Comrades,

Last Tuesday's Council meeting saw up to 100 local residents attend in another example of the growing grassroots democracy coming back to Richmond Town Hall after years of Kennettism and the aftereffects of Kennettism.

A small taste of the bigger mobilisation to come in the June meeting came with 4 children and four adults attending on the child care crisis, especially for 0-3 year olds. They asked questions during public question time about Yarra's response to this crisis, using the Port Philip Council's recent serious cash injection (under community pressure) as a model to follow.

Next month many more children and parents and carers will attend to keep up the pressure to spend on child care in this years budget.

Other residents attended on the issue of Victoria Park issue, concerned with the changes to the Master Plan that mean that only some of the perimeter wall will come down. They were also angry at the consultation around the issue, as many locals were not told about the changes. A motion was passed to support the revised Master Plan, with the exeption of the Ryder Stand which would require more community consultation. One resident questioned the secret negotiations between Collingwood Football Club management and our CEO and Mayor. Like me, they feel, the public pressure on Collingwood is what will ultimately lead to them coming up with a decent offer.

Council voted to keep Fitzroy Pool open all year, a great victory for local activism. The three main blows reigned on Yarra by the Kennett (closure of Fitzroy High, Richmond Secondary College and Fitzroy Pool) were all ultimately defeated - what a great example of the strength of community mobilisation in our area!

I lost a vote 7-2 (with Green Cllr Kathleen Maltzahn voting with me) over Friday's VCAT hearing on Banco. I wanted Council to instruct our lawyers to argue against Banco being allowed to submit alternative plans. The decision under review on Friday was Council's decision to reject Banco's original plans. If they come up with new plans, they in effect have agreed that we were right to block their original plans and ipso facto there is no case to review! Unfortunately the ALP and rightwing Green Councillors saw it differently.

This weeks Melbourne Times had three great letters from CAG, Paul Mees, and a group of Greeves St, Fitzroy residents support my position in the recent controversy over the Cheese Grater and Planning Department. I am told the Mayor and possibly the Planning Dept management are planning on replying to these letters in next weeks paper. This is great to see, open debate and discussion around serious issues. This is what the public want, I believe.

The budget is being discussed amongst Councillors as we speak. Soon a draft will be out for public consideration and debate. My choice is to vote for the budget, attempt to amend it and then vote for it, or pose an alternative. This will depend on what the majority on Council come up with. Watch this space.

Council admitted to have over 200 contractors in a report I commissioned on the level of OHS law and EBA compliance from contractors. This must be addressed in the future.

The footpath trading and liquor licencing issues were discussed again on Tuesday, at this I am not really sure as to whether a majority of Councillors will listen to residents and get change implemented in terms of new stronger laws and better compliance policed by Council. This will come clear over the next few weeks.

There is much movement in the Hoddle St area over getting better Vic Roads action on safety barriers. I met with the State member and local residents last night on the issue, with another meeting in one week. I am confident there will be a good result for residents.

No action from the State Dept of Human Services in terms of cleaning up and redesigning Noone St laneway in Clifton Hill. Residents are getting very angry and I can smell a public protest in the air if no action is taken soon.

The same goes for another issue on Council that will be either solved or escalated in the next few days.

The Smith St stall is continuing well, every Saturday from 12 noon outside Safeways in Smith St. Come down for a chat and coffee with me and my comrades any Saturday.