CBD’s most prominent long-dormant corners appears finally set for a new beginning, after City of Melbourne councillors endorsed revised plans for the former Kilkenny Inn site at King and Lonsdale streets.
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Bennetts Lane signage fight heads to VCAT as council defers decision
A planning dispute over signage at an iconic Bennetts Lane site in the CBD has now spilled into VCAT, with the City of Melbourne deferring formal consideration of the application while discussions continue between council officers and the applicant.
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How Pretty Woman’s villain helps complete the fairytale
There are few movie villains as memorably slippery as Philip Stuckey.
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From empty towers to a true CAD: can adaptive reuse reshape the CBD?
As the state government reviews long-criticised CBD developer incentives, a powerful new data tool from Plus Studio could help reveal which underused towers are ready to shift Melbourne from a Central Business District to a true Central Activity District (CAD).
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Penny Wong visits Chinatown as MCBA builds links between government, business and community
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has paid a visit to Melbourne’s Chinatown for a community and industry breakfast dialogue, with the event highlighting the growing role the precinct and its business leaders are playing in broader conversations about multiculturalism, trade, education and civic life.
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Council approves amended Russell St function centre, despite 36 objections
The City of Melbourne has backed an amended permit for the Space Hotel on Russell St, approving changes to a long-running proposal for a rooftop function centre after finding the revised scheme would deliver better heritage and amenity outcomes.
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Cohealth can no longer outrun the questions
The immediate crisis around cohealth’s inner-city clinics may have been delayed by another $1.5 million in Commonwealth funding, but the broader crisis facing the organisation is only deepening.
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Three arrested as police claim breakthrough in CBD nightclub arson spree
Victoria Police says it has now arrested someone in relation to every alleged Operation Eclipse arson offence in Melbourne’s CBD, following the arrest of three more people over a series of nightclub fires and attempted fires earlier this month.
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Melbourne’s global health partnership puts local policy in the spotlight
The City of Melbourne’s quiet but increasingly influential role in a global public health network is helping shape some of the most practical policy responses now emerging across the municipality, from smoke-free zones to food relief and a pushback against junk food advertising.
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Tuscan-inspired wine bar The Florence opens above Flinders Lane favourite
A new late-night venue has opened on Flinders Lane, with Tuscan-inspired wine and cocktail bar The Florence taking over the level above The Meatball & Wine Bar in the latest move from Melbourne hospitality group Valarc.
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New CBD training hub opens for migrants and refugees at Flinders St
A new migrant education and training site has opened in Melbourne’s CBD, with AMES Australia launching a larger city-base designed to help more people from refugee and migrant backgrounds build skills, confidence and pathways into work.
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CBD creative agency behind new May8 Day push for mateship and social unity
A new grassroots campaign encouraging Australians to come together around mateship and social connection is gathering momentum, and it has been spearheaded by a creative agency based in Melbourne’s CBD.
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Operation Harmony nets 55 arrests as police maintain boosted CBD presence
Victoria Police says its expanded Operation Harmony has already led to 55 arrests in Melbourne’s CBD, with the month-long policing surge being credited with helping prevent further crime and improving safety in the city.
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Sally’s latest Capp: former Lord Mayor joins Hickory
Former Lord Mayor Sally Capp has taken on her latest post-council role, joining Melbourne construction and property company Hickory as its inaugural chief strategy officer.
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CBD shop vacancies fall again as Walk the CBD points to stronger city recovery
Melbourne’s CBD retail vacancy rate has fallen for a fourth consecutive year, with Fitzroys’ latest Walk the CBD report showing the city’s shopfront recovery continuing to gather pace.
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ATET legal mess lays bare major questions for the City of Melbourne
The $7 million Supreme Court fight over Docklands floating events space ATET has now reached the point where the City of Melbourne can no longer plausibly present it as just another difficult regulatory dispute.
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CBD budget doubles down on safety, support and a more walkable city
The City of Melbourne’s latest budget makes clear that, for the CBD, safety and street-level confidence remain the council’s central political and civic priority.
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Waitress to serve up Broadway charm in the CBD this May
A fresh slice of Broadway is heading to the CBD next month, with Waitress set to begin its Australian premiere season at Her Majesty’s Theatre from May 1.
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