A council ban on drinking on the median strip in Canning Street, Carlton, has sparked a peaceful protest featuring punch bowls, chips, and laughter. On a typical spring evening, dozens of picnickers gathered on the grassy median strip on Friday, drinks in hand, to oppose the new regulations.
Background of the Ban
The protest was organized in response to a ban announced by a local bar and bottle shop, the Wine Corner Store, which stated on Instagram that alcohol consumption had been outlawed on the median strips of Drummond, Rathdowne, and Canning Streets in Carlton North. The council reverted to a previous classification of the median strips, which are wider than typical nature strips, meaning they are no longer treated as park spaces. The council cited complaints from residents regarding noise, rubbish, and unsafe behavior as reasons for the ban.
Community Response
The community quickly rallied to preserve a tradition that has lasted for many years. A counter-petition calling for the ban's revocation gathered over 7,707 signatures in just a few days, following an initial petition with 29 signatures submitted by a resident in August.
The protest on Friday was civil and festive. Under the banner of Free the Strip!, Adam Pulford, the Greens candidate for the seat of Brunswick in the upcoming state election, invited people to join him for a peaceful gathering. Attendees mingled, sharing drinks and snacks while discussing the importance of preserving communal spaces.
