Latest news with #MelbourneCityCouncil
The Age
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Third Melbourne council to hire private security guards as ‘safety issues at their worst level'
An inner-west Melbourne council has become the third municipality to take crime prevention into its own hands by hiring private security to patrol antisocial hotspots, prompting calls for more police resources and funds for support services. After an hour-long debate, Maribyrnong council voted on Tuesday night to support hiring guards to patrol central Footscray after a spate of violent incidents, including an alleged murder in the Nicholson Street mall and the fatal police shooting of a homeless man. The six-month trial is expected to begin in August and would cost ratepayers up to $100,000 for two security officers for 24 hours a week. The decision follows a similar move at Melbourne City Council, which last month made its CBD security guard scheme permanent after a three-month pilot. The scheme costs $2 million for 11 guards per year. Wyndham City Council, in the outer west, also voted last month to pay $372,000 for private security to patrol the streets of Truganina in a 12-month trial. Security guards' powers are limited to citizen's arrests as they are unable to use force, but councils argue that they create a passive safety presence while accompanying the council's local law officers, who enforce on-street behavioural issues such as public nuisance and alcohol consumption. Security guard patrols are also increasingly being paid for by private operators, such as at housing estates in Melbourne's outer suburbs to combat theft and violence and Jewish schools and communities fearing antisemitic attacks. Opposition Leader Brad Battin blamed the government for fuelling a trend of local councils turning to private security to help their communities feel safe, which is costing ratepayers. 'When local councils are forced to step in and fund private security to fill the gaps, it's a clear sign that the Labor government has failed to deliver on one of its most basic responsibilities: keeping Victorians safe,' Battin said.
Sydney Morning Herald
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Third Melbourne council to hire private security guards as ‘safety issues at their worst level'
An inner-west Melbourne council has become the third municipality to take crime prevention into its own hands by hiring private security to patrol antisocial hotspots, prompting calls for more police resources and funds for support services. After an hour-long debate, Maribyrnong council voted on Tuesday night to support hiring guards to patrol central Footscray after a spate of violent incidents, including an alleged murder in the Nicholson Street mall and the fatal police shooting of a homeless man. The six-month trial is expected to begin in August and would cost ratepayers up to $100,000 for two security officers for 24 hours a week. The decision follows a similar move at Melbourne City Council, which last month made its CBD security guard scheme permanent after a three-month pilot. The scheme costs $2 million for 11 guards per year. Wyndham City Council, in the outer west, also voted last month to pay $372,000 for private security to patrol the streets of Truganina in a 12-month trial. Security guards' powers are limited to citizen's arrests as they are unable to use force, but councils argue that they create a passive safety presence while accompanying the council's local law officers, who enforce on-street behavioural issues such as public nuisance and alcohol consumption. Security guard patrols are also increasingly being paid for by private operators, such as at housing estates in Melbourne's outer suburbs to combat theft and violence and Jewish schools and communities fearing antisemitic attacks. Opposition Leader Brad Battin blamed the government for fuelling a trend of local councils turning to private security to help their communities feel safe, which is costing ratepayers. 'When local councils are forced to step in and fund private security to fill the gaps, it's a clear sign that the Labor government has failed to deliver on one of its most basic responsibilities: keeping Victorians safe,' Battin said.
