Fed-up Alphington residents want to secede from Yarra Council

A group of Melbourne ratepayers who say Yarra Council puts bicycles ahead of residents has launched an audacious bid to secede.

Alphington Bowls Club secretary John Grattidge (left) with residents Carol Davies, Glenda Worrell, Sharryn Pottenger, Colin Chipperfield, Julie Nelson and Mike Uwland. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Angry Alphington ratepayers are so annoyed at the City of Yarra they want to secede and become part of neighbouring Darebin council.

The suburban rebellion has been prompted by residents’ concerns over parking limits, lack of services and poor treatment by the Greens-run Yarra.

The southern part of Alphington, including the AMCOR site, is being redeveloped and is growing with an extra 5000 homes, providing about $10m in rates revenue every year.

But a two-hour parking limit on suburban streets is frustrating residents.

Even players at the local bowls club have to leave midgame to move their cars or risk copping a $92 parking ticket.

Resident Sharryn Pottenger said the parking limits meant people couldn’t have visitors stay long.

The community has written letters, called the council and even submitted petitions over the impractical parking, only to get brushed off with references to bicycles and public transport.

“We’re not being listened to. Yarra only wants to talk about bicycles,’’ Ms Pottenger said.

“Why can’t we be a part of Darebin? We pay a lot of rates so this (AMCOR) site must be a gold mine but no one is listening.’’

Ward councillor Stephen Jolly said Alphington residents had been forgotten by Yarra, even though they provided millions of dollars in rates revenue.

Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly raised Alphington residents’ concerns at a meeting this week.

Cr Jolly raised the issue at a council meeting this week, prompting chief executive Sue Wilkinson to agree to a meeting with residents wanting to break away.

“The simple solution is for the council to lift its game,’’ Cr Jolly said.

Ms Pottenger said it made geographical sense for her neighbourhood to be a part of Darebin. The northern part of the suburb, north of Heidelberg Rd, is part of the City of Darebin.

Residents have contacted Northcote MP Kat Theophanous and Local Government Minister Melissa Horne pleading for help to make the secession happen.

Northcote Labor MP Kat Theophanous.

Yarra City Council chief executive Sue Wilkinson.

A Yarra City Council spokesman said the council was committed to ensuring the parking needs of residents, visitors, businesses and community were accommodated in a way that was “clear, fair and transparent’’.

“In June, senior council officers visited the site and met with local residents and members of the Alphington Bowls Club to better understand the impact of current parking restrictions.

“Since then, council has been monitoring the area and there are parking options available, including unrestricted parking on weekends along the park, as well as in neighbouring streets a short walk from the bowls club.

“As a bustling, inner-city municipality, Yarra City Council seeks to balance various competing needs to ensure parking turnover that supports local residents, visitors and businesses.

“Yarra will continue to monitor the site and our priority is to ensure all members of our community have fair and equitable access to public parking.’’