Year three report card

Visit Year three report card: Councillors for highlights from the Councillors.

Melbourne City Council was sworn in on 4 December 2008. Three years on, the Council reports on the highlights of its second year in office.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle

As we reach the three year mark of this Council’s term, Melbourne is booming. By any measure, our enviable lifestyle has a solid grounding in a strong economy. This year the Economist Intelligence Unit bestowed on Melbourne the title of world’s most liveable city, edging out Vienna and Vancouver.

This global reputation brings many benefits to our community. Melbourne is a leading destination for investment, and Council works hard to improve and promote all that’s unique about our city. Arts, sport and other major events imbue our city with an exuberance enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

In the past three years, Council’s prudent financial management has enabled us to make record investments in community infrastructure. Far from resting on our laurels, we are preparing for the forecast population growth – and we are doing so sustainably.

The $25.6 million Swanston St redevelopment is well underway, and the stage one works are already transforming the city centre. The City of Melbourne’s investment is bringing new life to the precinct near RMIT, just as Melbourne Central embarks on a major redevelopment. Elsewhere in the city, Bourke Street has been revitalised with new brands such as Zara, and the redevelopments of Myer and David Jones.

The ripple effect of these investments sees other strips and laneways filled with shoppers, diners and visitors all enjoying Melbourne city life.

In 2011 we have also delivered on a promise to upgrade community facilities and open space right across the municipality. The Boyd School building refurbishment is progressing and a library is due to open mid-year. In Carlton, residents will soon see work begin on improvements to the baths and family resource centre.

Population growth continues to present challenges, and we are proud of our urban design and parks and gardens expertise. Council’s dedicated employees ensure we plan carefully for our future, focussing on climate change adaptation and protecting our trees and parks. We are investing in stormwater harvesting, re-using water in parks and gardens and replacing trees that are dying, among many other sustainability initiatives.

Year round, the City of Melbourne supports imaginative initiatives that bring life to all areas of the city. Our investment in events makes the city a global destination and has a huge spin-off for our economy. Melbourne Spring Fashion Week attracted a record attendance of 100,000 visitors in September. Melbourne Music Week has spread its wings in its second year, with a fantastic program of local and international artists performing in Australia’s live music capital.

Our support for the Spring Racing Carnival and many of the city’s arts festivals and organisations means there’s never a dull day – or night – in Melbourne. It’s essential that city life offers many opportunities for safe and convenient activities.

With city safety high on our agenda, we have developed even stronger partnerships with city businesses, police and the Salvation Army. The initiatives we promoted have shown encouraging results. This year we also organised a high profile road safety campaign with the Transport Accident Commission. A sobering display erected in City Square of the reality of vehicle accidents was intended to bring home to all visitors the shocking impact of the road toll.

We have many partners to thank throughout the year for collaborations such as this one and others focussing on city safety, retail strategies, business support, community services, arts and culture and environmental programs. Working closely with our community and with all councillors, I look forward to a great year for Melbourne in 2012.

Deputy Lord Mayor Susan Riley

The past year proved to be one of Melbourne’s most successful for festivals and major events. Throughout 2011 the City of Melbourne brought life to all parts of the city, from New Year’s Eve right through to the festive season at year’s end.

Our premier events were the high points of the year for many residents and visitors.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) is the city’s most exciting consumer fashion event. With an increased attendance in 2011 of more than 100,000 people, and more than 200 events in the program, MSFW continues to break barriers, making fashion more accessible than ever.

The City of Melbourne was proud to present MSFW in its 17th year. The event successfully activates all our retail strips and increases visitor numbers. Encouraging visitors to explore more established precincts and hidden laneway treasures, MSFW contributes to our unique character – and our reputation  as the world’s most liveable city.

Crucial to our global reputation are the outstanding individuals and organisations who contribute to Melbourne’s environment and community, and who work hard to raise the city’s profile. Each year we present the Melbourne Awards to those who’ve dedicated themselves to improving our city. In 2011 we were delighted to choose Harold Mitchell as Melburnian of the Year.

Our city’s roots spread deep beneath our community, demonstrated by the many individuals who have worked  hard in city businesses for 10 years or more. The City of Melbourne recognises and supports small businesses through a grants program, and each year it’s a privilege to meet the winners of the Lord Mayor’s Commendations – some from businesses spanning several generations. Their legacy is a prosperous, robust and lively city, well prepared for the years to come. 