The ECHRI Statement of Purpose is enshrined in Para 2 of our Model Rules:

The purposes of the association are to: 

(a)    operate as a not for profit organisation to provide a forum for local residents as members to express their opinions of proposals for developments in the local area; 

(b)   promote the interests and objectives of local residents in relation to proposed developments in the local area; 

(c)    express the opinions of the local community to the City of Yarra Council and its councillors in relation to planning applications, planning approvals and permits affecting the local area;  

(d)   express the opinions of the local community to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal in relation to planning applications, planning approvals and permits affecting the local area;  

(e)    act on behalf of and in the interest of its members and members of the local community generally; 

(f)    have regard to the public interest and the local environment in all aspects of its operations; and 

(g)   undertake what is necessary to advance these purposes.

Our Policy and Procedure Statement –

ECHRI’s prime focus is to encourage development in the East Clifton Hill precinct which respects the existing heritage and community values of the area.

ECHRI generally will seek to address:-

1. Planning applications which undermine the existing heritage and community values of the area
2. Heritage, planning and community issues of interest to the wider East Clifton Hill community, not just to a small group of people, unless the narrower issue has wider significance as well.
3. Issues and perspectives in regard to the relationship between the East Clifton Hill community and Council pertaining especially to heritage, planning and community matters.
4. Issues in the wider Clifton Hill and Yarra Council area that will, or have the potential to, affect heritage, planning and/or community in East Clifton Hill.

ECHRI will generally seek to avoid taking positions on:

1. Individual planning applications where the matters do not have wider heritage or community value 
2. Matters which do not relate to planning and heritage values, such as traffic management, waste management, etc.
3. Highly contentious issues on which it is unable to obtain a clear consensus of opinion amongst its members.
4. Matters of an overt political nature.  ECHRI will make an independent assessment of any issue it seeks to advance.

Any exceptions to this will be decided by the Executive Committee, with reasons clearly articulated and circulated to members.

Procedural Guidelines

Subject to the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) (the Act) and its Rules, ECHRI will be guided by the consensus view of its members.

Where matters of concern to residents are raised, the ECHRI position will be considered by and decided by the Executive Committee. 

Options available to the Executive Committee include:

1. Creating a sub-committee to run a formal campaign,
2. Providing advice to interested parties where it has relevant knowledge and experience,
3. Supporting residents to consider planning issues especially relating to heritage community values,
4. Assisting informal groups or individuals to run their own campaign,
5. Refer issues to other organisations, as appropriate.

If the Executive Committee selects Option A) to run a formal Campaign, it will consult a wider active core group of members and community to gain advice and perspectives, and invite participation in a sub-committee or working group on that specific issue, which would work under the direction of the Executive Committee.

ECHRI may choose, in some instances to liaise with, or provide representatives to, other groups that are pursuing heritage, planning and community issues in the wider Clifton Hill and Yarra Council areas, rather than taking the lead, or forming an individual position on, these types of issues. Such activities must be authorised by the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee operates under the Incorporated Association’s Rules as adopted from time to time at its annual general meeting (and approved under the Act), with a preference as much as possible to reach consensus in making its decisions.

If any member does not agree with a position taken by the Executive Committee, they should:

1. In the first instance raise the concern with the Chair or a committee member, who should ensure the disagreement is considered by the Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee and the member(s) should attempt to resolve the dispute between themselves within 14 days of each becoming aware of the dispute in accordance with the Grievance Procedure set out under the Rules, particularly rule 26 
2. In the absence of a satisfactory outcome, within the time required by rule 26, the parties must follow the procedure in rule 27and attempt to resolve the dispute in good faith by the appointment of a mediator who must follow the procedure set out in rule 28
3. In absence of a satisfactory outcome the member(s) should call a General Meeting or move a motion at ECHRI’s AGM.

ECHRI will seek to be transparent in its activities.  The minutes of the AGM and Executive Committee meetings will be copied to all those in attendance, and published on the ECHRI website.

The Chair will act as the official spokesperson for ECHRI, or in the absence of the Chair, the Deputy Chair, or other such member of the Executive Committee who has been so delegated to speak by the Chair.  In making public statements the designated spokesperson will seek to reflect ECHRI policy and refrain as much as possible from personal opinion. 

As Approved by members at the AGM on 12 November 2024