Moreland welcomes PM's challenge to build cities of the 21st century
30 October 2009
Moreland’s Mayor Lambros Tapinos welcomed Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd's call to elevate sustainable Australian cities to the top of the national agenda.
“All three tiers of Australian government need to work together, along with the private sectors, on this massive task of overhauling our cities and prepare for rapid population growth,” Cr Lambros said.
Moreland is poised to undertake a billion dollar renaissance of its unique 19th century civic centres and streetscapes. The revitalisation will create new enterprises and jobs. The Initiative encompasses a new way of thinking about inner city design and making cities cleaner and less dependent on non-renewable resources.
“Moreland's plans achieve what the PM seeks – cleaner, greener cities, where public transport works well, buildings produce their own energy and emissions are captured, reused and recycled within their neighbourhoods,” said Mayor Tapinos.
Cr Tapinos invited Mr. Rudd to visit Moreland and witness its ‘Coburg Initiative; strategy for urban renewal of one of Melbourne's major inner city activity centres. Coburg is also one of the Federal Government's pilot Solar City projects.
“Mr. Rudd is right when he suggests the best place for all government plans to curb urban sprawl and build better cities is to focus on neighbourhood transport nodes, where major infrastructure exists,” Cr Tapinos said.
“But the level and structure of investment to underwrite such transformations requires federal, state and local partnerships based on effective leadership.”
“Councils cannot deliver this scale of redevelopment alone; federal and state taxes must support public transport, water and power services and the infrastructure that cities require.”
“The Victorian government granted seeding funds to put a partnership framework in place and they are also participants in the Coburg Initiative,” he said. “This next phase is critical.”
“We know from overseas experience that partnerships spanning all levels of government deliver successful urban renewal projects in Europe and England,” the Mayor said.
“It is of critical importance that we achieve climate-smart urban design and that old buildings are essential to the streetscapes and fabric of community,” he said.
Cr Tapinos said the Coburg Initiative addresses the housing needs and jobs for the city’s rapidly growing population.
“Coburg is the perfect litmus test for the federal government to participate and demonstrate its bona fides to the rest of Australia how Mr Rudd’s vision can become a reality,” the Mayor said.
“This is the scenario we want to lay before the PM – take us on; we’re ready.”
