Eighty-four per cent of survey respondents support the draft vision: Melbourne will be Asia Pacific's top choice for talent, investment and opportunity.

The city’s liveability and diversity are seen as natural magnets for talent.

• Melbourne's cultural and social capital, including major events, world-class sporting precincts, independent arts and hospitality.
• First Nations knowledge, strong community networks and the city's history of activism.
• The concentration of expertise in the health, biotech, and design industries.
• Time-zone alignment with Asia and the accessibility of public transport.
• A small number of respondents flagged customer service standards and complex regulations as areas that undermine these strengths.

• Improved safety, cleanliness, and activation of the CBD after dark.
• Housing affordability and transport congestion, which are seen as barriers to attracting and retaining talent and investment.
• Fast-track climate-smart infrastructure.
• Reduce red tape that can affect small businesses.
• Opportunities for broader economic participation beyond the CBD, particularly for outer-suburban and regional commuters.

Eighty-two per cent of survey respondents supported this opportunity.

• Melbourne is seen as having the right foundations for an innovation hub, including strong universities, a growing startup scene, and advanced manufacturing.
• Supporters recommend prioritising research commercialisation, prototype funding, and scaling local IP for export.
• Concerns include high commercial rents, safety in innovation precincts, and over-reliance on international student demand.

Seventy-eight per cent of survey respondents support this opportunity.

• Respondents welcomed efforts to attract talent, highlighting Melbourne's inclusive culture, progressive values, and lifestyle appeal.
• Rising living costs and limited housing options were seen as potential barriers for skilled migrants and interstate graduates.
• Some respondents expressed concern about talent moving to Sydney or Singapore without a stronger, well-marketed value proposition for tech and creative professionals.

Seventy per cent of survey respondents support this opportunity.

• Respondents welcomed the ambition to enliven the city, with vibrancy seen as a driver of economic growth through hospitality, music, festivals, and the night-time economy.
• Respondents called for more pedestrian-only streets, pop-up retail, and support for grassroots cultural activities.
• Feedback also stressed the need for balanced regulation to manage noise and ensure public safety, enabling residents and late-night businesses to coexist.

• Respondents emphasised the need to get the basics right first: safe, clean, and well-lit streets with visible policing, prompt graffiti removal, and reliable waste services.
• Affordable housing and commercial rents were seen as essential to retaining talent and supporting small businesses and start-ups.
• Respondents called for more support for creative and small-business sectors through low-cost studios, co-working spaces, public art, and cultural events that boost foot traffic and local hospitality.

• Create or broker affordable makerspaces, wet labs, and co-working venues.
• Streamline permits and trial “sandbox” regulations for pilot projects.
• Expand micro-grants and seed funding, especially for under-represented founders.
• Strengthen connections between universities, industry, and investors through demo days and shared data platforms.

• Key obstacles included high rents, operating costs, and slow planning approvals.
• Concerns were raised about an uneven playing field favouring large corporates over small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
• Other barriers cited were perceptions of street crime, poor night-time public transport, and lack of transparent evaluation metrics.