Melbourne residents protest ban on drinking alcohol on green strip — The Guardian

In Melbourne, Australia, several dozen people held a peaceful action on the green median strip of Canning Street, protesting against a ban on drinking alcohol there. Participants brought drinks, snacks and picnic equipment despite new local council rules.

As The Guardian reports, the council restored the previous classification of the wide green median strips on Drummond, Rathdowne and Canning streets. As a result, they are no longer considered park areas. The council said the decision was prompted by residents' complaints about noise, rubbish and dangerous behaviour.

Petition against the restrictions

The ban was introduced after a petition submitted by a local resident in August, which collected 29 signatures. At the same time, a petition calling on the council to reverse the ban gained more than 7,707 signatures in several days.

The action, whose participants used the slogan Free the Strip!, was called by Adam Pulford, a Greens Party candidate in the Brunswick electorate. He invited residents to join the peaceful protest. Canning Street resident Rachel Richmond, who also called on people to gather, described the event as the most civilised act of civil disobedience she had taken part in.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Gathering participant Sam Drummond said it was necessary to preserve spaces for socialising outside the home and workplace. According to him, after the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been few places where people can meet in person.

Council prepares a new decision

Local councillor Edward Crosseing, who represents the Carlton North ward, acknowledged that there were genuine complaints about living conditions, including from people living near the Wine Corner Store. At the same time, he said council staff had gone too far by completely banning alcohol consumption, as most people simply have picnics.

Crosseing said he was preparing a draft decision with council staff for an October meeting. He expects the document could restore the green strip's status as an open space and provide separate measures in response to complaints near the Wine Corner Store.

The venue's owner, Steve Misfud-Ellul, said his business had been unfairly blamed for large crowds near the wine bar. Victorian Premier Ben Carroll also responded to the dispute, saying the state authorities would overturn the ban if the local council did not do so.