Welcome to FitzTalk
Dear Members & Friends,
Welcome to the second edition of FitzTalk for 2021.
2021 is looking increasingly like 2020 revisited as we seek a pathway through the pandemic via lockdown and now vaccination.
The FRA Committee has moved from zoom to face to face meetings at the Union Club Hotel as we address the interests and needs of residents across our suburb and interact on wider City issues with like-minded resident groups. We are now planning and looking forward to meeting with members at the first of our PubTalk events in June.
We trust you will find useful information in this issue and remind you that your comments are always welcome along with suggestions for future issues.
Martin Brennan, Chair
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Save The Date — PubTalk is Here!
The first of our irregular PubTalks events for members will be held on Sunday 20 June at 3.30pm – 5.00pm at a Fitzroy venue. Please save the date. The event will have a panel of speakers as well as Q&A on the topic “Post Pandemic Living: What Next?”
There will be light food provided and you can purchase drinks at the venue bar. Members will be emailed the EventBrite registration details separately with full details (as this is a members only event).
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Yarra’s Budget 2021–2022
Much of what Council can achieve is affected by its budget priorities and the FRA priorities (as determined by a survey in 2020) are firmly in mind. We also call for members to email in current or new budget priorities and issues for Yarra via info@fitzroyresidents.org.au by the start of May so that Committee can respond effectively on behalf of members to the public consultation.
Heritage is one such key priority. The City is unable to progress the 2019 Council approved Heritage Strategy adequately given a lack of funding priority. In 2019 budget for a heritage department was deferred given the need for community pandemic support at $7m. It is now time this area was properly funded — four staff are needed in the department, not one or two as currently proposed.
The draft budget is now available on Yarra website at: https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/events/2021/04/20/council-meeting
and a Council public consultation meeting is proposed for the 7 June 2021. A final decision on the budget is planned for 22 June 2021.
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Time to Talk
The City of Yarra is in need of social housing to provide the diversity of housing so essential to current and future residents. The FRA has therefore expressed the view that the re-development of the Collingwood Town Hall precinct requires the Council and Minister for Housing, Richard Wynne to find common ground that would deliver as a priority social housing and community facilities for public housing tenants. The offer of Government financial support through the $5.3bn Big Housing Build for private, social and affordable housing was rejected by the Council. The majority of councillors supported social housing only plus a community hub for public housing tenants.
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Gertrude Street
South Fitzroy is home to some of Yarra’s most prized heritage buildings and the area around Nicholson St and Gertrude St falls within the UNESCO World Heritage Environs Area (WHEA). The proposed development at 1–9 Gertrude Street is within the WHEA zone of Greater Sensitivity. The recent decision of the Planning Decisions Committee comprising Cr Wade, Cr Jolly and Cr Crossland on 9th April 2021 to advise VCAT that Council would have issued a refusal for the application at 1–9 Gertrude St, Fitzroy was most welcome.
From right to left: Councillor Sophie Wade, Greg Chenhall and Margaret O’Brien touring Marion Lane.
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VCAT Updates
The FRA Committee has been responding to a number of Permit Applications over the past 6 months alongside other community groups and individuals. These are summarized below.
| Place in Fitzroy |
Yarra Number |
FRA Objected/Presented |
Outcomes or Status |
84–104 Johnston Street
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PL422/2020 |
Yes, Yes |
Council refusal, VCAT refusal |
| 223–229 Johnston Street & 369 Gore Street |
1092/2020 |
Yes, Yes |
Council refusal, VCAT refusal |
| 27–41 Victoria Parade (StV’s) |
PLN20/0567 |
Yes |
Called in by Planning Minister |
| 1–9 Gertrude Street |
PLN20/0566 |
Yes, Yes |
Council refusal, Await VCAT |
2–12 Alexandra Parade
& 592–622 Smith St, Fitzroy North
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PLN19/0845 |
Yes |
Objection lodged |
8–14 Brunswick Street
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PLN19/0238 |
Yes |
Council refusal, Await VCAT |
26–56 Queens Parade
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P1168/2020 |
Yes, Yes |
Council refusal, Await VCAT |
131–143 Smith St
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PLN20/0867 |
Objection lodged |
Await Council |
| 88 Kerr Street |
PLN20/0509 |
Yes, Yes |
Council refusal, Await VCAT |
300 Brunswick Street
(Stone Hotel)
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99/0390.02 |
Yes, Yes |
Council refusal, await VCAT |
| 45 Rose Street (use) |
PLN13/0538.01 |
Objection lodged |
Await Council |
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Rose by the glass!
Residents of Rose Street and surrounds are concerned that the proposed Wine and Pizza Bar at 45 Rose Street will reduce residential amenity given the business hours and bin collection times proposed. Residents are seeking a reduction in the hours of operation. The creeping of the night-time economy into residential areas has been of concern to Council in the past. The Night Time Economy Strategy adopted by Council identifies the need to ensure that residential amenity is protected.
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Graffiti Management in Yarra
Graffiti Management is a complex problem in Yarra and after an in-field quantitative study and city-wide audit (of over 3 years), a new policy has been activated from the beginning of March 2021. FRA members worked with Council on the improved approach. The new approach to graffiti in Yarra can be found in the Graffiti Management Framework 2019 – 2022 https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/services/cleaning-and-maintenance/removing-graffiti
Not only does the policy continue to focus on fast and effective removal for Council Assets and our high-street commercial strips, but it also focuses upon re-introducing private property protection. The policy also focuses on how public murals are protected, but also how Yarra's built heritage can be protected and cleaned. Additionally, images of unwanted/illegal tagging are being collected and stored in a database for sharing with agencies and Victoria Police.
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Yes, find us on the Web!
The FRA has a new website that provides members and friends with an understanding, appreciation and we hope participation in our effort to make Fitzroy and Yarra a liveable, sustainable and equitable suburb and City https://fitzroyresidents.org.au
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Atherton Gardens — Victorian Heritage Registration Proposal
The Fitzroy Residents Association supports the proposed heritage registration for the Atherton Gardens Housing Estate and the FRA is a part of the collective preparing the documentation. The estate was established in the 1960's with the construction and its completion in 1971. The FRA established in 1969 opposed the demolition and the resultant high-rise towers.
The heritage registration application will cover the entire design of the estate; the buildings — construction and placements — within the open spaces around as well as the social and cultural history of the site before demolition. If you are interested in contributing please contact us at info@fitzroyresidents.org.au
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Special Offer — FRA Large Glass Cups now only $5
The FRA 50th anniversary glass is available to members across Fitzroy for only $5 including delivery. One colour only (Turquoise). If you would like to take advantage of this offer and purchase one of more of this FRA memorabilia, please email info@fitzroyresidents.org.au
Contributors: Martin Brennan, Greg Chenhall, Bradley Reynolds
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