A year into the council term: the view from Carlton

With the current City of Melbourne council now one year into its term, the Carlton Residents’ Association (CRA) has looked at what’s been working, what hasn’t, and what still needs improvement.

What the council is getting right:

Streets in Carlton are noticeably cleaner.
The Lord Mayor Nick Reece remains approachable and genuinely engaged in community discussions.
Progress is being made on bluestone pavement works.
Graffiti issues are generally addressed promptly.
Implementation of the World Heritage Environs Area (WHEA) is a welcome development.
A consistent police presence is evident across the area.
Incidents of hooning have decreased.

Still on the to-do list:

We’re still waiting for the Free Tram Zone to reach the Melbourne University super stop.
The old Cancer Council site remains an eyesore – it deserves attention.
Cyclists and e-bikes are still using footpaths, putting pedestrians at risk.
It’s unfair that businesses get two votes in council elections while residents get just one – Melbourne is the only capital where this happens.
We’re looking forward to seeing Queensberry St upgraded soon, especially with the West Gate Tunnel opening on the horizon.
Social and affordable housing in Carlton is still more hope than reality.
We remain concerned about the preservation of our heritage buildings.

As we look ahead, the CRA is focused on building on the progress made so far while ensuring that the issues still on the table receive the action they need.