Welcome to the February 2023 Edition of FitzTalk

In this issue we cover:

• From the Chair... Rating fight on the cards
• FitzTalk - Sign up for free
• A new Precinct Trial is underway in Palmer and Fleet Streets
• Another mega development is announced - 151-159 Victoria Parade
• Design and Development Overlay update
• Car Parking - Who is really paying?
• What is the 'Bin Tax'?
• New Pubtalk - Rob Adams 'Reflection on Fitzroy' save the date!
• Save the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) 

From the Chair... Rating Fight on the Cards

The year is barely underway and council finances and rating are front and centre for local government. At Yarra’s first council meeting for the year, there was clearly tension about the parlous state of the municipality’s finances. Worthy projects such as the Burnley Golf Course upgrade and the Fitzroy Town Hall were debated given the lack of funding for such costly projects.  Both had been knocked back previously and unfortunately Fitzroy Town Hall was again denied the funding needed to make this a more useable venue.

It also seems a 'bin-tax' is back on the agenda. The last time the 'bin-tax' was on the agenda councillors took to metropolitan media to campaign against the move. Already, the war of words has started with the Herald-Sun (16 Feb) talking about ratepayers being “slugged” and the move being described as “cowardly” and “lazy”.
 
Yarra isn’t alone in struggling to survive in an environment where both the Victorian and NSW state governments have capped rate increases. The ABC reported recently that more than a dozen municipalities in NSW had applied to increase rates above the 3.7% cap imposed in that state (3.5% in Victoria). Tenterfield Shire Council applied for a 104.5% increase to deal with a $5 million debt. Queanbeyan-Palerang Council was seeking a 64% increase while cutting services and imposing higher fees and parking charges.
 
Federal Minister for Local Government Kirsty McBain blamed the NSW government’s rates pegging policy which she said might be “politically popular” but “sets communities up to have to pay more in the long run”. No mention of Victoria by the NSW-based minister. Is there an election in NSW? The Essential Services Commission is responsible for approving rate increases above Victoria’s cap. Its latest statement says that in 2021 no councils in Victoria applied for variation to the cap in the 2021-22 financial year.  Victoria councils have until 31 March to apply for a higher 2023-24 cap.

Free FitzTalk

While full membership of the FRA (with voting rights etc) costs money the regular email newsletter is now free.

This new initiative has a goal of improving connectivity on issues that impact Fitzroy.  The newsletter will now be available to anyone who wishes to subscribe regardless of membership or geographical location.  Rachel Axton, Deputy Chair notes "it is important that our community has access to a residential view of issues that impact Fitzroy and we hope this move will encourage more people to get involved and share their views."

Please forward this to your Fitzroy friends and neighbours!
 
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Our subscribe page is called 'nonprofit' - unfortunately we cannot easily change this. You only need to provide your email address to subscribe (please do not provide your birthday!) and note this data is stored offshore. You also need to verify you are not a robot.

Precinct Trial - Doing Things Differently

Fitzroy neighbourhoods connect in different ways. The FRA has commenced a trial of a new concept where the aim is to enhance community and assist local advocacy.
 
The Palmer Fleet Precinct Working Group has formed with a leader and a goal to seek to improve a neglected neighbourhood which has local as well as state government interest.  The first task of the Precinct Group was to create an initial 'Response' to an architect’s plan for urban design changes in Palmer Street. The area is close to the Carlton Gardens and is a ten-minute walk to Parliament.
 
The 'Response' was shared with Langridge Ward Councillors, neighbours, and the proponent. The Response has many suggestions and further work is expected over the next few months.  A street meeting arranged by Councillor Jolly on 7 February 2023, saw 40 people turn up to discuss urban design and related issues. 
 
This trial is very important given the history and diversity of this part of Fitzroy. It has already bought together FRA member and FRA non-member residents (including those renting in public and private properties).  The precinct covers Little Hanover to Palmer Streets (from Brunswick to Nicholson Street). Precinct residents and FRA representatives plan to ask for a further meeting with Councillors in late March.

