The City of Melbourne looked to build on the momentum of Melbourne’s booming night-time economy, with a focus on attracting more people during the day to work, shop, dine and spend locally. Although Melbourne’s economic recovery has been strong, there is a need to boost the city’s appeal as an all-day destination.

Evening and weekend activity now exceeds pre-pandemic levels, but weekday activity during business hours has not yet recovered fully. Inflation adjusted spending during business hours (8am to 6pm) in May 2023 was eight per cent below May 2019. In May 2023, morning commuter activity (6am to 9am) at Flinders Street was about 60 per cent of the May 2019 amount.

On 27 June 2023, Council endorsed the establishment of the City Economy Advisory Committee. The Committee’s primary role will be to provide advice to Council on challenges and opportunities facing Melbourne’s economy. The Committee will also inform the development of major Council proposals, projects or initiatives that would impact the city economy.

The purpose of establishing the committee is to provide the City of Melbourne with strategic advice on the city’s economy, and in particular, advice that will shape its economic recovery.

The role of the CEAC is to:

• Provide strategic advice to the City of Melbourne on the current opportunities and challenges relevant to the city’s economic recovery, and in particular, the day-time economy.
• Provide advice on major City of Melbourne proposals, projects and initiatives that could impact the city economy.
• Recommend topics for further examination, that could lend themselves to round-table discussions or summits, to explore topics in depth.
• Integrate perspectives and advice drawn from various existing business networks.

Committee members will be expected to: 

• Engage with the City of Melbourne prior to making public comment.
• Declare any conflict of interest.
• Work collaboratively in a positive way.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders as required.
• Demonstrate respectful engagement and behaviour towards others including community members, City of Melbourne officers and other stakeholders.
• Act with integrity, confidentiality, diligence and care.

For the endorsed terms of reference for the City Economy Advisory Committee, please see the Document Library section below.

We’re looking for a diverse group of people with strong connections to industry bodies, small business, major employers and other stakeholder groups to provide advice related to encouraging participation by visitors, office workers, residents and students in the city economy. Committee members will have the capacity to offer strategic advice to City of Melbourne on the challenges and opportunities facing the city economy.

The City of Melbourne will make appointments based on merit, skill, expertise and leadership qualities. The Committee will bring specialist experience and skills, relevant network connections, innovative thinking, and a strong desire to drive economic prosperity in the City of Melbourne.

Members of the committee will be appointed for a term commencing from the first meeting through to 22 September 2024. Meetings will take place at a minimum three times per year.

Applicants need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Have a strong connection to industry bodies, small business, major employers and/or other stakeholder groups.
• Live, work or own a business operating in the City of Melbourne.
• Available to attend a minimum of three meetings per year.