PROTECTING SOUTH YARRA:
Since 1969 we have, on behalf of local residents, been working to enhance and preserve the character and amenity of the City of Melbourne component of South Yarra. Melbourne South Yarra Residents Group Membership is open to all residents within the postocde 3141 or 3004 precinct of the City of Melbourne.
We aim to hold two General meetings per year and engage with members in various campaigns and consultations as the need arises. Membership can be applied for online.
Current Issues
There is a constant flow of issues that have the potential to adversely affect the amenity of living in South Yarra. From the provision of community services, management of parks and gardens to over and inappropriate development of the built form in the area – we as residents must be prepared to take an strong interest in civic issues in order to retain the heritage nature of our locality and preserve the amenity it affords residents and visitors.
Metro Rail
MSYRG are in ongoing dialogue with MetroRail during the construction of Anzac station. The internals of the station are now complete, and recent images are shown below. Here is our latest report, updated 30 October 2024.
Above: Interiors of the new Anzac Station.
Return of Tram to Domain Road.
The tram tracks at the intersection of Domain Road and St Kilda Road have been reinstated, but they will now only allow the tram to cross St Kilda Road and proceed down Park Street (South Melbourne) to Kingsway. So if the tram does return to Domain Road, that is the way it will travel as there is now no option for the tram to head down St Kilda Road to the city.
PTV have stated that any decisions about the return of the tram will only be made after the opening of the new rail line, and then only after passenger movements have been evaluated.
The reality is that the old No. 8 tram was discontinued in 2017, well before work on the station had even begun. The tram became No. 58 and changed its route to go down Park Street (South Melbourne), so the writing was clearly on the wall back then. The planners, however, kept their options open as the draft plans for Anzac (then Domain) Station, dated November 2017, show the tram tracks having the option of going down either Park Street or St Kilda Road. This option was removed rather quietly in about 2020, with no consultation.
MSYRG is monitoring the situation and will make submissions as the opportunity arises.
AGM
2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SUNDAY October 26th 5.30 pm
At IRENE MITCHELL STUDIO, St Martins Youth Arts Centre
28 St Martins Lane, South Yarra
MSYRG AGM MINUTES
Welcome by James Syme (President) who introduced himself and JAC and Janique Lambert and he spoke of her recently coming onto the Committee. He also introduced all Committee members – Jan Armstrong-Conn (Secretary – JAC), David Parker (DP), Gayle Gledhill (GG), Pam Dethbridge (PD) and Janique Lambert (JL). There was an acknowledgment of Country.
The number of members present is 32 and by proxy 0 = 32. Therefore, there is a quorum for the meeting.
1. Apologies: Committee Members Michael Butcher (MB), Phil Lukies (PL), Andrew Bennett (AB) and MSYRG members Angela Berry, Sandra and Andrew Ross, Robin Clements, Donald MacLaren and Georgina and Paul McSweeney
2. Minutes of the AGM of 20th October 2024 were tabled having previously been emailed to members and copies present
The MOTION is: The AGM Minutes of 2024 be accepted: Proposed: JAC, Seconded: DP, CARRIED.
3. James Syme read the Annual Report of the Committee on the activities of the Committee on behalf of MSYRG. (See Appendix 1 for his report)
MOTION that the Annual Report of the Committee on the activities of MSYRG be accepted. Proposed: JS, Seconded: GG, CARRIED.
4. Financial Report
The MSYRG Statement of Income & Expenditure for the year ended 30 June 20245 and the MSYRG Statement by members of the Committee were tabled having previously been emailed to members and copies present.
The MOTION is: the MSYRG Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 30 June 2025 and the MSYRG Statement by members of the committee, be accepted: Proposed: JAC, Seconded: JS, CARRIED.
5. Election of Office Bearers and Committee. All Committee positions including those of Office bearers were declared vacant. There were no nominations from the floor.
6. Position of President: the Secretary Jan Armstrong-Conn ran the Election of President and as there was only one nomination for President, James Syme, he was declared President without a Motion.
7. Remaining Office Bearers
a. As there is one nomination for Vice-President, Phil Lukies, he was declared Vice-President without a Motion. He was an apology today.
b. As there is only one nomination each for Treasurer, Pam Dethridge, & Secretary, Jan Armstrong-Conn they were declared Treasurer and Secretary without a Motion.
8. Committee
MOTION: As per Rule 55 of our Rules we fix the committee numbers (including the Office Bearers) to ten until the AGM of 2026: Proposed: JS, Seconded: JAC, CARRIED.
c. For the Committee: Nominations were received from Michael Butcher, David Parker, Andrew Bennett, Gayle Gledhill and Janique Lambert. The 5 nominees were declared Committee members without a Motion, and they are Michael Butcher, Phil Lukies, David Parker, Andrew Bennett and Janique Lambert.
9. MOTION: That the annual subscription rate until the 2026 AGM be set at $40 per individual or household and there shall be no joining fee. Proposed: JS, Seconded: JAC, CARRIED
10. OTHER BUSINESS- There was no other business tabled.
11. Guest Speaker: Ms Rachel Westaway, our Member for Prahran in the State Legislature. (See Appendix 2 for a copy of her presentation). Rachel is our member for Prahran; after winning the by-election on Saturday 8th February 2025 and her office is located at 183 High St. Prahan (near the corner of High and Chapel St.) She urged members to avail themselves of the services of her and her staff at the office or through her website – Rachel Westaway. Previously Rachel had a distinguished career within corporate, industry, and public service roles. This included as a senior Commonwealth Tribunal member in migration, child support and social security matters and as Victorian Assistant Commissioner for Freedom of Information.
There were also three questions/comments from the floor:
1) With the demolition of houses, who counts how many cars are now coming in and out of the apartments that replaced those houses? Rachel advised that this relates to the congestion and traffic management overall of the suburb which needs to be improved.
2) Living in Leopold St and working as a volunteer at the Botanical Gardens – a resident voiced their support for the return of the #8 tram along Domain Rd. and the return of the 605 buses along Birdwood Ave.
3) Bill Wood – supported increased policing and a recognition of the number of high-speed vehicles that are causing safety concerns on the streets. He would love to see speed limits being actively policed and supports the efforts being vocalised in this area.
13. JS thanked Ms Westaway for attending the MSYRG AGM and sharing her knowledge and insights into the CoM
14. Meeting closed at 1658. Attendees were then invited to join a Meet and Greet in the Foyer
Appendix 1:
Appendix 2:
“There is no doubt that the more members MSYRG has, the more notice is taken of what we do and say. If you are not a financial member, we urge you to become one.”
Visit the South Yarra Portal on the Participate Melbourne website.
The City of Melbourne has created new sites for all the neighbourhoods in the city. Find out what’s happening, learn some history or just read some interesting stories about our area here.
CoRBA
Melbourne South Yarra Residents Group is a member of CoRBA, the Coalition of Residents and Business Associations. They are the peak body for the various resident groups and business associations in the City of Melbourne. You can find out more about their activities by visiting their website by clicking here.