Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp sets out state election wishlist

MELBOURNE Lord Mayor Sally Capp has set out a 17-point state election wishlist to the major parties three months out from the poll.

MELBOURNE Lord Mayor Sally Capp has set out her state election wishlist to the major parties, including taking back planning powers, creating more open space in central Melbourne and a commitment to start Metro Rail 2.

Cr Capp has laid out 17 questions for party leaders and candidates in inner-Melbourne seats for the Nov­ember 24 poll, three months after her election to the city’s top job.

“These questions represent initiatives that require joint leadership and implementation by state and local governments,” she said.

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“Our list of questions takes into ­account existing City of Melbourne policies and strategies.”

The report says State reform is needed “to improve the most significant challenges facing the municipality”.

The “call to parties” seeks support for one of Cr Capp’s big-ticket election promises — the creation of an ­elevated parkway from Flinders St to Southern Cross stations, based on New York’s High Line linear park.

The High Line in New York City.

Cr Capp is seeking state backing to create more green space in central Melbourne, including legacies from the Metro Rail project at the Arden precinct and a permanent park on Franklin St between Swanston and Victoria Sts.

The document also refers to the next cross-city rail tunnel project.

“Will you seek a clear mandate to commence Metro Rail 2 on an identified route, and complete designs, planning and tenders by 2022?” the document asks.

Planning, building and urban rene­wal in the inner-city comprise many of the questions.

The city is seeking to wrest back control of Westgate Park as part of the Fishermans Bend renewal project, and wants to take back planning powers to approve large projects.

The new North Melbourne Station will kickstart the transformation of the Arden precinct.

And Town Hall wants to take back planning powers to approve large projects. Construction bigger than 25,000 sqm is referred to the Planning Minister, but the city wants to remove that limit or increase it to 50,000 sqm.

The future use of the Melbourne Youth Justice Centre and Parkville Gardens — the old Commonwealth Games village — is on the agenda too.

An oBike discarded along the Yarra River in Melbourne. Picture: Aaron Francis

Calls are also made to help pay for and build safe cycling routes, as well as more regulation of dockless bikes, such as the disastrous oBike scheme, “noting that local government lacks legal authority to regulate”.

The document, developed by Cr Capp and councillors, also calls for climate change target commitments, affordable housing, better student ­accommodation standards, recycling solutions and an integrated transport strategy.

Cr Capp has tabled a motion for council discussion on Tuesday.

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@IanRoyall