Premier Ben Carroll Threatens to Override Carlton North Alcohol Ban

Residents of Carlton North in Melbourne held a peaceful protest on September 25, picnicking and drinking on the median strips of Canning, Drummond, and Rathdowne Streets. The gathering challenged a recent ban on alcohol consumption in these areas, which the local council implemented after receiving complaints regarding noise, rubbish, and unsafe behavior. To enforce the ban, the council reclassified the wide median strips so they are no longer treated as park spaces.

Public opposition to the measure grew rapidly, with a counter-petition gathering over 7,700 signatures. Local councillor Edward Crosling acknowledged amenity concerns but described the outright ban as excessive. He is currently preparing a motion for October to re-classify the areas as open space.

Ben Carroll, the Premier of Victoria, intervened on Friday to support the protesters. He stated that if the local council does not reverse the ban, the state government will do so. Local business owner Steve Misfud-Ellul denied that his retail sales were responsible for the behavior that prompted the council's restrictions.