‘Ambitious’ 12-point plan to revive Melbourne

Melbourne City Council is looking for state and federal support to revive the city’s economy, which has been decimated by Covid. See the 12 ambitious proposals.

Melbourne’s resurgence as a city will be dependent on securing support from both state and federal governments ahead of the elections later this year, the city’s council says.

Melbourne City Council has called on both levels of government to throw money behind the besieged CBD, pleading for a major financial boost on projects to get people back.

As part of advocacy priorities, released exclusively to the Herald Sun ahead of a bumper election year, Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the council was “powering ahead with a range of ambitious initiatives”.

“Prior to Covid-19, the City of Melbourne was the engine room of Victoria’s economy – and we must deliver bold ideas to keep the city thriving for decades to come,” Cr Capp said.

Melbourne’s CBD has struggled to bounce back amid the Omicron wave. Picture: Sarah Matray

Under the council’s drastic plan, Dockland’s Central Pier would be urgently demolished by the state government to make way for a temporary floating attraction - like a bar - until a long-term redevelopment can occur.

All levels of government would be asked to redevelop the site and “create a new destination to activate Docklands and become a hub for locals and visitors”.

Melbourne’s “city-shaping” Greenline project, which will connect Birrarung Marr with the North Wharf and provide an “immersive landscape” along 4km of the Yarra River, would also be fast-tracked with staged co-funding from both governments.

Recent polling of residents in electorates neighbouring the city commissioned by the City of Melbourne indicated that 69 per cent of respondents are supportive of Greenline, with 74 per cent likely to visit when it is completed.

Greenline Implementation Plan Flinders Walk renders

A new First Nations Precinct has also been flagged for near Federation Square, with the state asked to stump up funding on a feasibility study for the site.

Cr Capp said those key projects would revitalise the city and ensure it “continues to be a great place to live, work and play”.

“Major projects like Greenline, the reconstruction of Central Pier and the development of a First Nations Precinct at Federation Square would become major drawcards,” she said.

In a bid to bounce back from the Covid slump, the council will pressure the public sector to return to their desks faster, claiming state government office buildings are “not as activated as they should be”.

It also wants the Victorian government to extend stamp duty concessions and exemptions for all CBD properties for at least another 12 months, amid new apartment sales slumping to 30 per cent of pre-Covid levels.

A partnership to attract international students back to Melbourne has also been proposed, with fears not enough has been done to lure prospective pupils, with 47,000 students — enrolled with Victorian education providers — currently studying offshore.

“We must offer them unique experiences, support services and employment pathways to welcome them back in droves,” Cr Capp said.

Meanwhile, an initiative that would link young people with TAFE courses that provide micro-credentials - particularly within the hospitality and entertainment sectors, which are both experiencing “significant skills bottlenecks and labour shortages” is also needed, and ongoing business support would be continued under the council’s wishlist.

It would include the establishment of a city revitalisation program, as well as targeted investment in innovation districts including City North, Arden and Fishermans Bend.

According to the City of Melbourne’s Economic Development Strategy, if action is taken to support business and accelerate new investment, the city can begin a new trend of financial growth including a $150bn economy by 2031 - up from $104bn in 2019.

The figures also revealed that 600,000 jobs could be created by 2031 — up from 497,000 pre Covid, while also achieving a shop vacancy rate of less than five per cent — currently more than 15 per cent — by next year.