Newsflash March April 2025
Newsflash Latest Edition!
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)
2025 March April
Download this edition here
A Message from the President
Trish O’Loughlin reflects on the work of 2024 and looks forward to 2025.
page 2
AGM 17 February 2025
A short overview of the outcomes,
page 2
Working Groups
2024 Survey Summary
Why? What do you care about? How are we doing?
page 3
Summary Brief: A Community Call for Affordable Housing in Carlton
Housing is a human right. Yet, in Melbourne, thousands of families, key workers, students, and vulnerable community members are struggling to afford a place to live.
We, the Carlton Residents Association and concerned citizens, stand together to demand real action from the State Government.
We are in an election year—promises must be kept, and we need guarantees that social and affordable housing remains the priority.
page 4
Agenda for Carlton
Linking CRA’s Agenda for Carlton with councillor portfolios which include infrastructure, planning, city economy and business,
community and city services, finance, governance and risk, safety and cleaning, tourism and events, environment, aboriginal Melbourne,
creative and arts, education and innovation.
page 4
CCTV AND YOU
A number of CCTV cameras were installed in Lygon Street in 2024 – your thoughts?
page 5
Emerging issues
Melbourne’s Council elections are undemocratic and need to be fixed
Ellen Sandell, State MP for Melbourne writes.
One resident = one vote is the foundation of our modern democracy. But in the City of Melbourne, while residents get one vote,
businesses get two! That includes national and overseas business owners who may have otherwise never set foot in our city.
page 6
Community News
Late Paul Madden AM, Australia Day Award
Paul Madden was posthumously awarded, Member of the Order of Australia (AM), Australia Day 2025.
Citation: For significant service to the community through social welfare organisations, social policy development and the arts.
page 6
Carlton Conversations May
A look at a Lygon Street and a Lygon Street Icon
Fabio Angele owner of Brunetti Classico speaks at Brunetti.
page 7
Parking in Carlton
New parking control introduced but come things won’t change. You can have your say.
page 8
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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