Free dental clinics in Monash and Yarra Ranges would be open for 76 hours a week, under a state Labor promise made on Sunday.

Labor leader Ben Carroll upsized his pledge for 10 dental clinics to 20, with 14 locations in Melbourne including centres in Monash and the Yarra Ranges.

He said the walk-up clinics would open in July 2027, and that the government would invest an additional $230 million in the scheme, bringing the total commitment to $460 million over three years. The clinics would open from 9am to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends.

People would be able to have free check-ups, fillings, root canals and extractions. Cases would be prioritised on the basis of urgency.

In an attempt to lure workers to the clinics, the state would offer regional dentists a sign-on bonus of $30,000.

The Australian Dental Association Victoria Branch (ADAVB) said the Labor proposal was a “significant and untested model” and must not increase “publicly eligible and underserved populations paying fees while others receive care for free”.

“The test for every commitment is whether it reaches the people with the greatest need first, and whether there is a realistic and sustainable plan to staff it,” said president Dr Carolyn Ng.

Why does it matter? There have long been calls for dental to be covered by Medicare, however political parties baulk at the cost. As a result, older and younger Australians delay dental care.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics stated that between 2022 and 2023, 2.3 million Australians skipped seeing the dentist due to the price tag.

The data also showed that lower income earners were more likely to delay treatment, and were three times more likely to delay a visit by two years.

What’s next? The Eastern Melburnian has sought comment from local MPs and candidates and will update this story as required.

A Victorian Liberal Party spokesperson said a promise for new clinics must also have a “credible plan to deliver them”.

“The Australian Dental Association reports that Victorians were waiting an average of 15 months for community dental care as at July, while the public dental system had previously been estimated to operate at just over half its capacity,” the spokesperson said. “Victorians deserve answers about where the dentists will come from, whether the scheme will be means-tested, how the $460 million will be funded and what it will mean for patients already waiting for treatment.”

Veteran Knox councillor Peter Lockwood has not gone quietly.

Lockwood, who quit the council on Thursday October 29 – forcing a by-election – told the Eastern Melburnian on Friday October 30 he walked away due to mental health concerns and to get out of what he claimed was a “nest of vipers”.

First elected as a councillor in 1993, Lockwood was suspended twice this year over allegations of misconduct in 2025.

The most recent suspension, from June to July, followed arbitration proceedings into allegations he called two fellow councillors “f***wits” and told them to “f*** off” during last year's mayoral election debate. Lockwood denied the allegations, but was ordered to apologise in writing and verbally.

Lockwood, who has ADHD and complex PTSD, said he was “no longer young” and was looking forward to spending more time with his wife and grandchildren.

“Any longer and my mental health would have crashed,” he said. He claimed he had faced “hostility” from within the chamber.

A statement from Knox Council steered clear of controversy. It quoted Mayor Paige Kennett, who acknowledged Lockwood’s time as a councillor and, in 2014 and 2015, as mayor.

“Serving as a Councillor is a significant commitment, and we acknowledge the contribution he has made during his time on Council. We wish Peter all the very best for the future.”

Lockwood said he was proud of playing a part in the establishment of an Emergency Relief Fund and Winter Shelter Program for locals experiencing homelessness.

First elected as the Dinsdale Ward councillor in 1993, Lockwood served for one year before the Kennett government restructured local councils.

He won the vote for Dinsdale Ward in 2000, but quit after being elected as the Labor MP for Bayswater. He served as a backbencher in the Bracks government before losing his seat in 2006.

Lockwood returned to the council in 2012, serving as the Baird Ward councillor until 2020, before being re-elected in 2024. He was mayor for one year (2014/15).

The Victorian Electoral Commission will hold a by-election to elect a new councillor for Baird Ward. Dates, candidate nominations and voting arrangements are yet to be announced by council.

Residents in areas like Bulleen and Lower Templestowe will soon be able to use GPS tracking to move their cars before a street sweeper rolls down their road.

With patches of debris left underneath parked cars, Manningham Council is investing in a $550,000 machine to bring their total fleet to three street sweepers next July.

The council began purchasing the new sweeper in June, allocating $550,000 in its 2027/28 budget.

Operating costs are expected to reach about $250,000 annually, covering maintenance and an operator.

Residents will also be able to check the council's website for an area-based schedule showing when sweeping is planned in their neighbourhood.

Manningham Council maintains 608 kilometres of local roads, with its existing street-sweeping program currently operating two sweepers across three shifts, providing an average residential sweeping cycle of about eight to 12 weeks or longer during periods of heavy leaf fall or rough weather.

The third sweeper is estimated to increase the frequency of service by 35 percent and reduce this cycle to about seven to eight weeks.

Cars parked along a road essentially prevent a street sweeper from sweeping, with skilled operators only able to sweep up to about a car’s length away from parked cars.

Manningham councillor Anna Chen said while she welcomed the new addition to the fleet, it would only be worth its $550,000 bill if council was able to work with the community to ensure they are aware of when their streets will be swept, so they can park their vehicles elsewhere.

“Even a three-sweeper fleet cannot clean up gutters if it's blocked by vehicles,” she told the chamber.