Month: May 2026

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

Council will consider a new Bendigo City Centre Action Plan 2026-2029 at its May 18 meeting, outlining measures to strengthen the city centre as a more active, welcoming and investment-ready destination.

The three-year plan draws on a Retail and Hospitality Gap Analysis, economic modelling and an Investment Attraction Plan developed by local company REMPLAN. It looked at current business offerings, customer demand, a changing population and how Bendigo compares to other regional centres. While initially developed for Hargreaves Mall, the findings apply across the broader city centre.

The plan will replace the Hargreaves Mall Action Plan 2023-2026. It will guide delivery of the Investment Attraction Plan, based on five priority areas in the city centre. In collaboration with key stakeholders, including landlords and agents, it looks to: 

• Secure anchor tenants and high impact projects
• Activate vacant and underutilised spaces
• Support business diversity and night-time economy
• Improve access and parking experience
• Enhance the public realm and encourage events

The new plan outlines a set of actions to attract national retailers, high quality food and drink businesses, and experience based operators. It proposes the potential for shared tenancies, shopfront improvements, short term lease subsidies and more pilot programs.

It includes an action to reopen the Hargreaves Street Mall to one-way, low-speed vehicle access within the next six months, with traffic entering from the Mitchell Street end.

Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cooney said the plan recognised the challenges currently facing the city centre and outlined positive steps to support revitalisation.

“With the city centre accounting for around a quarter of all local jobs and $3.3B in annual output, this is an opportunity to strengthen the city centre’s reputation as a vibrant, mixed-use destination that serves as the region’s primary hub for shopping, employment, culture and tourism,” Mr Cooney said.

“All precincts play an important role in creating a thriving and revitalised city centre to boost growth and respond to the changing needs of people living, working and visiting the area.

“While the City does not control private properties, staff continue to engage with landlords and agents. Well-placed anchor tenants, particularly recognised retail or hospitality brands, could significantly shift perceptions, draw more people to the city centre and encourage other businesses to locate nearby to support a day and night economy.

“The recommendation to open the Mall to one way vehicle access is not a single solution, but part of a broader approach to restore confidence, attract investment, support local businesses and encourage long term growth in the city centre.”

While Bendigo Art Gallery is under redevelopment, the City is delighted to announce Bendigo Town Hall will become the host venue for Bendigo Art Gallery’s next off-site exhibitions in 2026 and 2027.

Additional artist-led events and large scale new public artworks are also planned for the View Street precinct. More details on future events and activations will be announced in the coming months.

Council will consider the draft Bendigo City Centre Action Plan 2026-2029 at its meeting on May 18.

Source: Tasmania Police

Four separately charged after Taskforce Scelus seize firearms, drugs and cash

Wednesday, 13 May 2026 – 3:15 pm.

Four people have been separately charged after a series of targeted searches across Ulverstone and Devonport resulted in the seizure of three illegal firearms, ammunition, quantities of illicit substances and cash.
The first search on Monday (11 May) was conducted after a driver on Main Road at Ulverstone returned a positive oral fluid test for methylamphetamine. During a search of his vehicle, members of Taskforce Scelus located a working homemade .22 calibre pistol, .22 calibre ammunition, other assorted ammunition, a large quantity of knives, a used ice pipe and methylamphetamine.
The 30-year-old Launceston man was arrested and charged with multiple firearms-related offences, minor drug offences, drive whilst suspended, and unlawfully carry a dangerous article in a public place.
He was detained in custody to appear in court and was subsequently remanded in custody.
On the same day, taskforce members intercepted a 40-year-old Ulverstone man riding a bicycle in Ulverstone, locating a substantial amount of cash and a quantity of methylamphetamine.
A subsequent search was conducted at a residential address in Ulverstone where taskforce members and members of Western Drug and Firearm Services Unit located a further quantity of methylamphetamine, a quantity of liquid G and a quantity of cannabis.
A 35-year-old Ulverstone woman was arrested following the search.
Both the man and woman were charged with trafficking and other drug-related offences.
They will both appear in court at a later date.
On Tuesday (12 May), Taskforce Scelus members intercepted a vehicle in Devonport,  with a 37-year-old Turners Beach man returning a positive oral fluid test for methylamphetamine.
A subsequent search of the vehicle located 2 pistol firearms, ammunition and a quantity of cannabis.
The man, who was subject to an active firearms prohibition order, was arrested and charged with multiple firearms-related offences, and minor drug offences.
He will appear in court at a later date.
Tasmania Police will continue to target offenders involved in the possession, use and trafficking of illicit drugs and illegal firearms.
Anyone with information about illicit drugs or illegal firearms in the community is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at crimestopperstas.com.au.

