New voices at Southbank3006 and thoughts on council budget

One of the guiding principles of Southbank3006 is a commitment to welcoming new talent onto our operations team with the goal of turning over leadership positions every few years.

We are grateful for years of contributions made by co-founders Trisha Avery and Jannine Pattison who have transitioned away from the committee. In their place, we have gained two talented Southbankers who bring unique skills and perspectives that will be a great asset as we continue to evolve in our advocacy for Southbank.

James Avery has lived and thrived in Southbank for 15 years and contributes to Southbank 3006 through his experience of over four decades of creating, producing and promoting entertainment, events and festivals in Australia and across the globe. The organisations James has worked with include local and international brands such as the City of Melbourne, Franco Dragone Entertainment, AEG, Frontier Touring, Live Nation, Grande Experiences, Universal Studios, Warner Bros., Carols in the Domain, and the Olympic Games. He has managed productions in Australia, China, United Kingdom, United States of America, Singapore, Japan, Korea, South America, Malaysia, New Zealand, Honk Kong, Central Europe, the Philippines, and more.

Roy Byrnes has called Southbank home since 2016 and is passionate about building a stronger community. While we’re more connected than ever, many people are experiencing loneliness on a scale not seen before. Roy is committed to fostering a sense of belonging and connection.

Council’s budget: a step forward

This year’s Council budget is a significant step forward, demonstrating the ability to do more with less. It delivers on key areas that will benefit our community:

Firstly, the budget allocates $70.6 million, a 20 per cent increase in funding, to make the city a safer, cleaner, and refreshed urban environment. The focus on graffiti and safety is essential for both residents and visitors, making Melbourne an enticing place to live. Southbank will be a beneficiary of many of these initiatives.

Secondly, the projected three per cent rate rise will be rebated to all owners, and an additional three per cent will be passed through as a saving on residential waste charges. This rate saving will benefit all residents by reducing pressure on residential rental increases by landlords and providing relief for retailers. Additionally, all pensioner ratepayers in Southbank will benefit from an additional 25 per cent discount. The forecast is that rate increases are likely to be contained between two and 2.5 per cent for the following three years.

Thirdly, the Southbank Undercroft Open Space Project has been “greenlit” with the council committing the funds needed to unlock the federal government’s funding this year. This will ensure the establishment of a major active recreation centre.

Additionally, the Boyd Community Hub project has been funded with $5.3 million for a new library, and funding for the ACCA Forecourt redevelopment is being brought forward this coming year.

For the long term, the council has moved decisively to bring debt levels under control with a plan to reduce borrowings from the current $216 million to $77 million in FY27.

This year’s budget not only focuses on delivering essential council services but also strengthens the underlying financial position enabling Melbourne to grow and innovate in the future. The council should be congratulated for this vital outcome in
its planning. •