A storm cell struck Leongatha around 7pm last Saturday, bringing wind, rain and heavy hail. Leongatha SES received calls about fallen trees, collapsed ceilings and flooding. Three SES teams attended nine fallen trees or branches and five building damage incidents. One rescue was carried out. SES controller Teresa Jans said some drivers showed little courtesy to police and emergency crews at the scene, which she described as a concern. Local SES also cleared trees in Inverloch.
Victoria's Labor government has promised 45 extra beds and 145 nurses for Werribee Mercy Hospital as part of a $1.5 billion election commitment. The plan would expand emergency departments at 12 Victorian hospitals by an average of 25 per cent and reduce waiting times at those hospitals by up to 20 per cent. Labor says the expansion depends on winning re-election. The government has not yet released construction timetables or explained how the waiting time reduction was calculated.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has launched Labor's campaign for a fourth straight term, pledging to cut emergency department wait times. He announced $1.5 billion to expand emergency departments at 12 hospitals, with 250 extra beds and 1500 more health workers. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, speaking at a vandalised Upwey South tennis club, focused on crime and pledged 3000 new police officers. Mr Carroll accused the coalition of seeking to Americanise the health system, a claim Ms Wilson rejected. The state election is on November 28.
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Families with young children are invited to free sessions that aim to build early language, communication and literacy skills. Run by Omnia Community Health's speech therapy team, the sessions will offer parents and carers practical tips for shared reading at home. Sessions will be held at the Sunbury Library on November 10, the Kyneton Library on November 17, the Woodend Library on November 17 and the Gisborne Library on November 18. Children are welcome to attend with a parent or carer. Registration is required for the Sunbury session only.
A $120,000 upgrade will add two new meeting rooms, study pods and a revamped service desk to the Traralgon library. The state government is providing $80,000 and Latrobe City Council $40,000. Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said libraries are about more than quiet reading, offering places to work, learn and study. Works on a $30 million Warragul library and learning centre have started, with the facility due to open by early 2028. Upgrade works at Traralgon are expected to begin toward the end of the year.
Traralgon landholder Ashley Schoer says land rezoned for residential use 14 years ago cannot be developed. He said the land is ready, with surveys completed and concept plans drawn up. Planning approval has stalled after a geotechnical report submitted by AGL raised concerns about ground movement near mining activity. The state government has committed to its own risk assessment. Opposition planning spokesman David Southwick said the Coalition would unlock the land for up to 2000 homes if elected, and would audit coal overlays across the region.
A 157-year-old Ginkgo biloba in the Geelong Botanic Gardens has been named the 2026 Victorian Tree of the Year. It received 27 per cent of the 4435 votes cast, beating eight other finalists across the state. Geelong councillor Elise Wilkinson said the tree is one of the city's most cherished landmarks and a popular backdrop for weddings. The competition, run by National Trust Victoria, also highlights the need for stronger protections for established trees. Prahran's smooth bark apple myrtle placed second, and Apollo Bay's myrtle beech placed third.
The Victorian Liberal Party has pledged $1.5 million towards two Greek Community of Melbourne cultural initiatives if it wins government at the upcoming state election. The announcements followed a feast-day service at St Dimitrios in Prahran. Shadow Minister Evan Mulholland said a Liberal government would give $1 million over four years to the Antipodes Festival. Member for Prahran Rachel Westaway pledged $500,000 towards a theatre and cultural space at the St Dimitrios Hall site, where work is already underway.
Labor MP Tim Watts has reflected on how politicians move freely among the public, following an attack on independent MP Helen Haines. Haines was allegedly struck twice by a four-wheel drive outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on 19 October and has suffered catastrophic injuries. A 43-year-old man has been charged, and police have not established a motive. Watts says threats against MPs have risen fourfold since 2020. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor have both condemned the attack.
The Victorian Government has released a 10-year blueprint for Montague, one of Fishermans Bend's fastest-growing neighbourhoods. The plan covers streets, open space, transport, heritage, housing and flood mitigation. It splits Montague into a higher-density northern area and a southern area that keeps its industrial character. A proposed Montague Art and Cultural Hub would support creative industries. City of Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin welcomed the plan but said delivery now needs to follow. Funding for major public transport projects remains subject to future government decisions.
