2 - 2026 - The Local Paper

Council News

MANSFIELD: Council over-charged $34,588 for fines

Friday, February 20, 2026

Mansfield Shire Council has overcharged $34,588 for parking fines, and also wrongly charged $10,000 for other items such as late fees and legal costs.The Council is exploring the rollout of a parking infringement refund scheme after identifying a historical administrative issue that has resulted in an over-collection of parking infringement penalties.“For some time, Council has…

Politics

STONNINGTON: Minister overrides plan – MP

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny is overriding a plan that exceeds her own housing targets and that will strip the village heart out of Windsor, Prahran and Hawksburn, according to Prahran MLA Rachel Westaway (pictured)..“Our community supports more housing. Young people in Prahran deserve the chance to live in the community they love, not to be…

Sport

WYNDHAM: More sport please

Only 10 per cent of Wyndham residents participate in organised sport or recreation, Werribee MLA John Lister (pictured) has told parliament.Mr Lister asked in Parliament how the Allan Labor Government can support clubs and organisations in Wyndham, specifically communities in the west of the municipality, to encourage more participation in organised sport?“My electorate is a…

Schools

MAROONDAH: ‘When will Marlborough School upgrades happen?’

Upgrades have been promised for the buildings at Marlborough Primary School n Heathmont, and Ringwood MLA Will Fowles (pictured) wants to know when they are going to happen.“The school is supported by a strong leadership team, dedicated staff and an engaged school community who are working hard every day to deliver excellent outcomes for students,”…

Community News

BAYSIDE: Public not consulted on rail car park changes – MP

The public has been not consulted about the reduction of parking around Brighton Station, according to local MLA James Newbury.“Why did the Premier thumb her nose at my community by refusing to consult on her plan to scrap train station car parking across Brighton?” Mr Newbury asked in Parliament.“The State Labor Government has announced its…

Police News

PORT PHILLIP: Erratic driving at Port Melbourne

Police have arrested a man and seized drugs and cash following a crash in Port Melbourne on Thursday night (Feb. 19).Officers responded after a Toyota Kluger wagon struck a dividing barrier on the Westgate Freeway, near the Mont-ague St exit ramp, about 11.50pm.Upon arrival, police found the driver had been helped from the damaged Toyota…

Politics

MERRI-BEK: Petition calls for increased road safety

Pascoe Vale MLA Anthony Cianflone (pictured) has presented a 514-signature to State Parliament calling urgent road safety measures required to improve the safety for all road users long the Sydney Rd Corridor, from O’Hea St in Coburg North to Boundary Rd in Fawkner.“As a major north-south arterial corridor that facilitates thousands of freight, private-vehicle, public…

Health

MARIBYRNONG: New Footscray Hospital opens

The new Footscray Hospital opened last Wednesday morning (Feb. 18).Some 180 patients were transferred from the old hospital throughout the day. The old hospital ED closed.Thousands of staff started their first shift in the new hospital.Services including the ED, surgery, ICU, coronary care and mental health began. Some 4500 staff undertook training to make the…

Emergency Services

YARRA: Blaze at brick home

Fire Recue Victoria responded to multiple Triple Zero (000) calls for a structure fire in Richmond shortly before 6pm on Thursday evening (Feb. 19).Firefighters arrived within seven minutes to find flames issuing from a 20 x 30 metre double-storey brick home that was under construction.Firefighters quickly attacked the fire using multiple hoselines, as well as…

Emergency Services

YARRA: Building fire at Abbotsford

Fire Rescue Victoria responded to a building fire on Mollison St, Abbotsford, at 2.52am Thursday (Feb, 19) following multiple calls to Triple Zero (000).FRV crews arrived on scene within five minutes to find fire through the roof of a brick building approximately 10m by 30m, so the response was escalated.Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus worked swiftly…