⏱️ The 179th edition of our newsletter is a five-minute read.

👋 Morning everyone — Matthew here, your reporter at the Eastern Melburnian.

🗳️ This week, I’ve been deep in conversations with the MPs and candidates in a number of key seats across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, asking why they’re seeking your vote on November 28.

🏗️ I also took a look at a proposed eight-storey residential and retail tower approved in Hawthorn and, particularly, how the developer was able to make a cash contribution rather than put affordable housing opportunities in place.

🔎 Lastly, I dug into the archives to learn about the Swagman Restaurant in Ferntree Gully. I’d heard things about it from family members, but didn’t know much. I was surprised to uncover the tale of an early-morning fire destroying the building and a court case with insurers alleging arson and fraud. I also found reports that the D-Generation comedy group became obsessed with the place near the end of its life, even going so far as broadcasting their radio show from the smoking wreckage the morning after the fire.

📬 If you have any memories, photos or strange stories connected to the Swagman, send them through to [email protected]

Now, onto today’s news!

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“It gets paid to the state government, but we don't get to see it.”

Boroondara deputy mayor Shima Ibuki, who is running as an independent in Hawthorn in the November state election, said the cash option for developers to make a cash contribution towards affordable housing, but not necessarily locally, was a “loophole”. She said money paid should be spent in Boroondara.

WHAT’S ON COMING UP 🎟️

RECENT HEADLINES 📰

Boroondara backs $52 million Hawthorn tower but hits out at affordable housing “loophole”

Boroondara City Council has offered its broad support for a new $52.28 million eight-storey apartment and retail development in Hawthorn.

However, councillors have slammed the state government for allowing developers to make a cash contribution instead of committing to build affordable housing, arguing the benefits end up going elsewhere.

Currently a 7-Eleven service station, the proposal sets out plans for an eight-storey, 51-apartment mixed-use development on the corner of Barkers Road and Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn.

The project would also create 477 square metres of retail space on the ground floor.

When projects of this size are built in Victoria, developers must abide by the Development Facilitation Program (DFP). Under the DFP, the state’s Planning Minister can make the final call on priority projects, like the Hawthorn tower, allowing them to skip council planning processes and public consultation.

Developers must also make an affordable housing contribution worth around 3 percent of the project, either by:

  • selling 10 percent of dwellings at a 30 percent discount to Homes Victoria or a community housing provider;

  • gifting them 3 percent of dwellings; or

  • paying 3 percent of the development cost into the Social Housing Growth Fund.

The developers of the Hawthorn block decided to make the cash contribution at three percent of the development cost – or $1,568,400.

One issue councillors have with the current DFP is that cash contributions, like that paid in Hawthorn, don’t have to be spent within the same council. Instead, this money goes to the state and is managed by the government.

Boroondara City Council has requested the state government spend the money on affordable housing in Hawthorn or Boroondara.

Read more at the link below:

Boroondara backs $52 million Hawthorn tower but hits out at affordable housing “loophole”

“It gets paid to the state government, but we don't get to see it.”

Who remembers the Swagman Restaurant?

Sitting off Burwood Highway in Ferntree Gully, the iconic smorgasbord and cabaret venue operated from 1972 to 1991, when it was engulfed by flames in an early-morning fire.

Learn more about its history here:

Oakleigh South set to welcome up to 1,100 homes

The state government has approved a housing development of up to 1,100 homes on an 18.8-hectare former quarry and landfill site in Oakleigh South, overriding council and community concerns about environmental risks.

Watch the video explainer here:

2,500 people turned up to Hawthorn to learn how to get off gas. Where do the parties stand?

Hawthorn’s free electrification expo drew its biggest crowd yet last weekend, as households sought advice on cutting energy costs.

Held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre on Sunday, the event connected residents with installers and experts on solar panels, home batteries and heat pumps.

Watch my video rundown here:

✍️ EASTERN MELBOURNE QUIZ QUESTIONS (AND ANSWERS)

Question 1: Which suburb hosted the Whitehorse Hotel (not the White Horse Hotel), which became a popular venue for rockers like Billy Thorpe?

A: Nunawading

Question 2: • Which two railway stations on the Lilydale line were permanently closed and demolished to make way for Union station?

A: Mont Albert and Surrey Hills

Question 3: In which year did the Box Hill and Nunawading councils merge to create the new Whitehorse City Council?

A: 1994

Question 4: Which Kmart in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs opened in 1969 as the first store open 24 hours?

A: Burwood

Question 5: Which famous restaurant in Ferntree Gully was destroyed by fire in May 1991?

A: The Swagman Restaurant

Finally: 💰 Sportsbet has made AI advertisements of NRL and AFL players promoting gambling — without permission.

❌ The videos have been taken down, after the players and the AFL pushed back.

▶️ Watch the National Account’s Archie Milligan dive into the story below:

Keep Reading