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The Westsider: November, 2025

The Westsider is a not-for-profit, monthly community newspaper, written by volunteers and delivered to hundreds of pick-up points across the inner west each month.

The Hidden Reality of Living Near a School

By Lena Yiallouros On paper, buying a home near a school sounds ideal. The real estate listings make it sound like a dream — great...

Editor’s note

Fifteen years ago you’d have been hard pressed to hear the word ‘binary’ in casual conversation. These days it’s commonplace.

Your voice

This month's letters discuss the Willy beach proposed redevelopment as well as discussion over the old Footscray Hospital site.

Annual reports, rail versus runways, and a mayor returns 

October reviews from Brimbank City Council, Maribyrnong City Council, Hobsons Bay City Council and Wyndham Council meetings

There’s no hiding from the facts: The West Gate Tunnel stacks will funnel toxic fumes directly over thousands of residents

The West Gate Tunnel project raises alarms as a commissioned engineer's report found stacks will funnel toxic fumes, threatening residents' health in Melbourne's inner west.

Uncertainty around the full cost of the Williamstown Beach Life Saving Club redevelopment

The Victorian government has distanced itself from the stalled Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club redevelopment despite being responsible for the bulk of its funding.

Families affected by drug addiction offered hope and brighter futures

Amongst the quiet streets and wide spaces of Melbourne’s western suburbs live children facing impossible barriers at home; parents battling drug addiction. 

Council-backed private security is being trialled in Footscray. Not everyone’s so happy about it.

The patrol system adopted and implemented by Council has critics who express concerns about community safety and homelessness.

A community response to Footscray CBD ‘mall cops’

Discover why the Footscray Community Response group oppose the hiring of private security guards.

New public hospital for the West under construction

There is a new public, community hospital now under construction in Point Cook, finally giving a much-needed boost to the vital health infrastructure in the western suburbs.  

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