Stephen Mayne joins latest Future Melbourne podcast to unpack CBD recovery

The second episode of Hyperlocal News’ new Future Melbourne podcast is now live, with former Melbourne councillor and Crikey founder Stephen Mayne joining the program to discuss the future of the CBD and the economic forces shaping it after the pandemic.

Hosted by publisher and editor Sean Car, the episode takes a closer look at how Melbourne’s central city has changed in the years since COVID, from long lockdowns and shifting work patterns to the rise of hybrid work and the ongoing challenge of bringing people back into the city.

Few cities experienced pandemic disruption quite like Melbourne, and the discussion examines how those changes continue to affect the CBD, with office vacancies still high and foot traffic patterns altered.

Stephen Mayne brings a unique perspective to the conversation, having served on the City of Melbourne council, including as finance chair, while also building a national profile as a Walkley Award-winning journalist, publisher and shareholder activist.

In the episode, he reflects on how the city economy is evolving, what the council can realistically do to support CBD recovery, and what the next chapter for central Melbourne might look like.

The new episode follows last week’s launch of the Future Melbourne podcast, which debuted with Queen Victoria Market chief executive Matt Elliott discussing the future of the historic precinct.

Produced by Hyperlocal News, publisher of CBD News and its sister papers across the City of Melbourne, the podcast aims to create a space for deeper conversations about the major planning, economic and civic issues shaping the municipality.

The series is hosted by Sean Car and supported by Good One Creative, with episodes to be released weekly on Wednesdays.

Future episodes are set to explore a range of major city issues, including Docklands, housing and density, Arden-Macaulay, Fishermans Bend, the Melbourne Arts Precinct, the Yarra River and city safety.

The latest episode featuring Stephen Mayne is available to watch and listen to online now.