East Clifton Hill Residents Inc (A01141101)

Our Latest news as of Sunday 10th January, 2026…

  • ECHRI wishes to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of the Aieilo family to the East Clifton Hill community.
    For 58 years they have operated the Flower of Sorrento, our mainstay for fruit, vegetables and groceries and whether it was Joe, Albert or Adam behind the counter there was always a chat and/or a joke to share. Rosie was always at work in the background. Many of us will remember how hard they worked to help the community through the COVID lockdowns.
    We will all miss you and hope that you can maintain your association with Clifton Hill.

  • The ECHRI AGM was held on 13 November, 2025, with all resolutions passed and all current positions on the executive re-elected.

    Following the ECHRI AGM, Cr. Sarah McKenzie, Yarra Bend ward councillor and until recently the Deputy Mayor spoke. Key points were:
    • Council is currently consulting on
      • the next stage of the upgrade to the Quarries Children’s Playground.
      • Stage 3 & 4 on Wellington St, from which feedback has been clear & consistent; the Gold St Primary School has given clear advice on what will not work for them
    • Ramsden St railway crossing bells will be replaced by end of month
    • Relocation of the Quarries Park soccer oval water tank is an issue she is working on. Discussion highlighted that the size of the tank enclosure is much larger than the tank itself and one idea was that until such time as the tank is relocated, the fence could be removed at minimal expense
    • Sarah undertook to investigate the Quarries Park soccer oval
      • the absence of a south side gate to the football ground

      • the lease/licensing arrangements for the soccer club for liquor consumption.
      • the lease/licensing arrangements for use of the facility for the community given the Federal and Council funding intended this purpose.
      • The adequacy of the parking arrangements in the area
    • In regard to the State Government changes to planning, and the threat to heritage protection Sarah advised that Council had written to the Government to ask for more details and has requested an enquiry. 
  • Sarah highlighted achievements from her first year on council, with Council:-
    • understanding the issues of loneliness in the community and how to deal with it – this impacts incidence of graffiti, crime, etc,
    • expanding green open spaces -the impact of canopy cover is being understood better.
    • Committee work, especially the advocacy side and creative thinking. Can we use land or buildings not well used now – for example River Street in Richmond is part of the Council’s 2026 advocacy with the State Government, and she believes is an absolute winner for the community.
    • Electrifying the Collingwood Leisure Centre. 
    • Building relationships with State Government and across councils.
  • Our thanks to Cr McKenzie for making herself available and addressing issues of concern to our local area.
  • In October 2024, ECHRI wrote to the Commonwealth Ombudsman to protest the removal of post boxes in East Clifton Hill by Australia Post. Whilst the Ombudsman has recognised our concerns, it declined to investigate as Australia Post has acted within the terms of its service in response to declining letter volumes, and advised that while Australia Post may consider community feedback, it is not required to do so. Accordingly the Ombudsman has now closed this case. The Ombudsman reply is below, and the full correspondence can be viewed here
PO Ombudsman reply to ECHRI OFFICIAL

a.    Planning and Heritage issues affecting the locality;

b.    Yambla Reserve and the Quarries Park;

c.     Local Activity Centres and State Government policy changes;

See more details here

  • Yambla Reserve and Quarries Park. Many local residents will have noticed recent developments in Yambla St Reserve and Quarries Park.  Sadly, notwithstanding goodwill and an apparent intention to improve local amenities,  there are a number of issues arising from the processes adopted by council and the outcomes achieved. The football ground at Ramsden St Reserve has been entirely re-laid in the past two months and various structures installed, such as a large water tank, along with fencing and areas for mechanical equipment.
    In 2024 Council conducted a consultation about the footprint and broad design of the new Yambla St sports pavilion.  The tender was authorised at the council meeting on 17 Dec 2024.  The designers are apparently working up the final design for completion of the works by the end of 2025
    Council is also proposing to consult about the design for an off-leash dog park beside Yambla St and redevelop Quarries Playground this year.  
    As a group of local residents,  ECHRI would like to see the Master Plan for the park and some consultation on plantings and any more fences/structures/ toilets/pavilions Yarra Council might be thinking about. 
    The new black tank is an unfortunate introduction to the landscape and ECHRI looks forward to seeing plans for landscaping and screening around it
    Residents need to see the detailed proposal, including ancillary uses – fences, car-parking etc – once the consultants have finalised the design.  Ideally this would be displayed in the park on a map and aerial photo with materials, dimensions and landscaping included.  Local residents strongly desire to participate in the process which will result in a community asset being created which will last and be enjoyed for many years. Keep an eye on council’s web page for further details: https://yoursayyarra.com.au/yambla.  We encourage Yarra Council to release the plans at the earliest opportunity.
  • Submission to City of Yarra on their Council Plan for 2025-9
    ECHRI have made a submission to the City of Yarra on their plan for 2025-9.
ECHRI submission on the COY council plan 2025-9
  • History and Heritage of East Clifton Hill – We are collecting historical and heritage items of interest to include in our website in due course. Please get in touch here if you have material you are happy to share.

Our archive of older news stories is available here and includes

  • Proposed State Planning changes
  • Royal Historical Society call to action on proposed State Planning Changes
  • The ECHRI Annual General Meeting was held on 12th November draft minutes are here.
  • Council Elections –
  • Disappearing Aust Posting Boxes!
  • Council Elections – Candidates have responded (from Oct 2024)
  • Analysis of CoY Councillor voting since 2022. (from Sept 2024)
  • Meet candidates in forthcoming Council Elections. (from Sept 2024)
  • Council elections in October 2024 (from Sept 2024)
  • Update on the Removal of Angled Parking on designated bike routes in the City of Yarra. (Sept 2024)