Sky News AU
16-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘Hugely important': Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece defends $82,000 visit to sister cities in China and Japan
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece has defended an upcoming trip to China and Japan that will cost ratepayers a massive $82,000. Mr Reece is set to travel to six cities in China and Japan from 16 to 29 September as part of a North Asia Business Mission delegation that will also include Councillors Kevin Louey, Philip Le Liu and Gladys Liu. Melbourne City Council voted to approve the junket on Tuesday evening at a cost of $20,470 for each of the four representatives. The trip will see the Lord Mayor lead a delegation of 'influential city leaders' on a trip to Melbourne's 'priority partner cities' of Chengdu, Nanjing and Tianjin, in China, and Osaka in Japan, with stopovers in major financial hubs of Hong Kong and Tokyo. The total cost of the trip for ratepayers is expected to significantly exceed the $81,880 once the travel cost of City of Melbourne staff, who are expected to accompany the delegation, is also factored in. Mr Reece defended the trip in an interview with 3AW on Tuesday morning. 'It's an important way of us promoting business connections between Melbourne and China and Japan, as well as community connections… city to city diplomacy, and just business to business, people to people, connections which help drive Melbourne and make us more prosperous,' the Lord Mayor said. 'In the world that we live in, those city to city, community to community, person to person, relationships are more important than ever.' Melbourne currently has official sister city relationships with Tianjin in China and Osaka in Japan, and Mr Reece said this relationship was taken 'very seriously'. 'I have travelled to Tianjin before, representing the city of Melbourne, and I can tell you, in that city, they take the sister city relationship very seriously. It's a matter of great importance to them and pride,' he said. 'In fact, if you walk along the river in the city of Tianjin, population about 18 million, the riverfront looks very much like Melbourne's because they sent a group of urban planners to Melbourne because we're a very well designed city, and copied the layout of the Yarra River along that river, so it looks very much like Southbank there with the blue stone the design of the street furniture. It's quite remarkable. Mr Reece said Melbourne was celebrating the 45th anniversary of it's sister city relationship with Tianjin and the World Expo was being held in Osaka, another sister city. 'So yes, I'm leading a delegation to attend those two events and really promote those connections between the cities,' he said. 'I mean, China is a major investor in Australia. It's a source of many jobs and trade for our city. 'International education is our biggest export earner. Tourism is the next China is bigger in those two segments than the next five biggest export earners combined. It's a hugely important market.' The plan for the trip approved by the Melbourne City Council states the Mission is 'designed to reinforce Melbourne's international relationships, promote capabilities in the green economy and health sectors, generate tangible trade and investment outcomes, and amplify Melbourne's profile as a global city for business, innovation, and talent'. 'The Mission is inviting export-ready businesses in targeted sectors, who will benefit from curated networking events, market intelligence, site visits, and introductions to investors, officials, and industry leaders— strengthened by the City of Melbourne's credibility and international city networks.' '(The delegation) will include influential city leaders from academia, industry, and innovation ecosystems to further drive trade, investment, and global positioning outcomes.' The approval of the delegation came just one day after the Herald Sun revealed Mr Reece had billed ratepayers $114,320 for travel costs since stepping into the Deputy Lord Mayor role in late 2020. This included more than $80,000 for 'local travel', which includes the use of a chauffeur-driven car for trips across Melbourne According to the City of Melbourne spokesperson, the expenses 'reflect the significant demands on the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor to attend a range of engagements, where they represent and advocate for the city'. But ratepayer advocacy group Council Watch has blasted the spending as 'excessive' and out of step with public expectations. 'We acknowledge that Mr Reece is an ambassador for the City of Melbourne and this may increase expense more than an ordinary council mayor, however, given the tight economic times, we would urge City of Melbourne to reduce and limit all interstate and overseas travel, and where possible reduce any private car usage,' Council Watch President Dean Hurlston told the Herald Sun.
