‘Free the strip’: Beloved drinking spots face crackdown

Enjoying a drink on popular median strips in Carlton will no longer be allowed, leading one small business to hit out at what it says are a handful of “miserable” residents.

The lush green spaces along Canning, Rathdowne and Drummond streets have long been a preferred spot for picnics and catch-ups among inner-northern locals, but this month the City of Yarra was forced to contact police after sustained complaints from residents.

The Wine Corner Store and Bar, which sits on the corner of Princes and Canning streets and opened in 2016, said in an Instagram post this month that police had advised it there were “some new rules regarding the median strip”.

“As of now you are not allowed to drink anywhere on the Canning Street lawn. We will update you when we get more info,” the business said on September 13.

A City of Yarra spokesperson confirmed the change came after complaints from locals about patrons enjoying a drink on the median strip.

“Council has received complaints over several years about amenity impacts associated with people purchasing alcohol from the [Wine Corner] store and consuming it on the median strip, including noise, rubbish and unsafe behaviour,” the spokesperson said.

The council said the extra-wide grassy median strips that sit between two-way roads on Canning, Drummond and Rathdowne streets are now considered a part of the road, and therefore drinking alcohol there is not permitted.

“The legal advice has clarified that the median should be treated as part of the road rather than as a municipal reserve,” the spokesperson said.

“Council has advised the Wine Corner and Victoria Police of this position. Council’s approach is focused on safety and amenity, rather than routinely penalising people who are drinking responsibly.”

Although under the changes, alcohol consumption is banned from Canning, Drummond and Rathdowne streets, drinking in nearby parks, including Curtain Square and Nicholson Street Reserve is allowed.

The Wine Corner shared the update on social media last week, writing, “Basically, due to a few unrelenting miserable neighbours who have been non-stop complaining to the council – an old classification of the space is now being enforced.”

Locals expressed outrage on the Wine Corner Store’s post, including one resident who said it was “extremely disappointing” that a small number of people could influence how businesses and people choose to enjoy local amenities.

Another said, “as a Canning resident, this is the first I have heard of it. Completely outrageous. Where was the community consultation … FREE THE STRIP”.

“This is why we can’t have nice things,” MasterChef judge and author Melissa Leong commented.

One local urged residents to defy the ban, saying, “Everyone needs to come together and keep drinking there. Can’t fine everyone.”

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