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The Westsider: May, 2026

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.

Editor’s note 

Despite the decisions of idiots, many people are working hard to find solutions to our fuel crisis.

In Focus Festival lights up photography in Maribyrnong

The inaugural In Focus Festival, a six-week outdoor photography event transforming Footscray and Yarraville into a vibrant openair exhibition, is currently on until the end of May.

Your voice

This month we had responses to the story on Champion Road Closure, a farewell to David from the Charcoal Chicken shop, and a query about the worth of the royal family.

Fuel crisis lays bare public transport woes in Melbourne’s west

Does free public transport improve the experiences in the West?

“The state has shafted us again”

Transport strategy, the Footscray Hospital and 'welcome crew' news were on the agenda this month.

Complaints about Greater Western Water billing issues continue to rise 

Two years since a new billing system, The Westsider provides help for you to check your water bill.

Electing an independent to Melbourne’s west won’t change policy. Here’s what will.

Consider whether what the West actually needs is a serious policy body rather than a political body.

Could an incident like Geelong’s VIVA fire happen in the western suburbs?

By Rosa McKenna The US-Israeli wars in the Middle East have brought into sharp focus the refining, storing, and transporting of fuel in Australia as...

Native animals face ‘housing crisis’ unless logging banned permanently in old growth forests

The new Public Land Act is a crucial opportunity to protect Victoria’s native state forests and the habitats of endangered animals.

No changes to Willy Beach Life Saving Club redevelopment plans despite state takeover

Read about the latest in the Willy Beach Life Saving Club redevelopment and local concerns.

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#118 MAY 2026

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