In Melbourne’s famous laneways,there is life – and death
Drug reform

In Melbourne’s famous laneways,there is life – and death

In one laneway,people sip wine at a table under a heater. In another,someone is crouched behind a bin on the hard ground ready to inject. Their drug of choice is illegal,and without a safe injecting room,they have nowhere else to go.

  • bySophie Aubrey andCara Waters

Latest

Uber is winning the rideshare war,but our addiction to the app may backfire
Taxis

Uber is winning the rideshare war,but our addiction to the app may backfire

Despite years of controversy and frustration,Australians can’t seem to get enough of Uber. Transport industry insiders and competition experts warn consumers will be left paying the price.

  • bySophie Aubrey
‘Very premature’:Plea to block more homes at flooded retiree village
Floods

‘Very premature’:Plea to block more homes at flooded retiree village

Residents at a retirement village in the centre of a political storm are calling for the government to step in to block the new development plans.

  • byClay Lucas andSophie Aubrey
Emails reveal Melbourne Water ignored conflict advice before flood inquiry scandal
Exclusive
Floods

Emails reveal Melbourne Water ignored conflict advice before flood inquiry scandal

The emails also show the state government has been involved with Melbourne Water’s response from behind the scenes,despite repeated insistence that the water authority’s inquiry is independent.

  • bySophie Aubrey andClay Lucas
Washing and dressing our dead:The movement challenging how we grieve
Death

Washing and dressing our dead:The movement challenging how we grieve

There is a pivotal point in our grieving process that should occur three days after a death,but advocates say this is interrupted by modern practices.

  • bySophie Aubrey
Greyhounds set to be unleashed in the inner north
City life

Greyhounds set to be unleashed in the inner north

Plans are afoot for an off-leash greyhound park in Melbourne’s inner north,where the dogs are popular pets. But some owners question why it’s necessary,saying Victoria should scrap laws that discriminate against the breed.

  • bySophie Aubrey
Advertisement
A room for 10. The renters stuck living in youth hostels
City life

A room for 10. The renters stuck living in youth hostels

Would-be renters like teacher Matthew Bain are increasingly paying to live in the city’s backpacker accommodation,for up to six months,after the demoralising search for a property.

  • bySophie Aubrey
‘Disappointing’:Monash Council cancels drag queen story time event
Exclusive
Local council

‘Disappointing’:Monash Council cancels drag queen story time event

The council says it can’t guarantee it can host the library event safely after escalating intimidation from neo-Nazis and threats of violence against families,the performer,councillors and council staff.

  • bySophie Aubrey
Sits in the city:The cheeky ‘smart bench’ changing the way we take a load off
City life

Sits in the city:The cheeky ‘smart bench’ changing the way we take a load off

It may just look like a lairy green bench,but locals are unknowingly changing the way we sit – with their bottoms.

  • bySophie Aubrey
Worried councils won’t get state help to improve security as meetings get hostile
Local council

Worried councils won’t get state help to improve security as meetings get hostile

A state MP has downplayed the risks posed by fringe groups after a protest derailed a Monash Council meeting and the drag queen at the centre of the controversy said she had received death threats.

  • bySophie Aubrey andCara Waters
‘Grossly unprepared’:Councils urged to make meetings online as abuse,protests grow
Local council

‘Grossly unprepared’:Councils urged to make meetings online as abuse,protests grow

Victoria’s peak body for local government is recommending closing public galleries to prevent abusive protests,while a councillor who was among those wrongly labelled a paedophile at a raucous meeting wants the state government to step in.

  • bySophie Aubrey