Latest articles by Sean Car
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.
Read MoreThree 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.
Read MoreMelbourne’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.
Read MoreTuscan-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.
Read MoreNew 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.
Read MoreCBD 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.
Read MoreOperation 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.
Read MoreSally’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.
Read MoreCBD 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.
Read MoreATET 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.
Read MoreCBD 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.
Read MoreWaitress 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.
Read MoreImmigration Museum begins imagining its next chapter after strong community turnout
The Immigration Museum has taken an early step towards reimagining its future, with more than 650 people attending a recent community open day as Museums Victoria begins work on a new long-term vision for the Flinders St institution.
Read MoreCouncil moves to make graffiti vandals pay
The City of Melbourne is stepping up its crackdown on graffiti, with councillors set to back compensation orders against taggers being prosecuted by Victoria Police in what the council says is the next step in its “You Spray, You Pay” policy.
Read MorePrudent on paper: what Melbourne’s draft budget really says
The City of Melbourne’s 2026-27 draft budget, released for public consultation on March 31, is a more disciplined and defensible document than some may have expected in the current climate.
Read MorePolice mark 40 years since Russell St bombing
Victoria Police has marked the 40th anniversary of the Russell St bombing, with a special commemorative service held on March 27 to honour Constable Angela Taylor and all those affected by one of Melbourne’s darkest acts of violence.
Read MoreCouncil plans $2 million push to light up city laneways
The City of Melbourne is planning a major new investment to brighten some of the CBD’s best-known streets and laneways, with a record $2 million allocation for decorative lighting proposed in its draft 2026-27 budget.
Read MoreNew VCAT headquarters opens at 308 La Trobe St
Victoria’s civil and administrative tribunal has officially opened its new CBD headquarters at 308 La Trobe St, with the state government saying the move will help reduce wait times and make justice services easier to access.
Read MorePolice boost CBD presence as Operation Harmony expands
Victoria Police has significantly expanded its visible presence in Melbourne’s CBD, with the latest version of Operation Harmony now delivering almost double the daily number of officers patrolling the city.
Read MoreGovernment approves major Queen St tower as questions linger over market precinct density
A major new residential and student accommodation tower has been approved for Melbourne’s CBD, with the Victorian Government signing off on a 65-storey development at 400 Queen St that will deliver more than 1500 new homes metres from Queen Victoria Market.
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