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EMG News                  Monday   24th November 2025

A word from our President


On Monday 8th December we had the last committee meeting for the year.


Read on for updates on events and committees. 


I hope to see you at one of the event over the next two weeks, but if not, Season Greetings to you, friends, and family and let's catch up in the New Year. 


Cheers for now Greg B

Coming Up       

East Melbourne Group Christmas Drinks

Monday December 22nd from 6pm till 9pm

We have all had a busy year…​

meetings, events, forums, setting up, packing away, rosters, petitions, walk arounds, planning, phonecalls, supporting each other, discussions, traffic warnings, protest marches, street closures, postal deliveries, VCAT sessions.

If you’re in East Melbourne come together for Christmas cheer.


A casual evening of 

Christmas Cheer at The Tippler and Co. 

$46 for Canapés and First Drink

Click here to book East Melbourne Group Christmas Drinks 

Just Been       

Christmas at the Library 

It rained on Saturday 6th December but everyone who attended had a lot of fun at the library. The free BBQ sausages were warm and delicious, the East Melbourne Choir mellifluous, and there plant and cake stalls and much more for all ages .


Committee matters       

Parks and Gardens

Fitzroy Gardens

Progress has been made on the journey to get tables and seats into the gardens. On Wednesday 3 December we met with council management and Cr Camillo to discuss the locations of the proposed furniture. The confirmed areas are: a. Near the Playground b. Near the Dolphin Fountain c. Near the visitor centre/ café

Watch out for your opportunity to support this initiative in the 2026 Pick My Park grant scheme. 


Powlett Reserve

Council has confirmed that the Playground Upgrade project will also be submitted to the “Pick My Park” grant schemes


Garden Club (Library Herb Garden)

The plant stall at the Library Function was a success and will also operate at the Sunday Picnic. 


Yarra Park Master Plan

Over 80 residents attended the emergency meeting on 12 November – It was clear from the turnout and the quality of conversations that Yarra Park is much-loved and its future is of the utmost importance to the East Melbourne community. 

 

Concerns remain that the plan is too broad and lacks adequate protections for park character and that “Event Mode” means expanded or more frequent events that will diminish the park’s amenity, quality, and user access. 

 

The EMG is continuing to work with the MCC and other stakeholders to ensure the concerns of the East Melbourne community are heard and improvements made.

 

Should you have any questions about the Yarra Park Masterplan please contact Parks & Gardens Convener Luke Martin: lukem@shopforshops.com

Heritage and Planning

179-183 Hotham St

The VCAT conclusion was a refusal to grant a permit with a strong emphasis on heritage impact. 

Selected quotes from the ruling: "....The proposal does not set back higher building components so as not to dominate or reduce the prominence of the adjoining significant building......it does not provide a building massing that complements the adjoining built form.,,,,,".

We are pleased with this outcome.


VCAT Compulsory Conference - 86-94 Jolimont St.

The EMG and local residents  attended the VCAT compulsory conference (mediation) on Monday 17th November over the application by Nuvolink for a roof top function centre operating 7 days per week until 1am for 200 people. 


The EMG proposal for an 11pm finish time indoors, 10pm outdoors and a limit of 100 people was rejected by the applicant.

 

A 3 day hearing to determine the matter is now scheduled to commence 28th of January.


After the compulsory conference the applicant has provided amended plans;  a reduction in patron numbers to 150 and a revised acoustic report. 

We are reviewing these changes and talking with other objector parties to see how they want to proceed. 


For further information please contact Greg Bisinella - president@emg.org.au


Magnolia Court

Watching with interest the outcome of the sale process.


Linda Blore welcome to the EMG Committee

Linda has agreed to join the committee. She brings skills from the corporate banking sector and has agreed to take on the role of Treasurer.

New members

Lewis Pierce and Sienna Di Pietro recently joined us. They have an interior design business.

Melbourne Heritage Restoration Fund

This unique program aims to support landowners or occupiers who wish to restore their heritage properties.

More details here

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