City of Melbourne accused of weak City Rd advocacy efforts

The City of Melbourne has come under scrutiny for its “flimsy” approach to advocacy for the City Road Master Plan, which according to some locals, has set a “dangerous” precedent.

At a Future Melbourne Committee (FMC) meeting on August 20, 2024, the council voted to update its budget submission to the Victorian Government for the City Road Master Plan, with the updated version to be prepared for submission by the Lord Mayor in November 2024.

However, only four days after the decision was made, Lord Mayor Nick Reece provided Premier Jacinta Allan with the budget submission.

Following this meeting and the submission to the Premier, the budget submission was not resubmitted in November 2024, and the actions taken in August were deemed sufficient.

However, Southbank News understands that what was submitted had not incorporated the necessary revisions that would have presented a more compelling case to the Victorian Government.

It’s understood that the submission was also premature, with a November submission better aligning with the state government’s budget process.

Southbank News understands that given the state government’s budget constraints, funding is unlikely, however, some within council believe the failure to advocate more comprehensively have further reduced the chances of success.

Following the absence of further funding, at the FMC meeting on June 3, the council voted to consider including the City Road Master Plan in the upcoming development of a new Advocacy and Partnerships Plan, as well as in the State Budget submission process for the 2026–27 Budget.

This outcome has left Southbank Residents’ Association (SRA) president Tony Penna dumbfounded by the council’s process, believing that it has set a “dangerous precedent”.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Penna shared his concerns with the council.

“Did they look in the crystal ball? We can’t help but feel we are being treated like fools,” Mr Penna said. “Is it really normal process for others to arbitrarily override council motions at a whim?”

“A failure to follow through on such an important issue for the Southbank community erodes our trust in this council, and a failure to communicate only accentuates that lack of trust.”

General manager of infrastructure and amenity at the City of Melbourne Rick Kwasek said the decision to provide the documents earlier was due to the Lord Mayor being “fortunate” to secure a meeting with the Premier.

“It was seen as appropriate that the documents we had in place … were suitable to take to the Premier at that time,” he said.

Additionally, Mr Kwasek said that the advocacy and funding proposal being developed would aim to engage Southbank residents more closely in future.

Adopted by the council back in 2016, the original timeline outlined in the City Road Master Plan earmarked full completion by 2025. However, progress on revitalising the state-managed road has been much slower than anticipated.

While the council has delivered on Action 5 of the Master Plan – connecting City Rd to the gardens, thanks to upgrades along Southbank Boulevard and Kavanagh St – the remaining action items remain either partially completed or untouched.

However, progress is being made on the northern undercroft on City Rd due to the Commonwealth committing $4 million as part of its Thriving Suburbs Program, which aims to support local councils and organisations to upgrade essential local infrastructure.

Located under the Kings Way overpass on the northern side of City Rd, the northern undercroft will be transformed into 5000 square metres of public space.

The Lord Mayor told Southbank News that it is “unacceptable” that there was a multi-lane highway in the middle of Australia’s most densely populated suburb.

“It’s crucial that we ease this congestion and turn City Rd into a beautiful high street – like Lygon St or Smith St and other much-loved high streets in Melbourne,” he said.

“I’ve had productive conversations about City Rd at a state and federal level, and I’ll continue to advocate for further investment in our plans to help Southbank reach its full potential.” •