Sharon Harrison Councillor for Boulevard Ward

10/06/2026

ANNETTE’S PLACE UPGRADE

Last night Council resolved to approve the final design for the Annette’s Place Upgrade. Council approved the design subject to the following changes:

• removal of the new path connection from the Yarra Main Trail;

• all bike hoops be provided at the River Street side of Annette's Place; and

• include plantings between the existing concrete path and the passive open grassed off-leash dog area.

Council also approved a ban on the riding of bikes through Annette’s Place and the installation of appropriate signage at the entry points on River Street and the Yarra Main Trail.

The two Greens Councillors ignored the safety concerns of park users, including over 100 people who signed a petition opposing a new connection to the Main Yarra Trail which would encourage cyclists to ride through Annette’s Place. Apparently, it would be too much to ask to expect cyclists to dismount and wheel their bikes a short distance.

It’s clear that the Greens preferred to support a new path for cyclists and delivery riders to ride through Annette’s Place in very close proximity to children using the playground.

While the Greens shills are out on social media today claiming that Council has cancelled pram access and disability access, the facts are:

• Council’s website confirms that Annette’s Place is already wheelchair accessible;

• Parents with prams advise that they have no issues accessing Annette’s Place;

• The are multiple other Yarra Trail access points in the area, including just 160m away at 13 River Street; and

• I have been advised by many community members that they no longer walk on the Yarra Trail due to safety issues with speeding cyclists.

The public submission at last night’s Council meeting can be accessed on-line for anyone who would like to understand the issues.
https://www.youtube.com/live/v_Uu5CctWlo?si=Zruo6fcM0F7WWmM1&t=4178

Annette’s Place is a small neighbourhood park. I make no apology for listening to the community, addressing people’s concerns and for prioritizing the safety of park users, particularly young children and the elderly. I look forward to the completion of the upgrade in the coming months.

05/06/2026

COMMENCEMENT OF WORKS AT BRUNSWICK STREET OVAL

It was my privilege to speak at the event to mark the start of the long-awaited works at Brunswick Street Oval last week. Yarra's population is growing and it's great to get these works underway. I look forward to the completion of the project, which will expand the facilities, and will ensure that more women and girls can play sport. Congratulations to the community sporting groups that were the key drivers behind this project.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BKYJ4VxX3/

29/05/2026

COMMUNITY MEETING ON 3 JUNE 2026 RE: PLANNING APPLICATIONS IN RIVERSIDE AND DOONSIDE PRECINCTS

The following Planning Applications have recently been submitted to the Minister for Planning via the Development Facilitation Program (DFP) pathway:
• PA2604312: 43-67 River Street, Richmond (NHP Electrical site)
• PA2604321: 26-34 Doonside Street & 81-95 Burnley Street,
Richmond (Harry the Hirer site)

Further information is available via the Ministerial Permits Register:
https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/planning-approvals/ministerial-permits-register

I am holding a community meeting at 6.00pm on Wednesday 3 June 2026 at Richmond Town Hall. I will be joined by a representative of Council’s Planning Department to update residents about these Planning Applications, including:

• How these Planning Applications will be determined;
• Council’s role as a Referral Authority for Development Facilitation Program Planning Applications; and
• How residents can provide feedback on these Planning Applications.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity for residents to discuss broader developments in the Doonside, Victoria Gardens and Riverside Precincts where significant development is currently underway and planned in the near future.

Please do not hesitate to get in contact with me if you have any questions.

Dr Sharon Harrison
Councillor for Boulevard Ward, City of Yarra
(e) [email protected]

29/04/2026

YARRA DECIDES LAUNCH

On Saturday 2 May Council is launching its Yarra Decides campaign ahead of the November State election.

The Victorian Government has set the City of Yarra a target to grow by 44,000 dwellings over the next 25 years. Council understands the need for more housing in the inner-city and will work with the community and the State to play its part. However:

• Yarra has limited land, ageing assets, and an existing need for more open space and community infrastructure.

• Yarra’s community is calling on the Victorian Government to be involved in decisions that affect them and their City.

• It is important that the Victorian and Federal governments recognise Yarra as a ‘growth council’ and:

• Provide funding to enable the delivery of open space, community infrastructure and services to match the growth
• Release government land that is not being used to the community for open space and community infrastructure
• Ensure adequate, fit for purpose trunk infrastructure is in place to mitigate flood risks and that sufficient, fully accessible transport services are available for the growing population
• Consult genuinely with Council and the community on planning reforms and local developments.

