Property Council Speech: recap of some of my key platform themes
This afternoon the Property Council of Australia hosted their “Who will be the next Lord Mayor sundowner?”
Each of the three candidates for Lord Mayor was provided with an opportunity to speak for a short period, followed by questions directly from people in attendance.
Here’s my 6 minute speech …
I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Whadjuk Noongar people, and pay my respects to elders past and present.
Thank you to everyone at the Property Council for inviting us here this afternoon and for putting together your Budget Platform for candidates released last month – your policies align well with my own platform.
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So, it’s not long to go now.
I have run my campaign over the past 4 months in the manner I intend to lead the City. I’ve worked hard, and I’ve been transparent about my ambitions:
I’m 100% committed to the City; full time, full term.
I’m a community representative; not a member of a political party and never will be.
My ambitions lie firmly with Local Government and making Perth the best place possible to live, work, play and study; I’m not lining up for a role in State parliament.
In recent past months I have set out my vision for our City – via social media and my weekly newsletters.
Here’s a recap of some of my key themes.
One: A Plan for Perth
Time and time again I hear about the need for a Plan for Perth.
We don’t have one. But it’s essential to outline where, how and when future infrastructure and projects would be located and connected to evolve our city into a cohesive whole.
A plan maps out where we are heading and provides confidence to the market. It may take a variety of forms but one thing is certain: it must be a collaborative document, made hand in hand with the State Government.
After all, the City’s budget of around $300 million is a fraction of the State’s – we rely on the State to deliver major infrastructure projects: EQ, ECU City Campus, New School in East Perth and the Convention Centre.
The City needs a Lord Mayor who will at all times act in the best interests of our City and work collaboratively with the State - no matter who is in power.
Two: Capital City Planning Committee
If elected Lord Mayor, I would seek to immediately re-engage with the Capital City Planning Committee, which has rarely met in recent years.
We could also work with the WAPC to potentially expand membership so that all key stakeholders are heard.
This is an important forum. Strong collaboration and coordination between the state, local government and the private sector is needed to foster a vibrant and progressive City.
Three: Perth Parking Levy
This has been the subject of a lot of concern over recent years. Moves by the State Government to enhance transparency and changes to allow differential rates and the ability to waive fees provide opportunity.
There are more conversations to be had with the State. If elected Lord Mayor, I am committed to an ongoing constructive dialogue about the Levy.
Four: A 24-Hour City
This doesn’t mean nightclubs and loud music 24 hours a day. It’s about pivoting our City from a Central Business District to a “Central Living District” and “Central Entertainment District”.
It’s about harnessing the impending ECU City Campus, and capitalising on our day and nighttime economy potential
It’s an opportunity for neighbourhoods to foster their own unique nighttime identities.
Speaking of neighbourhoods - Five: A City of Neighbourhoods
City of Perth incentives for our CBD neighbourhood, and perhaps other neighbourhoods in the future, working together with State Government concessions, are essential to kick start residental development in the current construction environment.
But people need to want to live in the City.
The great cities of the world are defined by their great neighbourhoods, their architecture, arts and culture. They are always striving to be better.
Sure, the City currently has neighbourhood place plans. But we need more energy behind this. The core needs greater support. West Perth shouldn’t just be the City’s overflow. “Business As Usual” is not the answer.
And that leads me to Six: We need to Future Proof our City
We need a more strategic approach and greater focus. That’s what my Youth Action Plan and Tech Action Plan are about.
As we move towards the opening of ECU’s City Campus, we need to ensure we are a globally attractive destination for local, national and international students.
Currently Melbourne and Sydney are leading in attracting youth and tech. This is no accident. Melbourne had youth focused plans since the 1990s; and Sydney had a Tech Plan in 2016.
Seven: Arts means business
The transformative power on Cities of harnessing the creative sector has been proven world wide. Look at SOHO New York, Covent Garden in London – or locally the story of renew Newcastle.
As Urbanist Richard Florida says creativity enables urban development: artists move to inner-city areas in search accommodation and studio space. They make a place fun and interesting, which draws others in …
Wouldn't it be great to have a bit more of this in the City? We certainly have vacant space.
Eight: Fixing the fundamentals with Main Street Refresh and Laneway Revitalisation
Many of the key streets in our diverse City neighbourhoods haven’t been refreshed for decades. An people constantly tell me about the need to upgrade City laneways.
That’s why I put up my Main Street refresh and Laneway Revitalisation policies – passed by Council and now underway.
Let’s get some energy behind these initiatives.
Nine: Safety
Safety is fundamental to the liveability of a city.
Policing is obviously a key part of this; but so is activation. A 24-hr City is a safer City.
Ten: Transparency and Good Governance
I am determined to lead a Council and a City that is fully transparent, accountable and run on behalf of all voters.
A City that genuinely listens and acts.
That’s my commitment to the people and businesses of Perth.
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It’s clear that Perth is well placed, but we need to be proactive to harness the moment. We can’t sit back and rest on our laurels.
Perth needs a Lord Mayor who is genuinely focused on the City, its businesses and its residents – not someone whose ambitions lie elsewhere.
Let’s not waste time, seize the moment and vote 1 Sandy Anghie for an Independent, Full Time, Full Term Lord Mayor.
