Bendigo - 3550

Renters searching for affordable housing have been at the forefront of Australia's housing crisis. But landlords say bad tenants and state-based reforms are making it tough for them too.

Researchers estimate 440,000 older households in Australia will be without suitable housing by 2031. A 56-year-old central Victorian woman is already experiencing the pain.

Death cafes, death doulas, loss podcasts, and alternative funerals and memorials. There's new life in death planning and what we want to happen to our bodies.

The federal government says the practice will be phased out by 2036. The decision has been applauded by some, but others say it means the end of the line for their business and more pain for consumers.

An air ambulance has been unable to land at Bendigo Hospital on at least one occasion because of the risk of a bat strike, with Ambulance Victoria saying it is "continuing to monitor" the situation.

Interest rates may remain on hold for now, but after 12 consecutive hikes since mid-2022, small businesses still struggle with low consumer spending and increased operating costs.

New witnesses come forward as retired homicide detective Charlie Bezzina visits Avoca, the town in Victoria where 12-year-old Terry Floyd was last seen in 1975.

Industry professionals say there are better interventions to help people break into the property market, but some fear axing the first home owner grant will send the "wrong message".

The council overseeing Apollo Bay, Otway, and Colac along the Great Ocean Road wants to cut red tape on people staying longer in caravans and tiny homes amid an intractable housing shortage.

Untrained, inexperienced and a potential hazard to themselves and everyone else on the road. This is the scenario many drivers face when they tow a caravan for the first time.

Catherine Carney's business is booked out for six weeks as demand for her services soars in Victoria. She says she sees a "definite link" between the start of the COVID pandemic, declining mental health and an increase in hoarding.

A Bendigo doctor wants the government to make it easier for internationally trained nurses to practise in Australia after being out of the workforce for some time.

A fresh set of Victorian traditional owners elected to the First Peoples' Assembly are preparing for Australia's first statewide treaty negotiations, which they say represent an "ongoing journey" that will benefit all Victorians.

A Bendigo Pilates teacher is calling on social media companies to do more to protect users after falling victim to a "very smooth" scam that locked her out of her account — then used it to target other victims.

While mascots help the public remember moments, they also indicate the pulse of a city or country at the time. But not all Commonwealth Games mascots have found their place in the sun.

On Monday, a curtain of silence fell on the Victorian government. On Tuesday, it dropped a bombshell and cancelled the 2026 Commonwealth Games. After a week of backlash, the government remains convinced it made the right call, writes Richard Willingham.

Andrea Metcalf says she's conscious of the budget constraints of governments, and welcomes the regional spending package that will come in lieu of the games.

Victoria hardly had to beat rival contenders for the now-dumped 2026 Commonwealth Games, a far cry from the prize fight bidding war for the coveted Olympics. It begs the question — which event is preferable to host?

Mount Alexander Shire will lobby the state government to voice its support for a ban on commercial roo shooting in the region.

With about 2 million homes connected to gas in Victoria, a program director for energy and climate science says a shift to electricity needs to speed up.

A creek which was named after a derogatory term has regained its connection with Aboriginal language as part of a growing movement to reinstate traditional owner names.   

A Commonwealth Games stalwart says many athletes will be waking up today wondering, "Is there any point?" after being stripped of the opportunity to complete locally.

Farmer Brian Klowss still can't use roads around his properties as repairs to damage caused in October last year drag on.

Days after the rejection of a motion from grain growers to have the Victorian Farmers Federation board dumped, it has been revealed that dairy farmers have formed an advocacy body of their own.

Looking forward to a 12-day, world-class sporting event outside metro Melbourne, regional hosts say today's shock call by the Andrews Government is a "kick in the guts".