Capp pledges “Community Assist”

By Sean Car

Local residents and businesses will be able to nominate safety-related issues to be fixed by the City of Melbourne, if Sally Capp is re-elected as Lord Mayor.

Cr Capp told Southbank News the “Community Assist” program would contribute to the ongoing work to “change the culture” at Town Hall, so that it better engaged with and responded to the needs of residents in particular.

And she said that in her first week, if re-elected, she would get to work in directing the City of Melbourne to start delivering her policies for residents.

“Community Assist will allow residents and businesses to let us know what they want to be fixed as a priority,” Ms Capp said.

“These local safety-related projects might include sections of footpaths and roads in need of repair, new lighting or extra road crossings.”

“Locals will be able to register their requests with an email to a dedicated Community Assist team within the City of Melbourne.”

“Requests will be reviewed every quarter, assessed alongside Town Hall’s priorities, and then funds will be directed to the areas of most need.”

In September, Ms Capp also announced that she would be establishing a resident panel, consisting of the municipality’s resident group presidents, to meet monthly with the City of Melbourne.

Ms Capp first flagged the idea in 2018 at the Southbank Residents’ Association annual general meeting (AGM) and said, if re-elected, she would follow through with the proposal. She said the panel would work similarly to how consultation currently took place with the city’s many business precinct groups.

Southbanker runs with Team Capp

While she won’t be elected to the City of Melbourne from last position on Team Sally Capp’s councillor ticket, Southbank resident Tina Kuek’s (featured image) life of public service is another great story to come out of the incumbent Lord Mayor’s team.

Having worked in public policy for the Victorian and federal governments and the United Nations (UN), Ms Kuek has dedicated her life to public service.

She is also a successful social entrepreneur having founded non-profit organisation, Kazi Victoria, which provides free support to people of migrant and refugee backgrounds to secure professional employment.

In addition, she’s been on the board of a charity to provide clean drinking water to rural communities in Kenya and the executive committee of Girl Guides Victoria.

Tina’s resume also includes one unusual entry – she appeared in the Australian sci-fi movie, Blue World Order! •