Yarra residents fume over new lighting for flags in back street

Residents are again fuming after the City of Yarra’s latest spend on lighting for flags near a recycling centre in the back streets of Clifton Hill.

The Intersex Flag is one of 20 different flags on their list.

The site of the City of Yarra’s newest line-up of flagpoles now has lighting, prompting questions again from residents about the council’s priorities and financial waste.

Nine ground lights were installed on Friday near the council’s Clifton Hill works depot to illuminate the three main flags at the corner of Roseneath and Gray Sts.

Power has been provided by digging a trench for cables from the depot building.

The 6m high flagpoles were erected this year to complete Yarra’s set of 16 – the others at Fitzroy, Collingwood and Richmond Town Halls.

Ground lights installed at the base of the flagpoles site outside Yarra council's Clifton Hill works depot.

Yarra’s flag policy came under scrutiny when it was revealed that flag of a west African republic which does not formally exist was flown every year, and another 14 days were dedicated to a range of LGBTQI causes.

The latest addition over lights at Clifton Hill was described by resident Brian Ackland as a waste of ratepayer money.

“Why does a recycling centre in the back streets of Clifton Hill need flagpoles? Who knows? Madness.’’

The Herald Sun can reveal that the cost of the supply and installation of the four flagpoles totalled $7860.

The flagpoles that were erected outside Yarra council's Clifton Hill depot.

Comment was sought from the council over the cost of the lights.

Yarra has also appointed “flag marshals” from within staff to maintain and ensure the right flags are flown on the right day.

The marshals, to be chosen from current staff, are responsible for maintaining the flags and poles and ensure the right standards are raised, according to council rules.

Yarra flies the flag of the unrecognised Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic every February 27 and also the Free West Papua/Morning Star flag every December 1.

Another 14 days are devoted to a range of LGBTQI causes.

It can also be revealed that residents’ rights to have a say on what flags are flown over their local town halls has been removed.

Instead all decisions about what flags to fly would rest with the council.

“The process which enables community organisations to directly apply to the administration to fly a flag (will) be removed from the policy’’ the council said.

The move to exclude residents’ input over flags follows failed lobbying this year by the Greek community to honour their contribution to the city.

Community leader Peter Razos called for the Greek flag to be flown on March 25, that nation’s Independence Day.

The flagpoles that were erected outside Yarra council's Clifton Hill depot.

Yarra Mayor Edward Crossland outside Richmond Town Hall where the intersex pride flag was being flown.

“We would like our Hellenic flag to be affiliated with the City of Yarra Town Hall,’’ he said.

The application also had the support of Melbourne Greek Orthodox Bishop Kyriakos.

A total of 16 civic flagpoles are now subject to the council’s official rules.

One of the flag marshals’ other responsibilities was ensuring they receive updates from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Commonwealth Flag Network email notification service.

A total of 20 different flags are now flown at the Green-leaning inner city council.

Yarra’s four flag locations fly the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island standards daily but a separate flagpole is used for its range of issues.

A Yarra spokesperson said the council did not employ flag marshals or extra staff to carry out flag-related tasks.

“Like other councils across Victoria, this task is the responsibility of our existing venues staff who are responsible for managing all town hall events, including administration, event coordination, logistics, as well as changing flags when required.

“The process of replacing community flags on flag poles takes approximately five minutes.”

The council’s official flag policy states: “Yarra remains committed to flying flags which align with Council’s values and policies. The flying of flags symbolise identity, ensure people in our community feel heard and seen, promote respect and inclusion for all, raise awareness and create a sense of community pride,’’ the policy said.

Originally published as Yarra residents fume over new lighting for flags in back street