Residents organise against council changes

Residents organise against council changes

By Geoff Spencer

MELBOURNE — North Carlton residents are organising against their expulsion from the City of Melbourne, of which they have been part for more than 100 years.

Following two large public meetings, they have formed the North Carlton Residents Group and elected a steering committee of 12. Residents insist on their right to have democratically elected representatives and are gravely worried about the loss of services and amenities.

The City of Melbourne Bill, which has been passed by state parliament, sacks the 21 councillors of the city. Four appointed commissioners to run the new Melbourne City are expected to take up their posts soon. Business groups provided the Kennett government with lists of possible candidates.

While the 21 dumped councillors seem to have given up the fight against the state government, not so the South Melbourne City Council, which will lose Southbank. It has launched a constitutional challenge to the legislation.

Residents of South Melbourne have been meeting with those of Flemington, Kensington, Port Melbourne and North Carlton to discuss strategies to fight the inner-city boundary changes. Tactics discussed so far include a consumer boycott of the central activities district, a mass protest when the bill is proclaimed and a rates strike.

From GLW issue 125