If we can remove Pam the Bird, why can’t we remove this?
11 Aug 2026Melbourne has recently been talking about graffiti again following the appearance of the now infamous Pam the Bird on the Bolte Bridge.
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Latest articles by Tony Penna
How do we turn neighbours into a community?
7 Jul 2026Southbank has undergone an extraordinary transformation over the past two decades. What was once largely a commercial precinct has become one of Australia’s most densely populated residential communities. Every day, thousands of people call Southbank home—but increasingly, many of them are only here for a short time.
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More than just rubbish
10 Jun 2026If you spend any time walking around Southbank, you’ve probably noticed it yourself. Overflowing rubbish bins have become an increasingly common sight across parts of our neighbourhood.
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When a Southbank tree dies, the loss is bigger than it looks
12 May 2026A tree died outside my office recently.
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Temporary forever, or is Southbank simply unplanned?
7 Apr 2026In Southbank, we are no strangers to plans.
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The Red Stairs: nearly a decade of debate
10 Mar 2026Few structures in Southbank generate as much discussion as the Red Stairs at Queensbridge Square.
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Selling our history: What’s really at stake with Victoria Barracks?
10 Feb 2026For more than a century, the Victoria Barracks on St Kilda Rd has been a mystery hidden behind high fences and military precision.
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Community Safety Officers: a welcome initiative – but are we missing a key opportunity?
10 Dec 2025As Southbank continues to grow into one of Melbourne’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, safety remains one of the most consistent concerns raised by residents.
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When promises meet politics: the Lord Mayor’s conflict of interest
12 Nov 2025During his election campaign, the Lord Mayor Nick Reece, made one promise that resonated deeply with voters – that he would not accept donations from property developers.
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OC Act, rubbish and graffiti
8 Oct 2025Last month the state government opened a review into the Owners’ Corporation Act for public comment. As would have been expected, Southbank Residents’ Association (SRA) made a submission to this.
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Our action-packed AGM
10 Sep 2025Well, we have just finished our annual general meeting (AGM) where we heard from Dr Yazid Ninsalam, Associate Dean, Landscape Architecture from the School of Architecture and Urban Design at RMIT University.
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BE ENGAGED: a wake-up call
6 Aug 2025During this past month I experienced something that I never thought I would experience, but moreover, that I’m always warning other owners, buildings, and committees to try to avoid through owner engagement.
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