Voices for Melbourne’s comprehensive plan for East Melbourne, Carlton and Parkville

Lord Mayoral candidate Greg Bisinella, who is leading the resident-led campaign Voices for Melbourne, says more pocket parks, greater heritage protection and support for La Mama Theatre are among the key themes of its agenda for the inner-city.

Mr Bisinella, who until recently served as president of East Melbourne residents’ organisation the East Melbourne Group, has been a passionate advocate for preserving the area’s heritage and improving local planning for many years.   

He said he was now switching his efforts to run for Town Hall because he believed the City of Melbourne was better placed with representatives who were “deeply rooted in the neighbourhoods we serve”.

“The Carlton, Parkville and East Melbourne neighbourhoods are an integral piece of the jigsaw that makes up the City of Melbourne,” Mr Bisinella said.

Their unique characteristics and residents and local business demand and deserve improved servicing and support from the City of Melbourne.

Mr Bisinella, who is running alongside candidate for Deputy Lord Mayor and Carlton resident Megan Stevenson, said he wanted to see Faraday St closed off to create a new pocket park outside Kathleen Syme Library.

Among Voices for Melbourne’s other Carlton initiatives are more street closures for pockets parks, visitor parking permits, footpath replacements, more grassed areas for children and support for the iconic La Mama Theatre.

Mr Bisinella said he would like to see the council provide funding to support the continued operation of the theatre, which he described as “a critical cultural institution,” to ensure it remained a hub for creativity and local artists.

The Voices for Melbourne council ticket will be led by grassroots activist and West Melbourne resident Mary Masters in the number one position, while Carlton resident James Robertson will run in the number two spot.

Ms Masters will be no stranger to readers of sibling publication North West City News, with the local mother of two and passionate community activist being central to many grassroots campaigns, namely relating to safety and planning issues surrounding local schools.

She played an integral role in successfully lobbying the state government to reduce the speed limit along Curzon St between North Melbourne Primary School’s two campuses.

She has also been a leading voice advocating for new secondary schools in Docklands and the Arden Precinct, as well as for safety upgrades surrounding Docklands Primary School.

“I work with the community in trying to get better outcomes,” Ms Masters said. “Together, we can build a council that truly reflects the voices of Melbourne.”

Mr Bisinella said heritage protection was central to its policy platform for both Parkville and East Melbourne, as well as planning support, graffiti removal, footpath upgrades and replacement of hazardous tactile tiles.

He’s also pledging to conduct a thorough review of traffic flow and pedestrian safety after major events at the MCG to ensure roads were adequately managed, and residents are not affected by event traffic.

He added that his team would seek reform of the “undemocratic electoral provisions of the City of Melbourne Act 2001”, including the removal of the two votes for non-resident owners and business, the return of a ward structure and attendance voting. •