Two thirds of the answers to this question spoke directly about the Future Melbourne 2008 Goals and Priorities. These have been included in Part A of this report. This discussion covers the remaining responses.

Overview

Many answers discussed the Future of Melbourne and were in support of achieving the Future Melbourne 2008 goals and priorities. Some people wanted more community involvement in creating a more liveable city. A few people thought that the delivery of goals and priorities should be achieved sooner than 2026, with a few people stating that there should be a focus on the next five or ten years and not the next twenty years. Some people discussed money as a barrier to achieving the goals and priorities and several people thought that it was important for citizens to be more involved in decision-making for the future of Melbourne. Some statements focused on Melbourne staying up to date with trends.

Discussion of answers

Comments about achievement

Many statements focused on the future of Melbourne and creating a world-class city through the achievement of the 2008 goals and priorities. Many statements focused on people’s excitement and encouragement for achieving the goals and priorities in the future.

Melbourne is amazing. Achieving these goals would make it more amazing.

Some people thought that State Government and the community need to be more involved in order to achieve and make the 2008 goals and priorities a reality. Generally, people thought that the more people involved in achievement of these goals the more successful the city will be in becoming a world-class city.

City of Melbourne with sporadic assistance from the State Government are at the front of the pack. We now need to get more players on board.

Involve the community at every level, at every stage possible and focus on improving the lives and livelihoods of everyone - this improves things across all measures.

Some people thought 2026 was a long time to wait and wanted to see the delivery of Goals and Priorities achieved sooner. One statement suggested that more ambition was needed in order to achieve this.

This is very interesting so far - but I would love to see some of the ideas out there implemented for 2018. Why wait until 2026? Thank you.

A few statements focused on money being an obstacle to achievement, however people thought that this should not be a barrier and more cost effective ideas should be explored.

Money should not be a hurdle

I would like to see cost effective ideas to be pushed forward if development and design for the overall project become unrealistic. such as, instead of building a train line from the airport to Footscray, just extend the tram lines south of the airport the extra 5km. greatly reducing the cost and adding additional infrastructure that will help the train line once installed.

Comments about the process

Several people thought that it was important for citizens to have a say and be listened to. Generally, statements focused on people wanting to be more involved in decision-making about the future of Melbourne. Some people thought that this survey was a great way to be involved.

That a plan and this survey is worthwhile! Thanks for asking me for input.

As more and more people live and work in the city you need to make sure you are listening to what we want and need. It's important to remember that we are the ones paying the rates which pay you!! IN all things you are working for us!! Information is the best way. Keep us informed and make informed decisions.

Some statements focused on Melbourne staying up to date with trends by revising the goals and priorities and making sure that they are relevant. One statement suggested that changes should be constant and embraced.

Melbourne 2026 should be constantly revised to stay up to date with current trends. Plans should preserve heritage buildings, and enhance the landscape for living and working spaces.

A couple of statements focused on looking at short-term goals, with a focus on the next five or ten years. This person wanted Melbourne to be so amazing that it inspires the world.

Forget about 2026. That's here already and we are already 20 years behind what we should be doing. We are going to have to do 20 years work in the next 5 just to catch up, and THEN look at the vision for 2026. All the best. I Love the City of Melbourne (mostly) let's make it so amazing that the whole world looks and says "Gee look what they did - let's do that too".