This discussion covers the role that people see stakeholders/organisations playing in shaping the city’s future.

Note that some survey respondents raised the issue that they were not aware of who the ‘key’ stakeholders/organisations are. From the answers provided, ‘stakeholder’ was generally interpreted as a representative of the private business sector, with the term ‘organisations’ interpreted as public, private, and/or governmental organisations.

To assist readability, stakeholders/organisations will be referred to as stakeholders.

OVERVIEW

The most common theme in the answers was that stakeholders should play a deeper and more meaningful role in shaping the city’s future through collaboration, engagement and decision-making. Overall, the answers mainly discussed the types of collaboration, levels of engagement and the processes for decision-making that people wanted to see for stakeholders. Many of the survey respondents felt that the stakeholders should contribute to the goals of the city in a more active and supportive way, but that broad community gains should be placed ahead of the narrow interests of private organisations.

COLLABORATION, ENGAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING

There were three main themes discussed in regard to what role people would like to see stakeholders play in shaping the city’s future: types of collaboration; level of engagement and the decision-making processes.

Many people felt that stakeholders should definitely collaborate with shaping the city’s future. A significant number of statements described the type of engagement that should occur, such as the development of a ‘think tank’, engagement with a cross section to foster cross fertilisation of ideas and lateral approaches to problem solving, a committee that has some buy in and engagement with event organisers on an ongoing basis.

Partnerships are really crucial to expand the capacity of the City. Consultation and cross organisational planning is always recommended.

A couple of people called for consensus among stakeholders. Other individual statements included: thoughtful participation for all age groups; the development of parks (i.e. Princes Park and Royal Park) with input from local groups, clubs and universities; empowering local residents to determine planning outcomes for ensuring less over-development; public meetings to keep residents and ratepayers better informed; and, a contribution to the Melbourne State of the Future Index about what indices matter to promote the idea that ‘our future as a city is in our hands’. Another stated that forums such as this have been very inclusive and they were confident that this would continue.

Many people felt that engagement with stakeholders was pivotal in protecting and creating the city’s future. It was suggested that there should be more active involvement through stakeholders’ encouraging widespread engagement with their own constituencies and staff, and it was also stated that deeper listening was needed. This was one comment about consultation levels.

I would like to see a sense of mutual responsibility, respect, autonomy and engagement, which would include active consultation, collaborative co-creation and service delivery in partnership with other non-state, private sector and community actors.

A few people emphasised active involvement for stakeholders and a couple praised the City of Melbourne for what they had already done. It was suggested that stakeholders should have involvement with the development of the plans to ensure timely delivery, and in some cases should partner with The Council in delivery, especially on tough assignments. It was also suggested that The Council should engage with research organisations and have a long-term perspective.

Several people felt that stakeholders should play a role and be party to decision-making, which naturally follows from collaboration and engagement. Some suggested that stakeholders need to help implement as well as be involved in strategic decision-making and be able to make real and meaningful decisions. This was one representative comment.

I think stakeholders and organisations should be involved in key strategic decision-making and then they should help Melbourne to implement those decisions.

Stakeholder contribution to goal achievement

Some comments were made that referred to the achievement of the 2008 Goals. These comments have been grouped under these goals below.

A city for people

Some people felt that stakeholders should contribute to achieving A City for People through facilitating tangible action within the community, such as community gardens at workplaces, and also developers that utilise public spaces contributing to the community through providing social amenities. It was also felt that vulnerable groups could be better supported, such as the homeless and under-represented groups such as women, and Aboriginal people, could be better represented in positions of power.

Discussed extensively in question nine (below), some thought the community should have more say in decision-making. In terms of contributions from professional groups, it was felt that that there could be greater input into areas such as landscape design, urban planning, architecture quality from the likes of architects, artists and relevant academics. Some also thought that standards could be raised in terms of design and sustainable development, delivered into the public realm by stakeholders.

A Creative City

Several people responded positively about the role that the arts and cultural organisations play in creating a vibrant and creative city. Several commented about the need for more space to be provided.

Space is desperately needed for arts, creative and community groups – somehow inexpensive space will need to be found to enable different communities to flourish.

A few people stated that the arts and cultural organisations should lead the creative thinking about the role of the city. Some felt that stakeholders should provide more funding for creative projects. This was one comment.

Stakeholders an (sic) organisations should also funding more creative and arts projects.

A Prosperous City

Several general comments suggested that stakeholders should lead the economic and business development. It was also suggested in a few comments that new approaches should be tried. This was one comment.

I would like to see Chamber of Commerce come up with some future economic scenarios that do not simply involve more of the same. We need to have future economies that not rely solely on growth and more of something, but offer innovation in terms of services, open space retention and use.

A Knowledge City

A few comments were made related to increasing education and knowledge in the city. There was a call for a school in the city and also for there to be more knowledge-based innovations. This was one comment.

As creative innovators responding to enlightened leadership in helping Melbourne to achieve its goals.

An Eco-city

There was a consistent theme in the comments on an eco-city with many people wanting businesses to reduce their impacts on the environment, particularly in the area of climate change impacts. This was one piece of practical advice provided, which outlines ways to achieve the reduced impact outcomes that most are seeking.

You're able to make an impact on our environmental footprint. Look to ecologically sustainable energy production (I mean your supplier) and consumption (switch off your lights). Please sponsor events and organisations like Urban Seed and the Winter Sleep out. Make a difference!

A Connected City

A few diverse comments were made regarding transport. The most common theme was the reduction of car use. This direct call was made to employers.

Employers must stop subsidising car ownership and use into the city. It would be great if tax law didn't encourage it.

Some thought that organisations should lead by example in delivering green outcomes.

