20th AGM – What a milestone!

We have had a remarkable month and the committee has worked tirelessly to prepare for two events, the 20th AGM and a public forum on Amendment C308.

It was a real honour to preside over our 20th AGM. It also appeared the community too thought it was a worthy night, but I suspect that had more to do with the new Lord Mayor, Sally Capp, being our guest speaker than probably the significance of a 20th AGM.

There was standing room only as everyone packed into the assembly hall at Boyd Community Hub.

It was a delight to listen to the Lord Mayor outline her vision for our city. While bold, and in many ways visionary, we need to start somewhere and it was clear that Sally is focused on getting results.

Sally has certainly hit the ground running and clearly receiving good advice from her advisors.

There is no time for the Lord Mayor to be dragging her feet because before we know it, in only about two years, there will be a new council election.

It is important for Sally to get some wins on the board between now and then and I know that she will be listening closely to what Southbank has to say.

Sally made a promise to me after our meet-the-candidates event to visit the Southbank community again if she was successfully elected Lord Mayor.

Here we are, within eight weeks of the election, and we have had the pleasure to hear from Sally again.

But we didn’t let her off lightly, I opened the floor to questions and there were some passionate residents who really needed some assurances that their issues were known first-hand.

Overall, it was a great night and a special thank you to our committee who all worked diligently to make the night a success.

While we lost three members from our last committee, we have gained two. This will assist greatly with allowing us to continue to work hard for the community.

As you can see, I have remained on the committee and am happy to continue to lead as the president, should the committee deem that fitting at our committee meeting this week.

Two weeks following our AGM, we held a forum to invite the community to find out more about providing feedback to Amendment C308, the second of two “city shaping” amendments that have been advanced in the last couple of years that will have a bearing on the quality of the public realm and the living environment in Southbank.

The SRA committee engaged the same consultant that assisted us with the C270 built form amendment.

We will be making a significant submission to this new proposed amendment.

Overall, it is very positive and our main concerns revolve around the wording.

By the time you read this, there will only be a few days left for the public to have their say on the Participate.Melbourne website. Submissions close on August 10.

Your committee has lots in store for the coming year. If you would like to assist in any way, please reach out as many hands make like work.

Please send an email to [email protected]. If you aren’t yet a member and would like to join, please visit our website southbankresidents.org.au. It only cost $10.