Latest articles by Sean Car
Hypetap moves into historic Swann House on Flinders Lane
One of Australia’s fastest-growing creative agencies is set to make its new home in one of Melbourne’s most historically significant CBD buildings, with Hypetap signing on as the inaugural tenant at the newly refurbished Swann House on Flinders Lane.
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Mini waste compactors prove a big win for Melbourne’s laneways
A world-first waste collection system trialled in some of Melbourne’s smallest laneways is already delivering major improvements to cleanliness, recycling and amenity in the CBD, with the City of Melbourne confirming strong results from its new network of mini garbage compactors.
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CBD bubble tea chain Top Tea fined for banned plastic straws at Swanston St store
Bubble tea retailer Top Tea has become the first business in Victoria to be fined for breaching the state’s single-use plastics ban, after EPA Victoria found prohibited plastic straws and stirrers being offered to customers at its Swanston St store.
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Melbourne to “sparkle” as 500,000 revellers expected in the city for New Year’s Eve
Melbourne is preparing to welcome more than half a million people into the CBD for New Year’s Eve, with the City of Melbourne unveiling its biggest program yet featuring rooftop fireworks, laser shows, live entertainment and four major Celebration Zones across the city.
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Greenline milestone: first stage opens at Birrarung Marr as the city’s signature river project edges forward
The City of Melbourne has reached a landmark moment in its decade-long effort to transform the Yarra River’s north bank, officially completing Stage One of the Greenline Project at Birrarung Marr – the signature initiative of former Lord Mayor Sally Capp.
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Five councillors forced to exit Comedy Theatre tower debate over donation conflicts
Five City of Melbourne councillors were forced to leave the chamber ahead of deliberations on a major redevelopment above the Comedy Theatre after declaring campaign donation conflicts.
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Lord Mayor calls for urgent overhaul of developer bonuses as $495m Queen St tower wins council backing
A $495 million mixed-use tower overlooking Queen Victoria Market has won unanimous backing at Town Hall, but only after Lord Mayor Nick Reece used the decision to call for an urgent overhaul of Melbourne’s developer “bonus” system for office space.
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City Square roars back to life with surprise ALWAYS LIVE concerts
After eight years behind construction hoardings, Melbourne’s City Square made its long-awaited return – and it did so in true Melbourne style, with a surprise rock-and-roll performance that drew hundreds into the freshly upgraded precinct.
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Seven-storey revival breathes new life into CBD’s western gateway
One of the CBD’s most prominent corners has been given a major boost, with the historic Waterside Hotel reopening after a multi-year transformation into a seven-level dining and drinking destination at Flinders and King streets.
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Council slams congestion levy hike as “wrong tax at the wrong time”
A divided City of Melbourne council has condemned the state government’s sharp increase to the congestion levy, warning it will deter city visitors and stall the CBD’s fragile recovery, even as the legislation cleared Parliament on November 18.
Read MoreControversial Exhibition St tower returns with major changes, as residents demand answers
Contentious plans for a tower rising above Melbourne’s heritage-listed Comedy Theatre are back before the City of Melbourne, with councillors set to consider the revised proposal at their December 2 Future Melbourne Committee meeting.
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“A new era of Treaty”: Sheena Watt reflects on 2025 and looks ahead to a pivotal 2026
For Victorian Northern Metropolitan MP Sheena Watt, 2025 will forever be defined by a single word: Treaty.
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“Man on a mission”: Nick Reece reflects on his first year as Lord Mayor
If Sally Capp’s lord mayoralty was defined by megaphone energy and crisis management, her successor Nick Reece is settling into a different groove: quietly trying to reshape the city around a big agenda that’s only just getting started.
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Hoppy Dumpling becomes a CBD favourite as founders blend tradition, beer culture and community
A little over a year since opening on Russell St, Hoppy Dumpling has quietly grown into one of the CBD’s most-loved newcomers – a bustling spot where handmade dumplings, craft beer and a warm, neighbourhood feel have struck a chord with city workers, residents and families.
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Inner Owners’ Corporation sets a new industry benchmark with major SCA award win
Inner Owners’ Corporation has long been known among its clients as a quiet achiever: diligent, ethical, transparent and consistently delivering results without shouting about it.
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Hills Hoist: A meditation on memory, migration and the quiet poetry of daily life
At City Library Gallery on Flinders Lane, a humble suburban icon has been transformed into a profound meditation on home, belonging and the emotional complexity of migration.
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Melbourne prepares to step into a new era as Metro Tunnel opens early
After years of construction, detours and disruption, Melbourne’s long-awaited Metro Tunnel will finally open its doors on Sunday, November 30 – a full year ahead of schedule.
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Melbourne Town Hall and council offices set to go smoke-free
The entrances and footpaths outside Melbourne Town Hall and the City of Melbourne’s main administration buildings will become smoke-free after councillors voted unanimously to extend the city’s smoking and vaping bans at the November 11 Future Melbourne Committee meeting.
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Melbourne honours its brightest changemakers at 2025 Melbourne Awards
Melbourne celebrated the people and organisations shaping the city’s future at the 2025 Melbourne Awards on November 15, recognising outstanding contributions across leadership, creativity, community impact and innovation.
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Cr Le Liu moves to overturn council’s past support for CBD injecting room
The debate over a medically supervised injecting service (MSIS) in Melbourne’s CBD will return to Town Hall on November 25, with Cr Phil Le Liu bringing forward a motion to formally overturn the City of Melbourne’s previous support for such a facility.
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