At a recent breakfast meeting organised by the Employment and Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), new Mayors or Deputy Mayors of five Inner Melbourne Councils spoke to business representatives and other invited guests about the role they believe Local Government should play in the region’s economic development.
EEDC is a not for profit company which is active in building networks and partnerships between government, business and other peak bodies to promote investment and growth in the Inner Melbourne region. With democracy returned to Melbourne’s inner Cities earlier this year, the newly elected Councils, including Hobson’s Bay, Melbourne, Moreland, Port Phillip and Yarra, serve a population of almost 400,000 people.
“Post amalgamation, all new Councils see the importance of having close links with the business sector,” said Cr Peter McMullin, Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne. “Council is currently investigating and positioning its resources to develop a partnership between the City and business for promoting growth and development. The landscape is wide and changing and includes Council providing a Capital City focus for all Victorian business.”
Mayor of Moreland, Cr Mike Hill, said that amalgamation has moved the centre of gravity of Councils further away from the CBD. He said that it is vital that Melbourne is working closely with surrounding Councils and vice versa. However, Mike Hill warned that the now smaller City of Melbourne is in danger of being left out of the dialogue going on between the larger Councils around it.
Similar to what is occurring elsewhere in the world, he said a strong inner City Council is not always automatic. The next ring of Councils could also succumb to the risk of inner urban decay.
“The major role of the new Councils is to provide leadership and direction in developing a shared vision for the future,” said Cr Liana Thompson, Mayor of Port Phillip. “Any development must fit with the City and be part of that City. There is extensive potential for growth and development but it must be in a form that meets community expectations.”
Cr Brad Matheson, Deputy Mayor at Hobson’s Bay, spoke on his City’s potential to become the economic and urban focal point for Melbourne’s west. Council’s new Economic Development Unit is currently developing a new strategy to maximise further growth, particularly in tourism and the hospitality sector.
Mayor of Yarra, Cr John Sawyer, said that Councils must consider all implications of growth and development. He said that Yarra already has an unemployment level above the national average.
“Proliferation of part time positions, particularly in the entertainment and retail sectors, is creating underemployment,” John Sawyer said. “The issue of ‘have’s’ and ‘have not’s’ must also be considered by all Councils.”
For further information on EEDC contact Simon Pryor, telephone (03) 9658 8537.