Planning Developments - 151-159 Victoria Parade

Plans for a nine-level monster development on the old service station site at the corner of George Street and Victoria Parade have brought residents in South Fitzroy together in opposition. The proposal that the developer describes as a ‘medical centre’ completely dwarfs surrounding heritage buildings and is twice the maximum height proposed in Yarra Council’s approved Design and Development overlay for the area. Residents agreed the building was aggressive with hard and angular frontage onto both streets and covering the entire site. At a meeting of 30 residents it was resolved to oppose the over-development of the site for what they felt was a building of no architectural merit.
 
At the residents meeting FRA Chair Michael Spencer outlined the development issues facing the precinct with each corner on Victoria Parade now a scene of contest as developers seek to mirror the cold and lifeless facades on the south side of Victoria Parade. In addition, the South Smith Street residents’ group has been battling developers seeking to extend the barren canyons and wind tunnels of South Collingwood into Smith Street. FRA Deputy Chair Rachel Axton briefed the meeting on the proposals and highlighted a series of deficiencies. She listed size, lack of setback, sharp corners, overshadowing of neighbouring houses and traffic as early observations. Others highlighted the proposal had no relationship with the surrounding residential and heritage overlays. Rachel also drew attention to the proposal seeking to convert land zoned neighbourhood residential to commercial use.
 
The meeting resolved to continue work preparing objections. Residents will consult their neighbours and the meeting showed a clear determination within the precinct to ensure any development of the site was in keeping with the heritage and residential nature of the surrounding area. Many of the meeting participants had been active in the former South Fitzroy Preservation Group formed to oppose the ACU development on the corner of Napier Street and Victoria Parade.

If you would like a copy of the FRA Objection you may email info@fitzroyresidents.org.au or if you wish to log your own objection you may do so on the Yarra Planning Permit site.

There are no further updates on 235 Napier Street and 40-44 Smith Street.

Design and Development Overlays - What is Happening?

The Design and Development Overlays (DDOs) covering a large part of Fitzroy were submitted to the Minister for consideration in December 2022.  Since then, we haven't heard much.

There is real urgency in relation to these DDOs.  Back in August 2021 the original DDOs went before the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) under the delegation from the Minister of Planning, nine interim DDOs that were requested by Council were considered.  Of these, only four were approved.  While we had hoped for all of them to be approved (as they provide some protection for these areas), we cherish those that we got being DDO30 Smith Street Shops, DDO35 Johnston Street South, DDO36 Fitzroy East and Johnston Street North and DDO37 Smith Street North and South.  

The urgency arises as these DDOs were 'interim' which means that they cease to have effect after 4 March 2023.  

The FRA thanks Councillor Sophie Wade for following up on this in the most recent Council Meeting asking what she could do and what we can do as residents to get this moving.  The Yarra City Council CEO, Sue Wilkinson, advised that she has been following up the Minister for an outcome and at this stage, we just have to wait.  The question is for how long as we only have 2 weeks left!

Car Parking - The Debate of Who is Really Paying

   
Streets Alive Yarra Inc. consider that a car park size is 14m2.  Land in Fitzroy is $11,409 per square metre (per The Age) so an on-street carpark is a Council asset worth $159,726. They also consider that if that asset was leased out at 3% of its value Council would charge $4,791 per year. Rate payers are effectively paying (as a part of their rates) for the ability to park in the area (noting they still need to apply and pay additional annual fees for a permit).  But not all those operating in Fitzroy are being treated equally.
 
All Schools and Not For Profit (NFP) Community Organisations do not pay rates on the sites that they have.  They also get great access to Yarra’s on street car spaces.  The question is whether this is always reasonable?

Yarra City Council's Policy does not distinguish between Private Schools and Public Schools - both get the same treatment.  It also doesn't distinguish between the type of NFP Community Organisation.  There have been instances of For Profit Private Schools selling off their car parks for commercial gain, because they can rely on the 'free' parking and in others the NFP organisations providing car parking but never filling it, and still taking the maximum 20 permits on offer.  

