Melbourne is a shadow of its former self

Outgoing Lord Mayor Sally Capp’s irrational, ideological and downright idiotic war on cars has had catastrophic consequences.

Sally Capp’s legacy as lord mayor of Melbourne is one of mediocrity and missed opportunities.

And, that’s the most positive spin one can put on her six-year reign which is set to end prematurely this June.

Sadly, the city she leads has deteriorated – significantly so in some areas.

Melbourne is a shadow of its former self and has not bounced back post-Covid as other capitals have; the CBD remains a depressing scene unless a major event is underway.

Sadly, the city Sally Capp leads has deteriorated. Picture: David Crosling

But the rot had well and truly set in before the madness of six devastating lockdowns courtesy of the Dan Andrews government.

Among Capp’s most destructive mistakes has been the irrational, ideological and downright idiotic war against cars.

In its efforts to rid the city of cars, or at the very least make it unattractive for motorists to venture to the city, the council has expanded little-used bike lanes, reduced speed limits and made street parking difficult and expensive.

The results have been catastrophic and the Capp-led council has been deaf to the pleas of struggling restaurateurs, retailers and other traders calling for the CBD to be more car friendly.

Melbourne’s beautiful, wide boulevards, the good planning of Robert Hoddle in designing a grid system for the city, has been wasted by boneheaded Leftist councillors implementing a raft of measures to accommodate cyclists.

The incompetence has been so consistent that one wonders whether it’s deliberate; Capp has backed an injecting room in the CBD despite the strong objection of residents and retailers and been preoccupied with divisive culture war issues including an anti-Australia Day stance.

To restore Melbourne to its former glory we need a dramatically different approach, and quickly.