Ratepayers left confused over Greens-led council’s flag choice

A Melbourne council left locals scratching their heads over an unusual flag flying above town halls this week.

The Aromantic flag flying above a Yarra City Council town hall. Picture: Facebook

A Melbourne council has raised eyebrows after raising a flag in honour of a niche minority group.

Yarra City Council locals were left confused after a green, white, grey and black striped flag was erected above the city’s town halls this week.

Mayor Gabrielle de Vietri explained on social media the flag was in honour of the city’s Aromantics.

“Yarra flies the Aromantic flag in recognition of Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week, acknowledging those whose experience of romance is disconnected from normative societal expectations or who experience no romantic attraction,” she said.

“Another way to celebrate the wonderful diversity in Yarra and affirm that all are welcome!”

The Greens-led council unanimously agreed to include Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week in its inaugural Yarra LGBTIQ+ Strategy at a meeting in December.

The resolution was moved just weeks after Yarra became the first Greens majority council in the country after November’s council elections.

The move to fly the Aromantic flag was met with frustration by some ratepayers.

“As a voter and ratepayer I am frustrated that council feels the need to waste time virtue signalling with flags for groups no one’s ever heard of while cutting basic services like recycling collection to fortnightly,” one local said.

“The Greens are entitled to support their fringe political views but they must get the basics right before indulging in this nonsense.

“This is the latest in a pattern of out of touch loopy ideas from a council that seems to have completely lost connection with what residents actually need.”

Ms de Vietri received a mixed response on social media, where she posted a video of the flag flying outside Fitzroy Town Hall.

“The problem with this council and their diversity & inclusion ideas is that they lack diversity … and inclusion,” Zoe Vander said.

“Let’s see how inclusive you are this year and if you will show appreciation for those of us who celebrate Easter and Christmas. I look forward to seeing the festive season on display.”

Sonia Mavridis described the move as a waste of taxpayers money.

“They’ve lost their fricken minds,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything so insanely stupid.”

However others praised the move.

In a statement to the Herald Sun on Thursday, Ms de Vietri said she was proud of the council’s inclusiveness.

“As part of Yarra City’ Council’s commitment to building a healthy and inclusive community, Council unanimously adopted a LGBTIQ+ Strategy in December last year,” she said.

“The strategy includes provisions for flying specific flags at particular times of the year, including flying the Aromantic flag during Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week.

“The decision around which flags to fly followed extensive consultation with Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ community and ensures a broader range of LGBTIQ+ groups are acknowledged and represented throughout the year.

“Yarra is proud of its reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community.”

Yarra City Council, incorporates suburbs including Fitzroy, Abbotsford and Richmond.

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