Pledge to ditch renewables target could cost Guy in sandbelt: poll

Matthew Guy's determination to scrap Victoria's renewable energy target will cost him votes in some of Melbourne's most marginal electorates and reduce his prospects of becoming premier, a poll has found.

The Macarthur wind farm in western Victoria. The Victorian
 government has set a target of 40 per cent renewables by 2025.

A clear majority of voters surveyed in the four swinging "sandbelt" seats of Bentleigh, Mordialloc, Carrum and Frankston in Melbourne's south-east supported moves to boost the proportion of wind and solar power generated in Victoria at the expense of coal.

A ReachTel poll of almost 3000 people in the four electorates found there is strong support for the Andrews government’s ambitious renewable energy target of 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025.

Read Adam Carey’s story from The Age - “Pledge to ditch renewables target could cost Guy in sandbelt: poll.”

Thousands protest development of parks in Melbourne's leafy north-east

Battle lines are being drawn in Melbourne's leafy north-east suburbs between those who want to protect green space and those who want recreational infrastructure built to meet the needs of a growing population.

Thousands of Eltham residents protest against
the proposed sell-off of public space.

Thousands protested against Nillumbik Shire's proposed sale of public land in Eltham on Sunday, with organisers warning the identity of an area whose council slogan is "the green wedge" was under threat.

Read Joe Hinchliffe’s story from The Age - “Thousands protest development of parks in Melbourne's leafy north-east.”

Is Melbourne ready for summer?

It's Melbourne's third consecutive day over 43 degrees. The power is out. Trains are at a standstill after the rails buckle and warp in the heat.

Melbourne is set for a hot summer of warmer than average days and nights.

Ambulances and hospitals struggle to cope with massively increased patient numbers.

The sweltering conditions are more deadly than a bushfire, claiming hundreds of lives.

This isn't some dystopia. It already happened, in 2009.

And many fear Melbourne might experience such extreme conditions again this summer.

Read Debbie Cuthbertson’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Is Melbourne ready for summer?”

Melbourne to swelter through longest November heatwave in 150 years

Melbourne's spring weather has sent records tumbling, with forecasters predicting the longest November heatwave in more than 150 years.

People enjoy hot weather at St Kilda beach in November this year. 

The city has sweltered through its first taste of summer early this year, and if temperatures stay as high as predicted, it will be Melbourne's first seven-day spell of temperatures higher than 28 degrees in November since official records began in 1862.

Melbourne is halfway though its hot streak, and unless you plan on being poolside for the rest of the week, there's not much relief in sight.

The mercury hit 34 degrees on Tuesday and Melburnians are expected to toss and turn through another sticky night with the temperature not expected to drop below 22 degrees. 

Read Melissa Cunningham’s story in the  Melbourne Age - “Melbourne to swelter through longest November heatwave in 150 years.”

Abandoned golf course in Dandenongs to become new botanic gardens

A neglected former golf course in the Dandenongs will be turned into parkland and become part of Melbourne's newest botanic garden.

The Kurume bowl and pond in the National Rhododendron
 Gardens, which will become part of the new Dandenong
 Ranges Botanic Garden. 

The Olinda public golf course closed more than five years ago after being abandoned by its owners. It has since been maintained by Parks Victoria as a bushfire break in the Dandenong Ranges.  

Wedged between the National Rhododendron Gardens and the Dandenong Ranges National Park, the former course will be converted to parkland in mid-2018.

The Andrews government will spend $4.72 million converting the 34-hectare zone to parkland, which will include open space, picnic areas and a sports oval.

Read Adam Carey’s story in the Melbourne Age - “Abandoned golf course in Dandenongs to become new botanic gardens.”