Agenda for Carlton – Melbourne City Council election

The forthcoming City of Melbourne election is an opportunity for residents and local business across our neighbourhoods to identify their priorities that will enhance residential amenity and the viability of local business. 

Too often the big end of town attracts candidate and media attention but maybe we can shift the balance in support of the neighbourhoods. 

The Carlton Residents’ Association (CRA) has initiated with Carlton Inc., our local business association, an opportunity for residents and business owners to Meet the Lord Mayoral Candidates. The meeting will be held at Melbourne Connect, Science Gallery (cnr Swanston and Grattan streets) on Tuesday, October 15 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. This is an opportunity to hear at first hand from the candidates who are seeking to lead the council over the next four years. They will be asked to respond to the issues and interests that confront Carlton residents and local business. Register: carltonresidents.org.au. 

In readiness for the election the CRA in July this year initiated a survey of members. 

As a result of the survey and a committee planning workshop we have developed a set of priorities under the banner – “Agenda for Carlton”. The “Agenda for Carlton” sets out our priorities for the election but importantly reflect our ongoing priorities beyond the election. 

The CRA recognises that Carlton is a diverse suburb in both activity and population. We are well known for our cafes and restaurants, entertainment and cultural, educational, business and retail activities. 

We also have a diverse population of more than 20,000 residents with a median age of 28 years, 55 per cent of whom were born overseas, 48 per cent speaking a language other than English, 82 per cent living in apartments and 68 per cent renting. 

Our priorities include: the protection of our heritage, streetscapes and liveability, street closures for pocket parks, the greening of Pelham St, the closure of Faraday St outside the Kathleen Syme Library as a green public space, the upgrading of Lygon St footpaths and street furniture, support for the Argyle Place Market and festivals, support for micromobility lanes for cycling, food deliveries, skateboarding and roller blading,, support for affordable housing, public and community housing, including the protection of the rights of Housing Victoria tenants, the protection of the World Heritage status of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, the over-development of the World Heritage Environs Area and the relocation of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show to central city locations.

Over the past four decades successive state governments have amended the electoral provisions of the City of Melbourne Act 2001 to create a quasi-CBD council. It has become an embarrassment to all but Spring St. Even the Sydney City Council in 2023 dropped the provision that had granted non-resident property owners and business two votes. 

CRA will continue to seek the reform of the electoral provisions of the City of Melbourne Act including the removal of the two-to-one gerrymander in favour of non-resident property owners and business, the return of the Ward structure and attendance voting and real time disclosure of election donations. 

We enter the election countdown the close of voting on October 25 with 11 teams for the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor positions and 58 candidates seeking to fill the nine councillor positions. This is not reflective of interest but confusion on the role and responsibilities of a Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor and councillor and the experience and expertise that such positions demand.

So, let’s hear what the Lord Mayoral candidates can do for Carlton? •