Get the appWorkers at eight Victorian councils have rejected a pay offer, continuing protected industrial action that has disrupted services. The councils, including Hume and Merri-bek, are in multi-employer bargaining with unions. The rejected offer included wage increases tied to the rate cap and a $1200 transition payment. The Australian Services Union reported a 98 per cent rejection rate among its members, leading to strike action and service disruptions.
The City of Maribyrnong has adopted its 2025/26 Annual Report, which covers council performance from July 2025 to June 2026. Council completed 81 per cent of its 52 action plan items, with a further 12 per cent substantially complete. It delivered $54.50 million in capital and improvement works, including the RecWest and Shorten Reserve redevelopment and the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre waterslide and splash park. Council recorded a $12.29 million surplus, although its adjusted underlying result was a $6.57 million deficit.
Maribyrnong councillors have voted unanimously to object to a plan for 232 townhouses at the former Australian Defence Industries site on Gordon Street. The vote overruled a draft council submission that had supported the developer, Orion West. Councillors cited community opposition, contamination risks from the old landfill, the loss of wildlife habitat and a lack of affordable homes. Orion West declined to comment. Council's submission will now be amended.
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Get the appMaribyrnong council has indicated support for a 232-townhouse development on former defence land in Melbourne's west, reversing its 2019 rejection. Developer Orion West lodged the proposal with the Department of Transport and Planning. The draft council submission cites efforts to address earlier contamination and access concerns, and says the application makes a significant contribution to housing. The submission has not been endorsed and could change. Nearby residents remain opposed, citing toxic risks, and David Glenny argued the site should be kept as public open space.
Maribyrnong resident Shavina Hill has published her debut memoir, Why Did It Happen To Me?, on Wednesday 28 October. The book traces her childhood poverty and homelessness in India, her adoption by an Australian family at nine, and her founding of Street Born Foundation, which supports vulnerable children in India. Hill said she wrote it to help readers who ask similar questions about their own lives. She said her hope is that readers will recognise that their past does not have to define their future.
Six Victorian locations will begin the Thriving Kids program in January 2027. Four are in Melbourne's north and west: Hume, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Melton. The other two are Bendigo and Loddon. The program offers time-limited allied health support for children under nine with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs. NDIS access for these children stays unchanged until 1 January 2028. Advocates say the eligibility threshold is unclear, and the assessment process is still being designed.
Ninety schools across Melbourne's west have planted 3911 native trees through Greater Western Water's Trees for Schools program. The initiative aims to increase tree cover, reduce stormwater run-off to local waterways and teach students about environmental benefits. Schools received native trees, stakes, guards and expert planting advice. Since launching in 2021, the program has grown from 22 schools to 90. It is delivered with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action through the More Trees for a Cooler Greener West initiative.
Maribyrnong mayor Mohamed Semra has again called for a joined-up approach to crime in inner-city Footscray. Police were called to an assault at a Barkly Street business on 15 October, where a female staff member was allegedly attacked by a woman after a man verbally abused her. The victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the alleged offenders are believed to be at large. A day earlier, a 37-year-old man was arrested on Byron Street after allegedly threatening passers-by with a knife.
A filmmaking family from Braybrook has had three films selected as finalists for the 2026 SmartFone Flick Fest, known as SF3. Tez Frost, along with his children Alexis and Charlie, will see their works screened at the Sydney Opera House on 1 November. Alexis and Charlie are finalists in the SF3 Kids section, while Tez's short film No. 08. has been chosen for the Gala Final category. Tez, a former Disney screenwriter and Guinness World Record breaking filmmaker, previously won the Best AI Film award at the festival. He said making films together has become a family activity.
Robert Freeman, 71, is riding 600 kilometres this month in the Ride for the Kids challenge to raise funds for Brainwave Australia. The money supports families affected by childhood brain conditions. Freeman had a stroke after a hip surgery in July, caused by a blood clot in his brain, and is still recovering his speech and coordination. He had earlier survived prostate cancer. His wife Louise said he is enjoying cycling, and he has raised more than $350 so far.
The Coalition will introduce a Senate bill that would give parliament power to block the sale of Defence sites. Opposition defence spokesman James Paterson says the government is selling off significant assets because it refuses to fund Defence adequately. The government plans to wholly or partly divest up to 67 sites, including Victoria Barracks, Point Cook and HMAS Penguin. Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil says some sites are unused, and that HMAS Penguin's operational centre will be retained. A petition against the sale of Fairbairn Golf Course has been launched by its members.
The owner of a Footscray laundromat says she will go out of business if Maribyrnong council removes parking spaces on Barkly Street. Hong Tran, who has run Footscray Superwash for more than 20 years, says most of her customers arrive by car. Draft plans endorsed by council in July would remove 34 on-street parking spaces to make way for bus stops and separated bike lanes. Ms Tran has submitted a petition with 183 signatures asking council to reconsider. Mayor Mohamed Semra says council has met with her and her concerns are being considered before final plans are decided.
The Spring into Summer Series returns to Maribyrnong with more than 50 free programs running from Friday 6 November to Sunday 6 December 2026. Activities range from yoga and underwater hockey to Trugo and disc golf. Park orienteering challenges walkers and joggers to race through local streets, parks and alleyways. Beginners can also join a choir run by Llyod O'Hanlon at the Body Voice Centre. Registrations are open, but spaces are limited.
Four years after the Maribyrnong River flooded hundreds of homes, the City of Maribyrnong is continuing to push for stronger flood prevention, preparedness and recovery. Council will hold a community workshop in November to shape its next round of advocacy with residents who experienced the 2022 flood. The Maribyrnong Neighbourhood Flood Network has also developed a community-owned flood plan, which was presented to emergency management organisations this month. Mayor Mohamed Semra said recovery had not ended when the floodwaters receded and that residents' voices needed to be heard.
Clubs using Hansen Reserve in West Footscray have voiced anger after Maribyrnong council again deferred funding for a new pavilion. The decision was announced in an update to the reserve's master plan on 1 October. Temporary structures will now be installed in March next year, not November. Yarraville Club Cricket Club president Darren Cain said the lack of private toilets and women's changerooms makes it hard to attract female cricketers. Mayor Mohamed Semra said the pavilion remains a priority but budget constraints mean it must wait.
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Get the appPolice arrested two people after a chase involving a stolen Hyundai across Melbourne's north and east suburbs on Thursday, October 8. Unmarked police vehicles first spotted the allegedly stolen car in Maribyrnong at 2.45am. Officers followed it through Essendon and Coburg, where it was allegedly seen driving erratically and on the wrong side of the road. Stop sticks damaged a front tyre in Preston. The car was later dumped in Mitcham, where the driver and his passenger fled on foot to Antonio Park and were arrested without incident.