For more information about Council's Advocacy Road May 2025-2029 and the Yarra Decides campaign can be accessed via Council's website: https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/about-us/advocacy

25/04/2026

DRAFT BUDGET 2026/2027

Budget Highlights in Richmond, Abbotsford, Burnley and Cremorne:

• $300k for the construction of the permanent intersection treatment at Coppin Street and Swan Street
• $350k for the construction of the permanent intersection treatment at Coppin Street and Bridge Road
• $300k for the design of an upgrade to Richmond Library
• $500k for the renewal of Annette’s Place
• $125k for LED lights at Citizens Park
• $50k Barkly Gardens park upgrade works (paths)
• $100k for the renewal of pitch at Loughnan Oval at KBR
• $1.225m for the construction of turf and irrigation at Fletcher 1 at KBR
• $25k for the planning and design of a dog fence at Barkly Gardens
• $80k for outdoor exercise equipment at Burnley Park
• $35k for the design of new cricket nets at Burnley Park
• Cremorne civil asset improvements (footpath, kerb and channel, pram crossings) ($300k)
• Cremorne Street streetscape improvements (Improvement works and planning within Cremorne precinct, specifically Cremorne Street) ($200k)
• Intersection treatment - Balmain/Cotter/Church ($50k)
• Wangaratta St Open Space (planning and design of upgrade) ($75k)

25/04/2026

DRAFT BUDGET 2026/2027 - CAPITAL WORKS

Council is investing in a $40m capital works program, prioritising safety, clean streets and parks, and renewing and maintaining key assets.

The capital works program includes:

• $9.3m on new and better parks
• $7.3m on better roads and footpaths (Edinburgh Street and Newry Street in Richmond)
• $1.6m on cycle infrastructure
• $1.1m on better road safety
• $4m more on stormwater and drainage (Stawell Street in Burnley and Park Avenue in Richmond)
• $400,000 to renew equipment at the three Leisure Centres

The asset renewal ratio for 2026/2027 is 1.32 reflecting the elevated renewal program planned for 2026/2027.

Keeping Yarra Cleaner and Greener
• $1.2m on graffiti removal
• $750k on tree planting programs
• $750k new additional funding towards maintenance of garden beds and open spaces

25/04/2026

DRAFT BUDGET 2026/2027

Council has released its Draft Budget 2026/2027.

The backdrop to this budget includes rising inflation, a $10.5 million in cost-shifting by the State government onto Yarra and a $636,000 hit to Yarra from the State government’s Congestion Levy – effectively a tax on commercial parking that hits both Council and property owners with commercial parking.

With waste, construction, insurance, utilities and other costs rising faster than revenue – and with global instability, including conflict in the Middle East, continuing to place inflationary pressure on the economy – we’re budgeting carefully to protect services now while planning to accommodate significant growth – around 44,000 new dwellings by 2050.

Key points:
• Council will absorb rather than pass onto locals the $3.4 million in extra waste costs. We have capped waste charge increases to the rate cap amount of 2.75%. This happening and this has saved Yarra residents $3.4 million in Bin Taxes you otherwise would have had to pay.
• There will be no cuts to services.
• Council is investing in a $40m capital works program, prioritising safety, clean streets and parks, and renewing and maintaining key assets.
• The increase in rates is in line with the 2.75% rates cap.

Tell us what you think about the draft Budget 2026/27 and updated Long-Term Financial Plan before the end of Sunday 17 May 2026 by filling in the Your Say Yarra survey (link below).

You can also speak to us at one of our pop-up events, where you can ask questions and provide your feedback in-person. If you are unable to make one of these, you can register to attend our online information session.

Pop-up Sessions:
• Richmond Library, 415 Church Street, Richmond
10am to 11.30am, Tuesday 28 April 2026

• Collingwood Leisure Centre, 2-28 Turnbull Street, Clifton Hill
9am to 10.30am, Wednesday 29 April 2026

• Bargoonga Nganjin, North Fitzroy Library, 182-186 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North
1.30pm to 3pm, Saturday 9 May 2026

This year's draft Budget focuses on spending where it matters most! Take a look and let us know your thoughts.

20/04/2026

29/03/2026

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL EVENT IN YARRA

With the Comedy Festival now in full swing, I wanted to give a plug to local performer Oliver Hunter whose show will be playing at Trainscendence on Easey St in Collingwood. His show runs from 9th-19th April, 6:45pm-7:45pm.

His show 'It's All Good' talks about the difficulties and frustration of living with a disability. He’s been lucky to have Tom Ballard as the director of the show.
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/oliver-hunter-it-s-all-good/

27/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/187dyyknB4/