Flag fiasco

Flag fiasco

The City of Melbourne spent $27,000 installing flagpoles and banners at Yarra’s Edge only to remove them within a few months.

The eight flagpoles were installed in December but flags flew for only three days before being taken down due to complaints from residents about the noise the flags made.

The flagpoles were situated very close to the residential towers along Yarra’s Edge.

According to Dianne White, who lives at Tower 4, the sound of the flags rattling was extremely loud, particularly at night.

A City of Melbourne spokesperson confirmed the flags were taken down three days after their installation following the feedback received from residents.

After the flags were taken down the bare poles remained at Yarra’s Edge until February 17 when they too were removed.

There was no consultation with local businesses or residents prior to the installation of the flagpoles.

“I’ve just found it to be an incredible waste of money. Had they taken the time to speak with any of the residents or businesses they would have realised that it would be an issue,” Ms White said.

According to a City of Melbourne spokesperson the flagpoles were installed as part of the Christmas decoration program.

The spokesperson said the program did not involve consultation unless it required the connection of infrastructure to a building.

“The flag poles were installed in the most suitable location available. The height of the poles required more solid footings than would be possible on the wharf structure and were installed out of the main pedestrian pathway,” the spokesperson said.

According to the spokesperson the poles will continue to be used throughout the city as part of the banner and decorations program.

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