Mayoral candidate Arron Wood’s plan to reignite CBD with business dream team

Arron Wood plans to create a “recovery taskforce” made up of some of Melbourne’s brightest business minds to help drive the city’s economy if he is elected mayor. See who would be on it.

Arron Wood plans to create a ‘recovery taskforce’ made up of some of Melbourne’s brightest business minds to help drive the city’s economy Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Arron Wood plans to create a “recovery taskforce” made up of some of Melbourne’s brightest business minds to help drive the city’s economy if he is elected mayor.

The group, which would consist of leaders from a variety of sectors, will make recommendations to Town Hall on how to make Melbourne more business-friendly and boost economic growth.

“We need to ensure Town Hall is accountable, from the Lord Mayor to the senior executive staff, and we need to get back to a culture focused on serving ratepayers, and ensuring Melbourne is open for business,” Mr Wood said.

“Town Hall has a key role facilitating the growth of businesses within the City of

Melbourne and the Economic Recovery Taskforce will provide a detailed road map of

how we create a more prosperous and productive Melbourne.”

The group will make recommendations to Town Hall on how to make Melbourne more business-friendly and boost economic growth. Picture: Nick Wilson

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Paul Guerra will chair the group.

Other founding members of the taskforce will include prominent restaurateur Chris Lucas, swimwear entrepreneur Erin Deering who is running for deputy mayor on Wood’s ticket, and Hall of Fame footy player Paul Salmon who has forged a career in business since hanging up his boots.

Positions on the taskforce would be voluntary, The Herald Sun understands.

“The Economic Recovery Taskforce will make its reports and recommendations

public so everyone in the community can see exactly what needs to change at Town

Hall to ensure Melbourne gets back in business,” Mr Wood said.

The policy is similar to one announced by Wood’s competitor, incumbent Nick Reece, who has plans for an advisory panel made up of industry leaders dubbed “Melbourne 3000”.

Melbourne 3000 would also be chaired by Mr Guerra.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Paul Guerra will chair the group. Picture: Kit Edwards

In addition to the business panel, Mr Reece recently announced his intention to host a summit, “M2050”, where 1000 Melburnians would be invited to help build a long-term strategy for the city.

Mr Wood blasted the man he hopes to usurp as mayor for dealing in “fantasy”.

“While Nick Reece wants to dream up fantasy projects for his 2050 talkfest, I’m focused on getting the best advice from business leaders to fix the issues that are impacting Melbourne right now,” he said.

Data from the City of Melbourne’s land use census showed nearly fifteen per cent of all establishments in the city were considered “vacant space” as of the most recent reporting year in 2022.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2022, that figure stood at just under seven and a half per cent.