Source: Tasmania Police

Two people charged in relation to shoplifting offences in Claremont and Sandy Bay

Wednesday, 13 May 2026 – 2:47 pm.

Glenorchy Police have today arrested a 14-year-old girl and a 26-year-old woman, both from the Claremont area, in relation to two shoplifting matters this month. 
Police will allege that both people were together when they stole property from retail outlets in Claremont and Sandy Bay to a value of approximately $4,500. 
Some of the stolen property has been recovered and seized by police as part of the investigation. 
Both people have been detained to appear before court. 
Inspector Jason Klug of Glenorchy Police said, “Police will continue to actively target this type of offending to reduce property crime and hold offenders accountable.” 
If anyone has information about criminal activity, they are urged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

HOST: Prime Minister, good morning and thank you so much for joining us.

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< PRIME MINISTERNeglect, and that was the case. We now have, 99 per cent of the time, there’s a nurse back in nursing homes. We’re increasing aged care, residential care, but also home care as well for older Australians.

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Source: Prime Minister of Australia

SARAH ABO, HOST: To discuss, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins us live now from Canberra. Prime Minister, good morning to you. Has your word ever been your bond?

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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Major Fraud Squad has arrested a 52-year-old male following an extensive investigation into allegations of large-scale theft and deception offences.

Operation Cheyenne was established in December 2025 to investigate allegations the man stole property, including plant and equipment and building materials between August 2021 and June 2025 to improve his properties.

It is alleged that the man stole property, including plant and equipment and building materials to improve his two properties on Old Bynoe Rd, Livingstone with a total loss in the order of $1.33 million.

On Wednesday, 1 April 2026, the Major Fraud Squad executed search warrants with assistance from other members of the Financial Crimes Section and other specialist units, at two separate properties on Old Bynoe Road, Livingstone.

During the searches, police recovered around $123,000 worth of allegedly stolen plant and equipment. Police also identified 32 explosive ordnance items suspected of having military origin, unsafe for public possession including Second World War munitions, hand grenades, rocket components and warheads.

These items were subsequently released to the Australian Defence Forces Northern Territory Joint Explosive Ordnance Support team for secure storage and referral through to the Australian Federal Police.

The 52 year-old male was arrested and charged with:

• 7 x Obtaining property by Deception contrary to section 228 AH Criminal Code Act 1983 (NT)
• 1 x Theft contrary to section 217 Criminal Code Act 1983 (NT)

The Australian Federal Police also charged the man with the following Commonwealth offences:

• One count dishonestly took property belonging to a Commonwealth entity namely military grade munitions and ordnances contrary to section 132.8 (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
• One count dishonestly retained property belonging to a Commonwealth entity namely military grade munitions and ordnances contrary to section 132.8 (2) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

He appeared at Darwin Local Court on 2 April 2026 and was bailed to appear in court on 20 June 2026.

Major Fraud Squad Detective Sergeant Nicholas George said:

“Fraud is reported by the Australian Institute of Criminology as costing Australians more than $5 Billion per year.

“The resolution of this operation involved collaboration with federal partners and through continued co-operation we will investigate, prosecute, and disrupt anyone who commits Fraud in the Northern Territory”.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

HOST: Someone who knows all about the Budget, he is Anthony Albanese, our Prime Minister and he is on with us this morning. Thank you for choosing our show this morning, Prime Minister.

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Source: Prime Minister of Australia

JAMES GLENDAY, HOST: We have just been chatting to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he got mic’ed up and he joins us now. Prime Minister, welcome to News Breakfast.

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Source: Prime Minister of Australia

HOST: Good morning, Albo. 

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Source: Prime Minister of Australia

MEL CLARKE, HOST: Prime Minister, thank you for joining AM this morning.

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