Bin tax, bike lanes and Christmas on the agenda as City of Yarra independents unveil ‘common sense’ plan

Big changes are coming for residents in the City of Yarra, with newly-elected independents moving to overturn many key changes brought in by Greens council members over the past four years.

Scrapping the bin tax, embracing Christmas and revamping bicycle lanes are part of wholesale changes planned for the City of Yarra with the newly elected independents “launching a new direction” for the community.

A broad-ranging 35-point motion will be discussed by councillors next week, much of it overturning changes made by the Greens-aligned council over the past four years.

Councillor Stephen Jolly, who was elected mayor after serving 20 years on council, said the planned overhaul was restoring common sense to decision making.

“We promised locals we’d make the changes they wanted and we’re moving fast,’’ he told the Herald Sun.

“It’s only a start but it’s a big start.’’

Cr Jolly is one of six independents on the nine-member council.

New Yarra mayor Stephen Jolly.

Sarah McKenzie is Yarra’s new deputy mayor.

ALP councillor Sarah McKenzie was elected as deputy mayor.

The motion also includes:

• That council to reconsider plans and consult with the state government over a social housing proposal for council-owned land near Collingwood Town Hall, an idea rejected by the Greens.

• Changes to democracy rules including having more meetings and repealing the requirement for residents to lodge questions in advance before council meetings.

More meetings are planned to be held at Richmond Town Hall.

• A review of e-scooter operations in the municipality, including measures such as asking Lime and Neuron to bring in geo-fencing technology to restrict users from parking on footpaths narrower than 1.5m, and to identify council land where the scooters could be parked. The impact of e-scooter operation on people with disabilities is currently the subject of a legal challenge.

• Push forward with the stalled Brunswick St Oval redevelopment.

• Pull back on the controversial removal of angled parking in North Fitzroy.

• Allow for one-hour free parking near Yarra’s activity centres.

Bicycle lanes on Elizabeth St, North Richmond, are set to be overhauled.

Cr Jolly said the controversial bin tax would be scrapped and that Abbotsford residents, who have endured a “trial” since 2019 of fortnightly general waste collections, would have their bins emptied every week.

All Yarra buildings and centres would be adorned with Christmas decorations and already staff at child care centres will be allowed to receive small festive gifts from children and families after the practice was banned last year.

Bike lanes will be reviewed in Coppin St, Richmond, and Elizabeth St, North Richmond, the latter location likely to get narrower lanes and a return of carparking.

Originally published as Bin tax, bike lanes and Christmas on the agenda as City of Yarra independents unveil ‘common sense’ plan