Major corporations and buildings in the CBD need to set a better example in terms of being more 'green'.

Broad community gains ahead of business

Many people were concerned about the level of power that stakeholders hold at the expense of the ‘spirit of the city’, citizens, and the future of Melbourne. One person stated:

It depends who those stakeholders are and what role they have! Big developers may be important stakeholders but they shouldn't control or influence planning and building decisions. There must be a balance and mix to those [who] have influence in shaping the future of Melbourne.

Several people focussed on reminding The Council to keep ‘the people’, Melbourne’s citizens at the forefront of decision-making. Several people called for a type of collaboration that would prove effective and prohibit ‘steamrolling’ of private interests (for personal wealth) towards blind profit and capitalism. One person reminded The Council that stakeholders need to become more comfortable with the changes that might be ‘scary’ but are intended to benefit the community, which includes everyone.

Several people suggested though that the city needs more protection from special interest groups that can deliver negative outcomes into the public realm. Generally, these comments were critical of private profits being placed ahead of public good. Several statements reflected the following:

I am concerned about economic stakeholders holding more sway and promoting the agenda of private enterprise over and above lifestyle and other issues.

Several comments suggested that stakeholders should deliver more benefits to the wider community through things such as paying appropriate taxes to help with transport, hospitals, and improving the city; be brave enough to allow unusual projects, start-ups and social enterprise and enhance the cultural stamp of Melbourne as a cosmopolitan city; be willing to invest in the future and not seek immediate popularity gains; and, think about the long-term effects on everybody when making decisions.

Individuals focused on what stakeholders could do suggested: the provision of money and resources to facilitate projects and goals; the use of online and offline communities to equalise the conversation; provide a mandatory commitment and adherence, to help sustainability, and maintain and preserve initiatives with a long term vision; and, have a willingness to action things that support small businesses and local economies, instead of overpowering them.

It is important that stakeholders be encouraged but at the same time restricted to discreet events, developments or services. The City council and State Govt must always retain control of Melbourne's growth on behalf of the community and not allow a coterie of excessively influential stakeholders to railroad the city into poor outcomes designed for their own best interests.

Partnerships with The Council and others

Many people suggested that there should be more partnerships to achieve things in a range of different areas in the community. The majority of these comments were quite general, but most used the term “partnerships” to describe what they thought should be happening. Some used the term “collaboration”. Specific area that were seen as where partnerships could work were park management, pop-up tactical urbanism opportunities, and with organisations such as the Museum. For the most part people discussed partnering with The Council but some went further and suggested a range of different groups working together. This was one person’s description.

I would like to see a sense of mutual responsibility, respect, autonomy and engagement, which would include active consultation, collaborative co-creation and service delivery in partnership with other non-state, private sector and community actors.

Funding

Many comments suggested that organisations can contribute to the city by funding projects. Most of these comments were general in nature but a few were singled out. A few people suggested funding for the arts and education, others suggested young people, infrastructure, new business support and heritage. Support in kind was also suggested, through providing space and mentoring. Big projects were singled out for funding, especially when partnering with The Council, but a few also warned about organisations having direct advantage returned to them because of what they fund. It was suggested by a couple that funding should be general and then distributed rather than being for specific projects. The comment below covered a few of the ideas provided.

Money and resources to facilitate projects and goals. Listening and willingness not to be the driving force behind what gets made, when and who it benefits - recognition that the community at large also plays a significant role in this that shouldn't be downplayed just because a random person may not be able to contribute the same funds as an organisation. To put the betterment of Melbourne ahead of blind profit and capitalism, particularly to the detriment of others.

Role models or leaders

Leadership was discussed in a few different ways. The most common suggestion was that leaders should be innovative and aim high; some suggested that risks should be taken. Others suggested that organisational leaders should be role models and that their actions should speak louder than their words. While a few people suggested that leaders should be seen more and share their plans with the community. This was a suggestion about communicating with the community.

They also need to play an active part in shaping our city. if they have big ideas to be put forth, they should share them with the community as well.

This was one comment suggesting that leaders should be role models.

more of being a true leader, setting the example and not just 'talking the talk'

Role of community groups

Many comments suggested that there should be more collaboration with community organisations. A broad range of groups was suggested; including residents’ groups, Aboriginal groups and not-for-profits or non-government organisations. Other areas suggested were the arts and creative sector, research organisations and a food collaborative. One divergent opinion was that resident action groups had slowed progress by clinging too tightly to the status quo.

Advocacy

Several comments suggested advocating for better outcomes for others, predominantly on behalf of the community. A couple of people suggested that organisations should advocate to deliver The Council’s vision, others for the voiceless, and to achieve new initiatives.

Transparency, ethics needed

There were several comments that generally identified a need, or requested that there should be more transparency, particularly when large organisations contribute money to the community. This was one comment that was similar to a number of other people.

Partnerships with industry leaders especially those with demonstrated ability to deliver should be actively courted where possible. However care must be taken to protect Melbourne against unethical political influence and corruption.

The Importance of others

Many people felt that the role of stakeholders shouldn’t be too large and instead people or the community should have the greatest say. This was one comment that explains this opinion.

Not too big of a role. Instead, I would like stakeholders/organisations responding to community concerns by using their resources to innovate, rather than leading the city.

Other

A large number of people were unsure as to how to answer what role they see stakeholders playing in shaping the future, with many questioning who the key stakeholders are. Some individuals responded with singular answers as follows: support organisations that are the best at what they do; create a greater balance; ask the stakeholders what they can and will contribute to, and share with the people of Melbourne; aspire and celebrate civic values and achievements; and, that stakeholders should play a huge roll but questioned whether The Council would allow them to do so.