CBD Residents 3000 AGM was a lively event

Thursday, September 5 saw Melbourne’s Residents 3000 group hold its annual general meeting (AGM) at the Kelvin Club on Melbourne Place.

Keeping with tradition, Lord Mayor Nick Reece was invited to give an update on Town Hall’s perspective on CBD health. Singer “Piano Man” Alfredo Malabello entertained the 82 members and supporters who attended.

President Rafael Camillo’s report

The President’s Report was circulated to all members prior to the meeting, posted on the website and read with further explanations at the meeting. The report records how Residents 3000 continued to “connect, support and inform” members during the year with a variety of topics, programs and presentations.  

Rafael confirmed that the organisation remains committed to advocating issues that matter to members and supporters with the aim of contributing to residents’ wellbeing and quality of life in the CBD.

Focus during the year was on seven important issues for residents:

• Homelessness
• Medical help for those sleeping rough
• Increasing police presence in the CBD
• Keeping the freeze on late night liquor licences
• Ban commercial e-scooters
• Working directly with police to increase safety in the city
• Continue to work closely with City of Melbourne to clarify and inform policies.

Our Forum 3000s during the year were diverse and relevant to city living:

• August 31, 2023 – AGM with guest speaker Lord Mayor Sally Capp AO 
• October 5, 2023 – Health & Wellbeing in the CBD, update with our local GP clinics, Kieser Collins St, and the City of Melbourne Health Support Services.
• November 2, 2023 – owners’ corporations update with Fawkner May and Building & Facilities Management update with CBD Facility Management.
• December 7, 2023 – Festive Season Celebrations & Residential Property update with Melbourne Boutique Property and end-of-year celebrations with City Precinct.
• February 1, 2024 – Metro Tunnel Project update.
• March 7, 2024 – Alison Leighton, CEO, City of Melbourne.
• April 4, 2024 – Waste & Recycling update – City of Melbourne.
• May 2, 2024 – Community Showcase for local community-oriented groups and social activities, in collaboration with our City of Melbourne Neighbourhood Partner and support from City Precinct.
• June 6, 2024 – Queen Victoria Market redevelopment overview and petition with Friends of QVM group, and Mary Lou Howie.
• July 4, 2024 – Management of City Disruptions (protests) update with City of Melbourne, Victoria Police and State MP David Southwick.
• August 1, 2024 – Looking after our Mental Health with our local GP clinics and mental health professionals, Kieser Collins Street, and the City of Melbourne Health Support Services and our past committee member Dr. Arman Rashid.

Normal AGM matters followed. Twelve new committee members were elected with the executive from last year unchanged. Our treasurer reported a healthy balance sheet thanks to memberships and support from our sponsors.  

At the first committee meeting, the following week, Rafael advised that he will be taking leave of absence to run as a politically independent candidate with Team Morgan, with the name “Residents United to Make Melbourne Safe”. Vice president Dr Sue Saunders will be acting in the president’s role until the election is over.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece’s report 

The Lord Mayor was able to report the clear outcomes from two surveys that were released just a few weeks earlier. He emphasised how local government in general is “closest to the people” and that residents voices were being heard. The latest action to cancel the commercial e-scooters’ contracts was a win for residents.

The recent “Participate Melbourne” survey attracted 4400 submissions. The top three requirements for a more liveable city were:

1. Affordable housing to relieve the homelessness problem
2. Cleaner city – graffiti removal, cleaner streets
3. More trees in the streets and parks

Cr Reece then informed the audience about current actions being taken by the council, to satisfy the three items.  

Almost at the same time, the Annual Victoria Police Community Sentiment Survey 2024 results were released. 

Residents’ top five safety concerns were: 

1. Safety in public places 
2. Safety of my property and possessions 
3. Drugs and alcohol abuse and consequences
4. Road safety and the need to ensure driver responsibility 
5. Serious and organised crime

Residents 3000 has developed an excellent rapport with Victoria Police who now provide a policing status update at each of our monthly meetings.

Safety is a recurring theme in many of the neighbourhoods and is associated with other priorities including cleanliness, better roads and paths, sense of community, support for people experiencing homelessness, and the need for better and greener open spaces. 

Next event – Meet the Candidates for Lord Mayor 

This special event only comes around once every four years. With such a wide and diverse list of candidates this time, it promises to be interesting, informative, entertaining, and not to be missed.

It is an opportunity for residents to be well informed before deciding how to vote.

The date for the event is Thursday, October 3 – 6pm at the Kelvin Club – Melbourne Place. Details are posted on the website residents3000.org.au and reminders will be sent to members and subscribers by email.

Russel Howcroft will be our special guest compère for the presentations and Q&A with the candidates. Russel is a resident of East Melbourne and is thrilled to collaborate with the Residents 3000 community for this important night. Over a long career in media and marketing, Russel has been one of the most prominent voices on the cultural and economic importance of advertising, particularly through his role as a panellist on the ABC TV series Gruen, and is currently host of 3AW Breakfast with Ross & Russel, the #1 breakfast radio show in Melbourne.

This will be a golden opportunity to hear the candidates for Lord Mayor explain their views on important issues for residents of our city, answer questions, take part in discussions, and to meet them afterwards.

The following declared candidates are being invited –

• Arron Wood (Team Wood)
• Gary Morgan (Team Morgan Make Melbourne Safe)
• Greg Bisinella (Voice for Melbourne)
• Mariam Riza (Liberals for Melbourne City)
• Jamal Hakim (Team Hakim)
• Phil Reed (Labor for Melbourne)
• Nicholas Reece (Team Nick Reece)
• Eylem Kim (Animal Justice Party)
• Anthony Koutoufides (Team Kouta)
• Roxane Ingleton (The Greens)

Additional candidates will be invited to join the event as the organisers become aware of their nominations.

Residents 3000 is looking forward to another year where we can play our part in making Melbourne (again) the most liveable city in the world. •