Sky News AU
14-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Lord Mayor Nick Reece accused of excessive travel spending as ratepayer costs soar beyond $114,000
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece is under pressure to explain why ratepayers have been left with a six-figure bill to fund his travel since stepping into the Deputy Lord Mayor role in late 2020, with the expenses now totalling a staggering $114,320.55. An investigation by The Herald Sun into publicly released financial records shows the Lord Mayor's travel costs, including local, interstate, and international trips, which have steadily accumulated over his time in office. Of the overall figure, more than $80,000 has reportedly been classified as 'local travel'. That category includes repeated use of a chauffeur-driven car for trips across Melbourne, a practice critics argue is out of touch in the current economic climate. When pressed to justify the expense or confirm how much was spent specifically on chauffeured services, Mr Reece declined to respond directly. 'The expenses reflect the significant demands on the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor to attend a range of engagements, where they represent and advocate for the city,' a City of Melbourne spokesperson said, defending the spending. International travel was also added to the bill. In 2023, Mr Reece took part in a business delegation to China, visiting Hong Kong, Tianjin, and Beijing. That trip cost ratepayers $16,263.38. The travel tab may not stop there. On Tuesday, Melbourne City Council is expected to vote on another international mission, to cities in China and Japan, that could see another $20,470 added to the ledger. The itinerary includes stops in Chengdu, Nanjing, Tianjin, Osaka, as well as transit through Hong Kong and Tokyo. Ratepayer advocacy group Council Watch has blasted the spending as out of step with public expectations. 'We acknowledge that Mr Reece is an ambassador for the City of Melbourne and this may increase expense more than an ordinary council mayor, however, given the tight economic times, we would urge City of Melbourne to reduce and limit all interstate and overseas travel, and where possible reduce any private car usage,' Council Watch President Dean Hurlston told the Herald Sun. 'The level of spending (on travel) seems excessive. Mr Reece needs to show prudent financial leadership as Lord Mayor.' This is not the first time the Melbourne mayoralty has come under fire for transport spending. In December, former Lord mayor Sally Capp's own hefty use of taxpayer-funded chauffeur services was exposed, with more than $31,000 spent in just one year. Those rides included trips to the 2023 AFL Grand Final, the Melbourne Cup and the Matildas' FIFA World Cup semi-final. In one case, Ms Capp charged ratepayers $93 for a limo ride covering just 650 metres, from Town Hall to the Yarra boatsheds, to announce the Moomba Festival Monarchs. Ms Capp's travel habits stood in stark contrast to a 2018 campaign pledge she made to ditch the Lord Mayor's official vehicle. 'That's why I'll be walking, cycling, using public transport and driving my own car to and from work and official events,' she said at the time. 'I'll still on occasion use a car service, on an as-needs basis, when that is the most appropriate and efficient transport option.'
News.com.au
11-07-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Heartwarming update after viral clip of corgi outraged the nation
A heartwarming update has emerged after a distressing clip of a dog trapped on a Melbourne apartment balcony went viral this week. The footage – filmed by a neighbour over three months – showed a small corgi anxiously pacing on an exposed 1.5 metre balcony, day and night. One end of the balcony housed a very simple wooden kennel with no bedding or protection from the winter elements. 'I've seen him spin on that tiny balcony floor endlessly — a heartbreaking sign of anxiety and psychological distress,' neighbour Helia Abdhollah said. 'I've seen his tail wag when the owner comes out, desperately trying to connect. But the owner doesn't even acknowledge him. Doesn't pet him. Doesn't let him inside. The corgi literally hesitates to step over the threshold, like he's been conditioned to know he's not allowed inside his own home. 'This is emotional abuse, and it's completely preventable. Melbourne is freezing right now — I can barely handle the cold inside my apartment. I can't even imagine how this small dog is surviving out there night after night,' she added. The clip, which was viewed over 170,000 times, outraged Australians with many branding it 'inhumane.' can now reveal that the 16-month-old corgi – who goes by the name 'Trump' – has been surrendered by his owner to council, after they mutually agreed it was the right decision. In a statement, Acting Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell told that Melbourne City council had picked the dog up earlier this morning. 'Thanks to the kindness of a good Samaritan, a little corgi has a new lease on life – with a future filled with head pats, long walks, and plenty of treats. 'We take responsible pet ownership seriously – and while our team works tirelessly to protect the welfare of animals, we also rely on our community to speak up when something isn't right. 'Every pet deserves a safe and loving environment, and we'll now work to find this pup a forever family,' she said. 'Trump' is currently residing with the The Lost Dogs' Home in North Melbourne where he is receiving medical checks and long-awaited cuddles. Once the little guy is ready for adoption, you'll be able to find his profile shared on their website and social media channels. Mel McCarthy, Service Delivery and Local Government Manager at The Lost Dogs' Home told that he is being 'very well looked after.' 'This little corgi is being well looked after and will no doubt find a new home very soon. 'With the right time commitment and training it is completely possible for people own a dog happily in the city. Please reach out if you are struggling, our behaviour team can offer advice on how to successfully manage a dog in an apartment.' The apartment complex where the dog was found is a skyscraper in Melbourne's CBD where apartments range from $700-900 per week. With over 633 apartments over 65 levels, the complex features '5-star facilities' - including an outdoor pool, spa and sauna area as well as a substantial gym, each with city views.
