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Residents in Melbourne's inner west are protesting the installation of 15-metre power poles in their streets, which they claim were done without their knowledge or consent to support a nearby data centre expansion. The poles are part of an upgrade to support the growing energy needs of the area.
A magnitude-3.9 earthquake was recorded near Ensay in East Gippsland on Saturday night. Residents describe the tremors as a significant shake.
A Sydney retiree is nearing the end of an epic 18,000-kilometre journey around mainland Australia on an electric motorcycle, believed to be the first person to achieve this feat. Ed Darmanin, a 67-year-old retired electrical engineer, started his adventure in Sydney on June 24 and has been riding anti-clockwise around the country on his Energica Experia, visiting every mainland state and territory.
A couple who got married in 2016 using a legal loophole for same-sex marriage is celebrating their 10-year anniversary. Their union was a deliberate political statement, made a year before Australia voted 'Yes' to marriage equality.
A historic theatre in Collingwood has been ravaged by a suspicious fire, leaving the 105-year-old building severely damaged. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation by Victoria Police.
The Victorian government is considering emergency extractions of threatened bird species from the wild as the H5N1 strain of avian influenza spreads through the state's wild bird population. The move aims to protect species such as the brolga and black swan, which are already vulnerable due to habitat loss and predation.
A 30-year-old Melbourne man has gone missing while on a solo hiking trip in Peru's remote Huayhuash region. His family has engaged a private mountain rescue team to search for him after he failed to check into a hotel and missed a scheduled flight.
A 41-year-old man is fighting for life in hospital after being allegedly stabbed by a group of teenagers during a car theft in Melbourne's south-east. Two 16-year-old boys have been arrested and a third is being sought in connection with the incident.
The Victorian government has delayed stricter regulations on egg and poultry production until mid-2027 due to the H5N1 bird flu outbreak. The move allows producers more time to prepare for new poultry welfare regulations amid the outbreak.
Couples with partners living overseas are urging the federal government to reconsider its decision to prioritize partner visa applications from those already living in Australia, citing indefinite separation and relationship strain. The move has left many facing waits of more than three years for subclass 309 visas.
A man has died after falling at the summit of a volcanic formation in Hanging Rock Reserve, prompting the closure of the reserve over the long weekend. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon, with police preparing a report for the coroner.
The former foster carers of an eight-month-old baby girl who died just days after being returned to her biological parents say the system designed to protect her failed. The couple, whose names have been changed for legal reasons, are calling for change, saying they should have had a voice in what happened to the baby.
A childcare service in East Albury has been shut down for six months due to safety concerns. The NSW Early Learning Commission suspended the service approval for Kidscape Early Learning Centre on Thursday, citing several breaches.
A group of students from Robinvale Secondary College has made history by becoming the first regional Victorian group to perform at the Cultivating Creative Cultures with Communities (4Cs) Showcase in Melbourne. The students, who are part of the school's Tongan dance group Si'i Kae Hā, travelled eight hours to take to the stage.
Nhill Tigers under-14s have broken a 28-year premiership drought, defeating Ararat by seven points. The team was bolstered by nine Karen boys, including Ah Nee Nwe who was named best on ground.
A remote homestead by the River Murray has been transformed into a vibrant display of flora, with residents and experts describing it as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' flower experience. The region has received an abundance of rainfall, bringing the countryside to life and causing a explosion of colour across the arid landscape.
Fears are growing for the survival of Warrnambool's little penguin colony and the famous Maremma guardian dog project that has protected them for 20 years. The project's success has been diminishing in recent years due to safety concerns about erosion and deep waters surrounding Middle Island.
Police and domestic violence services are preparing for a spike in family violence incidents ahead of the AFL grand final this weekend. Victoria Police reported a 5 per cent increase in family violence incidents on AFL grand final day last year, with 315 incidents overall.
An immersive aural work called Sea Stories has been created by Melbourne theatre-maker Roslyn Oades for Newcastle's New Annual festival. The work features the voices of a diverse selection of people who share transformative experiences with the ocean.
Former Moonee Valley councillor Cameron Nation has been jailed for three months for sexually assaulting a teenage boy in 2019. Nation, who served for 11 years as a councillor, pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court to the charges.
