'Grinch' Melbourne councils crash street parties
Residents are accusing some Melbourne councils of playing Scrooge at Christmas, after they were slugged more than $300 to host festive street parties.
Neighbours are even considering pulling the pin on organised street events because some councils are demanding hefty application fees and insurance bills.
In some municipalities, it can cost residents nearly $300 to host a street party.
Glen Eira Council told residents in Beena Avenue they must pay a $79 road closure fee and obtain public liability insurance of around $200.
Beena Avenue resident Karlee Browning said residents may be forced to cancel their party because they cannot afford to pay the fees.
"They say they are about grass roots community, but we're a small street community and they didn't want to support us," she told Seven News.
"When it comes to getting to know your neighbours, what better way to do it than by having a street party?"
Another resident Betty Radsteak branded the council 'killjoys'.
"They don't seem to want us to have a good time at Christmas," she said.
"We would have a great time getting to know one another."
Poll: Should residents have to pay to hold Christmas street parties?
Glen Eira Mayor Councillor Jamie Hyams told Seven News it's a case of user pays rather than slugging all ratepayers.
"There's about 25 to 30 houses in the street, so they'd be paying about 10 dollars each," he said.
Other councils charging for street parties with Glen Eira include Boroondara and Maribyrnong.
But not all authorities are playing the Christmas Grinch.
Councils waiving the costs include Cardinia, Darebin and Melton, which also offers street party grants to pay for public liability.
President of Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Councillor Bill McArthur said every council has a different policy.
"It all depends on whether a council decides to subsidise on those parties or recover the cost on a fee basis," he said.
"It is at the discretion of each and every council. Some have a war chest bigger than others, and some can be a lot more generous with the community activities they choose to subsidise.
"The last thing we want to see is community activities curtailed but there is a balance that needs to be met."
