Newsflash December 2024
Newsflash Latest Edition!
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The CRA newsletter contains in depth news and information about the activities of the Carlton Residents Association.
Hard copies of the CRA Newsflash are available at the Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre (KSLCC)
2024 December
Download this edition here
A Message from the President
A reflection on the year that has passed and sharing some of the key challenges and achievements that have shaped our community.
CRA is juggling the five top priorities which shape the direction of our work.
- Retaining a HERITAGE FEEL & CHALLENGING inappropriate development
- Improving the GREEN ASPECT of parks and streetscapes.
- Improving the SAFETY, MOBILITY and WALKABILITY of CARLTON.
- Minimising TRAFFIC and NOISE.
- Advocating for AFFORDABLE HOUSING in the community.
pages 2,3
Next Lygon Street Market
Saturday February 8 2025
Argyle Square 10am to 3pm
Working Groups
Mobility
Parking
The parking improvements to Carlton precinct were rolled out from August 2024.
The changes are not ‘set and forget’ and will be reviewed within a year to make sure the new parking conditions are working well.
Have your say
You can have your say anytime, for any neighbourhood in the City of Melbourne on the Participate Melbourne Parking reviews page where the survey can also be accessed
The feedback goes to reviews and to the working group in order to track the progress in Carlton
page 4
Topical Issues
City of Melbourne – CoM – your closest level of government
From Cr Dr Olivia Ball
A new Council
The new council was sworn into office on 19 November, and will hold held first Council meeting of the term on 26 November.
A new history of the City of Melbourne
Investigate the latest history of the municipality. Written by independent professional historian Dr Amanda Lourie, it’s a 50-page truth-telling submission to the Yoorrook Justice Commission
pages 4,5
No sausage and no sizzle
A reflection on the 2024 Melbourne City Council Election.
It was not that long ago we lined up at a local polling booth to cast a vote for our preferred local council candidate. Waiting in the line was for many distracted by a sausage in a slice of bread provided at minimal cost by a local club or organisation.
The recently held Melbourne City Council election lacked the sizzle. Only two thirds of votes were received and 5% were informal.
The general view was that the campaigns failed to interest voters and information on the Teams was limited to the Lord Mayoral candidate.
The election campaign has resulted in calls for a review and reform of the City of Melbourne Act and its electoral provisions.
The Carlton Residents Association is well prepared to represent the interests of its members and friends over the next 4 years with its ‘Agenda for Carlton’ providing a platform for its advocacy role to the Council.
CRA Agenda for Carlton 2024 2025
pages 5,6
Meet your new Upper House Greens MP
From Ellen Sandell
Introducing Anasina Gray-Barberio – the newest Victorian Greens MP.
Anasina’s background as a community advocate and her deep understanding of climate issues will be an incredible asset as we continue to push the Labor government to prioritise people and planet, not fossil fuel profits.
pages 6,7
QVM lives on
Friends of Queen Victoria Market –
From Mary-Lou Howie
Going into the festive season we are jubilant that Queen Victoria Market is open for business and is car accessible.
A Controlled Action was declared that halted all Lendlease construction which was due to start in October. The Federal Government responded to our urging to step in to protect a National Heritage site, the Queen Victoria Market. Our voice has been heard. This does not happen often.
pages 7,8
CRA AGM
Date: Monday 17 February 2025
Venue: The studio Melbourne Connect, 700 Swanston St
Access the venue from Cardigan St or Swanston St –
The Studio is on ground level, on the north side of the open space
Time: Beginning 6pm and finishing by 7.15pm
Business:
Review CRA activities for 2024
Report on CRA proposals for 2025
Elect the committee for 2025
page 8
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- Newsflash October 2006
- Newsflash August 2006
- Newsflash June 2006
- Newsflash April 2006
- Newsflash February 2006
2005 Archive
2004 Archive
- Newsflash July 2004
- Newsflash June 2004
- Newsflash April 2004
- Newsflash February 2004
- Newsflash January 2004
Old Archive
- Newsflash December 2003
- Special Newsflash for November 2003 (Becton Decision)
- Newsflash September 2003 (PDF File)
- Newsflash August 2003
- Newsflash June 2003
- Newsflash April 2003
- Newsflash February 2003 ,
- Newsflash January 2003
- Extra Newsflash for December 2002 – Decision on amendment C20 (Height Limits)
- Newsflash December 2002
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Autumn 2015
Wonderful News
A restoration program is under way to reopen the dome of the much-loved Royal Exhibition Building. Page 1
AGM Address- Renate Howe
From Carlton Association to Carlton Residents Association. Page 2
Working groups
Traffic and transport and Parking
Government transport policies in action
- East West Link final chapter
On 15 April 2015, the Andrews ALP Government at last announced it had cancelled the EW Link contracts. Page 2
- Yet another roads project
With the dust hardly settled on EW Link cancellation, the Andrews Government announced an unsolicited proposal from City Link operator, Transurban, to build a $5.5 billion ‘Western Distributor’ (Premier’s Media Release, 30 April). Page 2
- Melbourne Metro go-ahead
Premier Andrews announced that construction of the $11 billion Melbourne Metro Rail (Newsflash, Summer 2015) to commence 2018. Page 3
- State Budget announcements
The State Budget brought down on 5 May allocated $22 billion to transport infrastructure projects during the life of the current government Page 3
Kay Street traffic issues
Following an approach from local residents regarding the high volume and excessive speed of traffic in Kay Street, Carlton, CRA alerted the Council Engineering Department to the problem. Page 3
Planning
VCAT decisions questioned
Almost 90% of Council planning refusals end up at VCAT, making Councils virtually redundant in the planning process. Page 4
Local heritage policy review
CRA Planning Group members and others have participated in recent consultations regarding the Council’s Local Heritage Planning Policy Review. The aim is to improve heritage planning decisions. Page 4
City Governance and Election Campaign Donations
Late in 2012, The Age newspaper ran with a headline ‘Cash may gag council vote’. This report contended that the ‘Melbourne City Council could be denied a say on key building projects, with a majority of councillors unable to vote because of developer donations that bankrolled their election campaigns.’ Page 5
Planning applications CoM Page 6
Associated Groups
Melbourne North Community Consultative Committee (CCC)
News on safety and community issues. Page 7
Carlton Gardens – Royal Exhibition Building (REB)
World Heritage Community Day and Young People’s Democracy Celebrations. Page 7
Topical issues
Graffiti management
The Council recently introduced a new plan for dealing with ever-present graffiti ‘tags’. Page 7
Community News
Harmony Day Celebrations 2015
Carlton Gardens Primary School celebrated on March 28. Page 8
Carlton Senior Citizens move from CAN to KSLCC
A commemorative lunch celebrated more than 50 years of Carlton Senior Citizens at the Church of All Nations (CAN), prior to their imminent move to the Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre (KSLCC). Page 8