Council survey: climate action, sustainability a priority in Melbourne’s north-west

Housing affordability, homelessness services, a need for more green and open spaces, and better roads and transport options have topped a City of Melbourne survey as the community’s top priorities.

The pulse check led by Participate Melbourne was conducted between February 21 and March 31 using in person events and online portals, returning nearly 4500 responses.

Kensington locals expressed concern about traffic congestion, calling for better public transport options, more green and open spaces, climate and sustainability measures to address urban heat, cleaner streets and a focus on Indigenous heritage.

North Melbourne followed a city-wide trend of expressing concern about homelessness and housing affordability, while also calling for more green spaces, climate sustainability measures, and a renewed focus on public safety measures.

Parkville locals were concerned about road congestion, a need for better connected public transport, the impact of climate change and the sustainability of local services, the importance of local parks, improving public safety and the need for more community events.

West Melbourne locals said more public transport was needed to deal with the area’s growing population, with traffic congestion and parking access major issues.

Measures to address climate change and improve green spaces, housing affordability and homelessness were also raised as concerns.

A North Melbourne survey respondent said, “I’d love to see more community gardens and more green spaces/edible gardens all around!”

“[I] would love our community to be a leading neighbourhood in its sustainability practices.”

When broken down by neighbourhood, the survey found affordable housing ranked as a major issue of concern across eight of the 10 areas surveyed.

A need for more green spaces was a recurring priority across six areas.

A need for better roads and improved public transport options were a priority for five.

The City of Melbourne’s north-west suburbs were unique within the survey for prioritising a response to climate change and sustainability.

“I hope we are doing something sector leading in this work of constantly checking in with the public,” Cr Dr Olivia Ball said, adding that the survey had achieved “the biggest result in the history of Participate Melbourne”.

The survey prompted at least 290 responses per neighbourhood, with higher density urban areas the most likely to participate.

Some 61 per cent of respondents were women, 33 per cent were born overseas, 25 per cent were aged under 30, 16 per cent identified as LGBTQIA+, while nearly 12 per cent were local business owners.

The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation was consulted as part of the survey process.

Areas surveyed included Carlton, the CBD, Docklands, East Melbourne, Fishermans Bend, Kensington, North Melbourne, Parkville, Southbank, South Yarra and West Melbourne.

The City of Melbourne plans to conduct regular neighbourhood pulse checks as part of its Neighbourhood Planning Framework to inform future council budgets and the next four-year Council Plan.

Locals can sign up to receive updates when local council surveys are launched.

More information is available online at participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au