Inner-city locals tell council: housing, green spaces and public transport are key

Housing affordability, homelessness services, a need for more green and open spaces, and better roads and transport options have topped a City of Melbourne survey as the community’s top priorities.

Housing affordability, homelessness services, a need for more green and open spaces, and better roads and transport options have topped a City of Melbourne survey as the community’s top priorities.

The pulse check led by Participate Melbourne was conducted between February 21 and March 31 using in-person events and online portals, returning nearly 4500 responses.

Carlton locals told the council that homelessness services, housing affordability, public safety, support for businesses, jobs and the local economy, cleanliness of public spaces and cultural events were a priority.

East Melbourne residents cited public safety, housing affordability and homelessness services as major issues, and called for more local events to build community spirit.

Parkvillians were concerned about road congestion, better connected public transport, the impact of climate change and the sustainability of local services, the importance of local parks, improving public safety and the need for more community events.

One East Melbourne respondent said, “Creative and cultural events to connect our community are so important as they bring the entire neighbourhood together.”

When broken down by neighbourhood, the survey found affordable housing ranked as a major issue of concern across eight of the 10 areas surveyed.

The need for more community events was a priority across five.

Carlton and Docklands both cited support for local business as a top priority, while Parkville was the only suburb to list climate action and sustainability as a top issue.

In addressing the results at the August 13 Future Melbourne Committee (FMC) meeting, Cr Dr Olivia Ball said, “I hope we are doing something sector leading in this work of constantly checking in with the public”, adding that the survey had achieved “the biggest result in the history of Participate Melbourne.”

The survey prompted at least 290 responses per neighbourhood, with higher density urban areas the most likely to participate.

Some 61 per cent of respondents were women, 33 per cent were born overseas, 25 per cent were aged under 30, and 16 per cent identified as LGBTQIA+, while nearly 12 per cent were local business owners.

The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation was consulted as part of the survey process.

Areas surveyed included Carlton, the CBD, Docklands, East Melbourne, Fishermans Bend, Kensington, North Melbourne, Parkville, Southbank, South Yarra and West Melbourne.

The City of Melbourne plans to conduct regular neighbourhood pulse checks as part of its Neighbourhood Planning Framework to inform future council budgets and the next four-year Council Plan.

Locals can sign up to receive updates when local council surveys are launched. •