Carlton hosts councillors

While other local councils were still working remotely last month, the City of Melbourne showed a bit of leadership in February and opened its doors to constituents.

Locals were invited into a committee meeting for tea and snacks with councillors before it began.

The personalities of councillors had a chance to blossom at the informal gathering.

Deputy Lord Mayor, Nick Reece made a beeline for the snacks and was soon hamming it up for the camera while Lord Mayor Sally Capp gathered a crowd for a photoshoot.

“We’re trying something different post-COVID,” she told Inner City News, as locals mingled with councillors in the first gathering without an agenda.

The committee meeting was held in the Connect Building on Swanston St, just a kilometre north of the Town Hall, yet it felt miles away from the formalities of town.

Once a month, a committee meeting will be held outside the CBD with staff and councillors available at 5pm to chat and mingle over a cup of tea.

Peter Sanders, member of the Carlton Residents’ Association, was happy about the new arrangements.

“It’s brilliant because I never go to any meetings but I’m happy here to meet people.”

Officers were promoting the new Carlton Heritage Review and had a large report listing properties that were significant.

Social housing of the ‘80s in Canning and Kay streets, Carlton got a special mention.

The report is available on the internet for those wanting to make submissions.

The next committee meeting “in the regions” will be held in West Melbourne. Locals are invited to attend •