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Southbank meets the candidates

Southbank meets the candidates
Sean Car

A full house of residents and business owners attended the Boyd Community Hub on April 26 to hear the visions of those vying to become Lord Mayor.

Hosted by the Southbank Residents’ Association (SRA), the Southbank Meet the Candidates night was presented by president Tony Penna and moderated by former City of Melbourne councillor Stephen Mayne.

Lord mayoral candidates in attendance included Ken Ong, Cr Rohan Leppert, Sally Capp, Sally Warhaft, Jennifer Yang, Katie Sfetkidis, Gary Morgan, Nathalie Nicole O’Sughrue, Michael Burge and Bruce Poon.

With ballots due to be returned by May 11, the event gave candidates a golden opportunity to present their case for election to locals. While each candidate provided an impressive introduction at the beginning of the forum, it didn’t take long for a gulf to open between those who were across the local issues and those who weren’t.

Some of the more prominent issues candidates were probed on included planning, safety, heritage, open space, street level activation and improving the culture at town hall.

As a current and long-time councillor who is renowned locally for his strong connection with the local community, Greens candidate Rohan Leppert emerged from the evening as the clear people’s favourite.

When moderator Stephen Mayne asked each candidate on the night to name who they were preferencing in the election, it was clear that he was even the pick of his fellow candidates! It’s an advantage that could prove significant.

On every topic canvassed, Cr Leppert’s form shone through. Planning is an issue particularly close to the heart of Southbank and his knowledge and ability to articulate showed why he’s a ready-made lord mayor.

Despite not cutting through with many residents on the night, most in the know believe it’s still Sally Capp’s election to lose. While she presented well and articulated a bold vision based on a strong foundation of expertise and understanding, to many in the room, it all felt a bit rehearsed and lacking in authenticity.

However, with the broad support of the business community and having invested heavily in a sophisticated marketing campaign, most would argue that the former head of the Property Council is still in pole position.

Former councillor and businessman Ken Ong is probably sitting just behind the front row. Having been on the inside and held a strong relationship with many residents in the local area during his time as a councillor and chair of planning, history serves Mr Ong well.

And on more than one occasion on the night, his comments drew praise from locals. In particular, when he told the room that the entire area behind Boyd should be given to the community as open space.

“The original reason for a commercial development was to help fund the Queen Victoria market redevelopment,” he said on the night.

“That is no longer necessary so I think this entire area should be open space.” This naturally drew applause from the audience.

Sally Warhaft also put in an impressive performance. Her vision for cleaning up town hall’s tainted culture and bringing the residents along with her in the process was well articulated and well received.

While it is clear she has grown in confidence over the course of the campaign, the chips are probably stacked against her when it comes to experience and familiarity with voters.

Unfortunately, none of the other candidates really fired much of a shot on the night.

And having thrown his hat in the election ring for town hall on several occasions, Gary Morgan didn’t fail in delivering his vision for “South Melbourne” in his usual, emphatic style.

However, so shocked by all the unfortunate issues in Southbank that he had heard, he delivered the highlight of the night when later referring to Southbank as “the slum of Melbourne”. This was naturally met with nothing but silence enough to hear a pin drop.

Southbank Local News later gave him a chance to clear the air…

“With my comment I referred to Southbank’s ‘wonderful buildings’ – the problem relates to the streets. Busy and noisy with trucks and cars, plus neglected footpaths without any retail ‘culture’,” he said.

“So change is needed – last night we all agreed the ‘Arts Precinct’, to the east, needs to be linked to Southbank. Preferably with open areas – grass, trees and recreation areas.”

“Then the street level needs character. As I left I suggested painting the King St overpass ‘red and white’ with wide stripes – South Melbourne colours!”

“Let us work together in making South Melbourne great again!”

We know what you meant Gary! Not sure about the footy colours though …

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