A key witness in a cold case murder trial has admitted to lying to police about their connection to the victim, Christopher Jarvis, who disappeared from his Wangoom home near Warrnambool in 2006. The witness claimed to have assisted the accused, Steven Frederick Johnson, with the alleged killing.
A 29-year-old man from New South Wales has been charged with multiple offences, including possessing child abuse material, after a search warrant was executed at his home in North Albury. The suspect, who has a history of mental health conditions, was denied bail due to the serious nature of the charges and his potential risk to the community.
A former senior employee of the National Gallery of Victoria has been charged with misusing their position to allegedly purchase millions of dollars worth of mobile phones for personal gain. The scheme allegedly took place over several years, amassing about $8 million worth of devices.
Farmers have secured a deal with the government to fast-track backpacker visa processing, bringing relief to regional areas struggling with worker shortages. The agreement is expected to help alleviate some of the pressure, but concerns remain about the long-term solution.
A growing number of men over 35 are flocking to Masters football in country Victoria, drawn by the game's social benefits and low-key competition. The Victorian Country AFL Masters competition has seen a surge in player numbers, with 819 registered players across 16 teams.
Victoria's crime rate has fallen by 3.8 per cent in the past year, driven by decreases in home invasions, carjackings, and robberies. Youth offending decreased by 8.1 per cent, while serious and violent crimes dropped by 4 per cent.
A multi-million-dollar government program aimed at reducing youth crime in Victoria has shown no evidence of reducing offending, a damning report has found. The program has been allocated $40 million since 2016, but the number of alleged youth offender incidents has continued to climb.
The Department of Education pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a student had three fingers severed by a guillotine in a jewellery design class. The department was fined $150,000.
Residents living near a large data centre in Melbourne's west are demanding compensation and remediation for the impacts of pollution and potential fire risk. The Victorian government has unveiled new regulations to ban data centres near homes and schools, but they will not be applied retrospectively.
The death of an eight-month-old baby girl in Ballarat has been described as "absolutely tragic" by a family support service. Homicide squad detectives are investigating the baby's death, which has caused widespread hurt in the community.
A 40-year-old man has pleaded guilty to crashing his car into a home in north-west Victoria, causing $180,000 in damage, and fleeing the scene on foot. The incident occurred on Game Street, Merbein, on May 11, when the unlicensed driver, Paul Jenkins, crashed his Ford Falcon XR6 through a power pole and into a home, metres from where a 70-year-old man was sleeping.
The City of Greater Bendigo council has voted to keep Bendigo Cup Day as a public holiday, despite concerns from businesses. The decision was made following a community survey that drew 2,672 responses.
A power outage in Mildura is set to enter its third day, with concerns growing for vulnerable residents, including the elderly and domestic violence survivors. The outage has affected around 3,000 residents and businesses, with Powercor announcing a revised restoration timeframe of midday Friday.
A teenager has been sentenced to two years and nine months in jail for his role in a violent home invasion in Kew that left a family traumatised and a father with permanent damage to his eyesight. The incident has had a lasting impact on the family, with the father left with permanent damage to his eyesight and his family remaining traumatised.
A 42-year-old man has died after a quad bike crash on Huon Creek Road, south of Wodonga, on Monday evening. A 20-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving causing death in connection with the incident.
The death of a child is a profound loss that can have a lasting impact on a family's life. For one mother, sharing her experience with others who have also lost a child has been a crucial part of the healing process.
A new wave of birdwatchers, nature lovers, poets, artists, and dreamers are finding solace and connection in the Australian bush along the east coast of Victoria. The Far East Flaneur, a six-day, five-night art and nature trail, has been attracting participants from various backgrounds to explore the 100-kilometre journey from Lake Tyers to Cape Conran in East Gippsland.
A bunya pine tree in Maldon has been named a finalist in the 2026 Victorian Tree of the Year competition. The tree's owner, Kathy Whiteman, says it is a "magnificent" landmark, but also a complicated one due to its massive cones that drop every three years.
Two men have been sentenced to 12-and-a-half years in jail for cultivating a massive cannabis crop in northern Victoria. The pair were found to be growing 8,805 plants at a property in Toolamba, on the outskirts of Shepparton.
A young man in his 20s has died after being towed by a quad bike and hitting a goal post at a recreation reserve in regional New South Wales. The quad bike driver, also in his 20s, has been charged with multiple offences and is due to appear in court.