By Daniel Allen. Artificial Intelligence could be the solution to Victoria’s ongoing pothole crisis. Potholes have become a major Victorian state election issue with both major parties committing billions of dollars to repair roads. But an expert from Swinburne University of Technology says the solution lies in using AI to find “coconut cracks” before they become potholes. Director of the Vehicle Engineering Team at Swinburne University, Associate Professor Ambarish Kulkarni

By George Podeu. If the Labor government wins the Victorian state election they have promised to allow dogs into pubs and extend trading hours to 3am. Dogs in pubs would require amending the 1984 Food Act. Melbourne hospitality worker Dylan Carver was unsure about the proposal. “I think dogs are a particular issue” and that it would be “quite a nuisance particularly inside of pubs.” “They run around and there's people carrying heavy trays of drinks, food,” he said. Regarding

Reporter: Beyonce Kariuki. Australians living with trauma and psychosis could be missing out on effective talk therapy because too few psychologists are trained to provide it, a Swinburne researcher says. Psychologist Dr Leila Jameel worked on an international trial that found trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy improved symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and some symptoms of psychosis when added to usual care. “We can never change the things that have happen

Reporter: James Ohis-Kummer. A sea bird infected with H5 bird flu has been found dead in Melbourne’s north. This is the first case confirmed in the Merri-Bek council area, roughly 15 kilometres from the bay. Deakin University Professor and Chair of Ecology Marcel Klaassen says the inland location of the bird was “extremely weird" but given the prevalence of Crested Terns in Port Phillip Bay the finding was possible. “It’s not an ordinary place for a Greater Crested Tern to ha

Reporter: Charlotte Dyer. As spring arrives in Melbourne, Indigenous students have deepened their connection to culture through an art project exploring the seven Wurundjeri seasons. Wurundjeri Country is currently shifting from Guling (orchid season) into Poorneet (tadpole season), and the work of 18 students capturing that seasonal change was exhibited at Swinburne University's NAIDOC 2026 celebration on 2 September. The exhibition, Hidden Worlds on Wurundjeri Land, was cre

Reporter: Molly Davis. Local and independent theatre companies are becoming increasingly reliant on community support and volunteer work to keep productions running. The Victorian Government has introduced funding initiatives to support the creative industries. But where does this leave smaller theatre companies? Tegan DeClark, director of Warrandyte Theatre Company’s Boeing Boeing production, says support from the local community is vital. “We wouldn’t be able to function wi

Reporter: Ruby Taylor. Online fitness coach James Fox has built a social media following of over 15 thousand people by sharing fitness and training advice. The 22-year-old’s Instagram page (@jimmygymin) is also being used to counter some of the toxic messages many young men come across online. With a large part of his audience made up of Gen Z males, Fox says that he is aware of how influential social media can be in shaping attitudes and beliefs. “I’m still young myself and

Reporter: Loosh Fisher. One of Melbourne’s longest-running markets celebrated a major milestone over the weekend, with the Camberwell Sunday Market marking 50 years of bargain hunting, vintage finds and iconic jam donuts. The anniversary brought together the usual mix of much-loved stallholders and food vendors, alongside DJs and live performers throughout the market. Opening in 1976, the Camberwell Sunday Market has become something of an institution for Melburnians. For gen

Reporter: James Ohis-Kummer. Accessible tram stops in Melbourne’s north have been neglected. Of the 35 stops on the Route 19 tram, only seven stops are accessible for people who experience mobility access issues and most of the stops are kerbside hailing points without ramps. Merri-Bek local Will Taylor lives with arthritis in his knee and knows this firsthand. “Seven accessible stops isn’t the same thing as an accessible tram route,” said Taylor. “Getting up onto and off th

Reporter: Molly Davis. For many women, coming home to an empty house isn’t a sign of loneliness; it’s a sign of freedom. Women account for around 55 per cent of people living alone, and this figure is expected to increase. For Siobhan Beggs, living alone with her cat has given her the freedom to do what she wants, when she wants, without worrying about someone else’s needs. “Compared to some of the previous stages in my life where I lived with someone, I’m in a healthier head

Reporter: Ruby Taylor. Despite the cost of living crisis, the Winter Night Market in Melbourne’s CBD is attracting huge crowds and organisers have extended its annual run by two weeks. The market is a part of the Queen Victoria Market’s Winter Series, which highlights in-season produce and retail items. Specialty traders set up at the Night Market every Wednesday from June through to August, but due to high demand have extended their stay. Retailer Marshall Waters said, “Ther

Reporter: Beyonce Kariuki. Women are no longer making the first move on the dating app Bumble but experts say the change may do little to solve dating app fatigue. The design feature was initially meant to change expectations that men should message first, but Bumble has now dropped it. Swinburne psychology lecturer Dr Taylor Gogan said removing the rule that women make first contact could place more pressure on women by giving them the additional task of initiating conversa