IN INNER-CITY North Melbourne — one of the state government's most marginal seats — residents have had rare success lobbying the government over plans for a social and private housing development at 210 Chetwynd Street. But they are under no illusions as to why.

NO LARGE-SCALE fuel reduction burns had been conducted in areas where the two most deadly Black Saturday bushfires gathered force in the first hours after they ignited, the Bushfires Royal Commission has heard.

THEY like to do it froggy-style, but urban noise could be ruining the sex lives of Melbourne's frogs.

JOHN BROOKING believes safe driving courses hold the key to a reduced road toll. The manufacturing manager from rural Victoria recently completed a defensive driving course with Murcotts Driving Excellence and says it helped save his life.

THE controversial myki smartcard has slipped behind schedule again, with the first public outing of the $1.4 billion smartcard next month to be reduced to a launch among selected "customers" only.