Therefore, residents are subsidising the existence of these organisations in Fitzroy.  Given they do not pay rates or a fee for parking there is not an equal contribution to Council for these services.  The question is whether those organisations which are for profit (i.e. not government schools) and those NFPs that have amassed significant sums, should continue to afford such a great benefit?  Perhaps by adding the word 'government' before 'Schools' in the Policy and in the case of NFPs consideration of the wealth and infrastructure they have, we can make it a little more equitable?

There is no doubt that the existence of these organisations in Fitzroy are important, but should residents support all their fees? Or should it just be for 'Government schools' and those NFPs not able to support parking at a commercial rate? 

The Yarra Council Meeting on 14 February 2023 made it apparent that Yarra has no money for anything bar essential services.  These Schools and NFPs could be charged a commercial fee for their permits, which will either drive funds up for Yarra Council or turn the parking permits over and reduce the shortage of parking across the suburb (be it fee paying or for residents).

Doing things differently to address income shortfalls may help the City deliver on its major approved initiatives and to fund those like the upkeep of the Fitzroy Town Hall.

If you have ideas of how Yarra Council could save or generate more income - why not let them know?

What is the 'Bin Tax'?

In his opening remarks our Chair, Michael Spencer refers to the fact that the 'Bin Tax' is back on the agenda at the Yarra City Council. A Bin Tax is a separate fee from your rates to pay for the cost of the bins and the collection services.  To many this feels like a way to get around the capping of rates.  With rates capped, a waste fee or bin tax is an alternative way to raise additional revenue.

Yarra Council is the last to introduce this as a separate fee, and is likely under pressure to do so, especially given its financial state. 

Back in 2017, the Council tried to introduce this tax and Councillors stood for residents and ensured that it did not pass.  It now looks like we are in for another feisty debate in March 2023.  Council have advised that "separating waste service charges from general rates" is on the agenda, but it comes with a note that "Council is not considering the introduction of a new tax" rather that "separating what residents pay for waste services from the general rates and listing this as a separate line item on their rates notice allows Council to be more transparent". 

The question is whether once separated will it remain under the 3.5% rate cap or whether the combined bin tax and rates will exceed the rate cap?  Another question is whether those exempt from paying rates will they need to pay this bin tax?  

The Yarra Residents Collective, are also cynical about Council's motivation and have started a petition to 'Stop the Yarra Bin Tax'.  With almost 400 signatures at the time of drafting this article, it is no doubt that a show down is coming. 

If you would like to add your voice to this petition, you can find the details here.

Upcoming PubTalk - Rob Adams 'Reflections on Fitzroy'- 27 March 2023

   
Multi-award-winning architect and urban designer Rob Adams will kick-off our series of 2023 PubTalks on Monday 27 March 2023. City Architect for the City of Melbourne and Fitzroy local, Rob spent lockdown wandering the streets of the burb. Unlike most of us though, Rob recorded his reflections on what he saw in terms of architecture and urban design.
 
Join Rob for this multi-media reflection on contemporary Fitzroy. Then, after Rob’s talk, join the conversation on FRA’s Vision 2035. Over the next two years, through conversations with residents, we will build a vision statement for how we would like Fitzroy to be, to look and to feel in 2035. This will provide the basis for FRAs 2025 – 2030 strategic plan.
 
Also joining us for this first reflection on Vision 2035 will be Professor John Stanley and Assoc. Professor Janet Stanley whose book, How Great Cities Happen, has just entered its second edition. As well as examining issues like transportation, the book considers the impacts of climate change and affordable housing.
 
Lock-in Monday 27 March 6.00pm to 8.00pm. We will send details on venue and how to reserve your spot next week.

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre - Needs Your Assistance

  
As reported by ABC News, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is running an urgent appeal to raise funds, as the ASRC is in danger of closure by the end of March due to the downturn in donations experienced through the Covid 19 pandemic, and the increases in inflation and cost of living crisis, which both increase costs and decrease donations.

For 21 years, the ASRC have been a lifeline for people seeking asylum. Fitzroy has a long and proud record of supporting refugees and asylum seekers and the organisations who act for them.
 
To make a donation or learn more about the ASRC visit their website or call 1300 692 772 (1300 MYASRC).

Many thanks to the Contributors of this issue:
Michael Spencer, Glen McCallum, Rachel Axton and Greg Chenhall