_PROPERTY COUNCIL LUNCH – MELBOURNE’S NEXT LORD MAYOR

Last Wednesday at a Property Council of Australia lunch in Victoria, there was a hotly contested debate involving the four prospective candidates for the next Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

The incumbent Robert Doyle presented along with Olivia Ball, Ken Ong and Phil Cleary.

Topics of interest that were debated included:

  • the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment;
  • residential and commercial Council rates;
  • homelessness and the need to provide safe and secure housing for those sleeping rough;
  • a shift in recent times away from commercial development in the CBD with an increased focus on residential development and the need to recapture big businesses;
  • proposed permanent central city built form controls and concern that setbacks for towers above podium level could discourage commercial development.

and not surprisingly the recent demolition of the heritage significant Corkman Irish Pub (pictured below) without planning approval got a mention…

corkman

[It will be interesting to see if the demolition of this heritage building sets the precedent for higher penalties for demolition without approval].

Robert Doyle in his time as Lord Mayor has made positive contributions to the City of Melbourne.  With voting closing this Saturday 22 October 2016, it will be interesting to see next week who is the new Lord Mayor; Robert Doyle or a newcomer.

Enquires to Michael Collie (mjsc@colliepl.com.au) or James Million (jjm@colliepl.com.au).