Celebration of a milestone but there are more miles that need to be covered!

In 2019 the FRA will recognise the contribution of those who have served and been members of the FRA over the past 50 years. The formation of the FRA in 1969 in response to over-development and the impact on residential amenity, together with what many residents considered an unrepresentative Fitzroy City Council, spurred residents to action.
There have been many campaigns since that time with many successes but there are more to be achieved to ensure the now Yarra City Council responds to the needs of all residents and works for the social, environmental and economic welfare of Fitzroy residents.
Fitzroy has always been a magnet to people wishing to live, work and play in this, Melbourne’s first suburb. The challenge is to get the balance right to ensure a sustainable and liveable Fitzroy.
There are indications that the balance is not right.
We need to ensure a built form that reflects our past and a scale that responds to our future. We need to again oppose over-development that is unsympathetic to our neighbourhoods. We need to protect and enhance our neighbourhoods. We do not oppose greater density that allows more people to live in our suburb but we want them to benefit from a liveable environment.
To this end we do not support becoming a mono night time economy but do support an economy that has diversity and a balance of residential interests and needs as well as those of businesses; businesses that recognise the inter connectedness of their activities and our lives. We will work with our City Council and the State Government to ensure such an outcome.
We hope that during 2019 residents will consider renewing their membership, encourage neighbours and friends to join, participate in activities that will feature our past and contribute to our future planning.