WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
Local Briefs Late contract vote ■ A late agenda item was due to go to last night’s Bayside Council meeting, as this issue of The Local Paper. A recommendation was due to be considered by Bayside Councillors that a $991,415 contract be awarded to Pointto-Point Water Pty. Ltd. trading as Irrigation Construction Victoria, an oval irrigation and turf specialist contractor, to undertake the replacement of the irrigation system and turf renovations at the five sports playing fields at Dendy Park in Brighton.
MP PAYS TRIBUTE TO PETER KATSAMBANIS Protest against inspection videos
Justice Walk ■ ZOE Australia is hosting the Melbourne Justice Walk at Green Point, Brighton on October 10, to take a stand against one of the most pressing issues of our time: child trafficking. Organisers say the Justice Walk is a powerful movement that brings people from all walks of life together to stand in solidarity with children who have been silenced by exploitation and abuse.
‘Derelect’ building ■ Port Phillip Council is preparing to issue an order to demolish the long-derelict site at 222-224 Bay St, Port Melbourne, paving the way for the removal of a prominent local eyesore. The order to demolish will be issued when all relevant permits authorising activity on the street are finalised. The upcoming demolition marks an important milestone in the renewal of the site, said a Council representative.
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■ Richmond MLA Gabrielle di Vietri las presented a petition to State Pailiament that says that the increased use of videos in tenancy inspections is unacceptable. Some 171 people signed a petition that said that the the current allowances under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 for continuous, comprehensive video recording during routine property inspections constitute a severe and disproportionate invasion of tenant privacy. “Property managers and agents are increasingly using video sweeps not to log structural maintenance, but to audit a tenant’s standard of everyday tidiness,” Parliament was told. “This penalises model tenants for standard, “lived-in” environments, transforms family homes into active surveillance zones, and compromises the fundamental right to quiet enjoyment.”
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DEATH AT AGE 60 ■ Prahran MLA Rachael Westaway has paid tribute in State Parliament to respected community leader Peter Katsambanis. “I rise with great sadness to reflect on the passing of my dear friend, local Prahran resident and political icon Peter Katsambanis at age 60,” Ms Westaway said. ● Peter “He leaves behind Katsambanis his beautiful wife Karalee and five wonderful children and his mum Yiayia. My family and I were so grateful to have known Peter for many years on many levels: as a 20-year colleague on and off in commonwealth tribunals, through our extensive family ties with our children attending school together and through a love of the Liberal Party. “My leader Jess Wilson, along with former Labor ministers, provided respectful commentary, demonstrating a bipartisan tribute to this great Greek Australian. “Peter was a fierce political fighter, an advocate for Hellenism, a wonderful husband and father and – his only vice – a one-eyed Collingwood supporter. He was and always will be quintessentially Prahran. “Schooled at Windsor Primary, Prahran High, then Melbourne High, he had a sharp intellect and a degree in commerce and law from Melbourne Uni. He was one of only two people ever elected to two Australian state parliaments. “He became my inaugural chief of staff, setting both me and my office up before tackling his health issues. He was my friend, my confidant, who encouraged me to run for Prahran. “He and his family helped me win the seat at the 2025 by-election.”
Pith and Point Smart glasses ban ■ The City of Yarra Council has endorsed a motion to investigate banning smart glasses at municipal leisure centres, childcare centres and playgrounds. The ban is proposed for leisure centres, childcare centres and playgrounds. Yarra City Council Mayor Cr Stephen Jolly says smart glasses are a rapidly evolving technology, and it is council's responsibility to protect the community's privacy in all council-run spaces. "Our spaces need to be safe and respectful – especially for the more vulnerable members of our community," he said. "This is about protecting people's privacy, particularly in places where children and families come together.” The Council resolved to investigate this further, with ‘carve outs’ for people living with disability who may need this technology to go about their daily lives. The Council will also call on the Federal Government to bring in stronger privacy laws to further protect people from these new technologies.
Magpie hot spots ■ It is magpie swopping season, and Bayside Council says its is receiving reports of birds swooping around the municipality and it is asking residents to be cautious during this temporary period. Temporary signage is being installed in parks and open spaces alerting visitors of bird-swoop hot spot areas.
The Southern Cross Edition covers Boroondara (south), Glen Eira, Kingston, Melbourne, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Yarra municipalities.
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