OUR POLICIES

  • As part of my commitment to tackling homelessness in Melbourne, my vision includes building on two vital initiatives that have shown real potential to make a difference: the 'Make Room' project and Melbourne Zero. These initiatives aim to provide immediate solutions to street homelessness and create long-term pathways to stable housing for those in need.

    1. Expansion of the ‘Make Room’ Initiative

    The 'Make Room' project, pioneered by former Mayor Sally Capp, transforms unused buildings in the heart of Melbourne into temporary supported housing for people experiencing homelessness. This initiative provides a crucial stop-gap for those in urgent need of a safe place to stay while they transition to permanent housing solutions.

    My Plan:

    • Expand the 'Make Room' initiative to refurbish more underutilized buildings across the city.

    • Work with housing agencies and community organizations to provide wraparound services like mental health support, job training, and social services to help residents rebuild their lives.

    "Everyone deserves the dignity of a roof over their head. By expanding 'Make Room,' we’re not just providing shelter—we’re offering a pathway to hope and stability."

    2. Expansion of Melbourne Zero to End Street Homelessness

    Melbourne Zero is a city-wide strategy aimed at ending street homelessness by connecting individuals with housing and support services tailored to their needs. The goal is to bring the number of rough sleepers in Melbourne to zero through coordinated outreach and service delivery.

    My Plan:

    • Expand Melbourne Zero’s reach to cover more areas of the city, ensuring no one is left behind.

    • Increase collaboration between government, non-profits, and service providers to ensure faster access to housing and comprehensive support.

    "Melbourne should be a city where no one is forced to sleep on the streets. By expanding Melbourne Zero, we can bring our city closer to ending street homelessness."

  • Creating a safe and secure environment is essential for the well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits Melbourne. My vision for community safety focuses on two key areas: improving street lighting to deter crime and fostering collaboration between residents, businesses, and law enforcement to shape a safer city.

    1. Expanding Adaptive Street Lighting Systems

    Well-lit streets significantly reduce crime and make people feel safer when moving around the city, especially at night. Adaptive street lighting systems adjust based on real-time activity, increasing visibility where and when it’s needed most.

    My Plan:

    • Install and expand adaptive street lighting across the City of Melbourne.

    • Prioritize areas identified as crime hotspots and poorly lit streets, ensuring they are well-lit to deter crime and enhance safety.

    "Well-lit streets are safer streets. By increasing adaptive street lighting, we can prevent crime and create a more secure environment for everyone."

    2. Empowering Community Engagement to Shape a Safer City Strategy

    Ensuring community safety requires input from those who know their neighborhoods best—residents and local businesses. I believe in working closely with multicultural communities, Victoria Police, and other stakeholders to identify crime hotspots and co-design solutions that make these areas safer.

    My Plan:

    • Host community discussions involving local residents, businesses, Victoria Police, and multicultural communities to shape a Safer City Strategy.

    • Engage these groups in identifying areas of concern and collaboratively designing safety measures that work for everyone.

    • Keep communities involved throughout the decision-making process to ensure transparency and trust.

    "Community safety is a shared responsibility. By working together with local businesses, residents, and law enforcement, we can build a safer, more inclusive Melbourne."

  • The rising cost of living is putting pressure on Melburnians, and public transport is essential for many to move around the city. Expanding the free tram zone will provide relief to residents, attract tourists, and support local businesses.

    1. Reducing the Cost Burden for Melburnians

    Many people in Melbourne rely on public transport daily. Expanding the free tram zone will ease the financial strain on those who use trams to commute, shop, and access services in the city.

    My Plan:

    • Advocate for the expansion of the free tram zone to cover more areas of the city.

    • Ensure that more Melburnians can benefit from free public transport, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis.

    "Expanding the free tram zone will provide much-needed financial relief for residents and encourage more people to use public transport."

    2. Boosting Tourism and Supporting Local Businesses

    Free public transport will incentivize tourists and visitors to explore Melbourne’s attractions and shop at local businesses, which will help boost the local economy.

    My Plan:

    • Promote the expanded free tram zone as a key feature for tourists and visitors to access more of Melbourne’s cultural, shopping, and dining experiences.

    • Support local businesses by encouraging more foot traffic from both residents and visitors.

    "By expanding the free tram zone, we’re not just helping locals—we’re bringing more people into the city to support our vibrant local businesses."

  • As part of my campaign for the City of Melbourne Council, I am committed to addressing the growing crisis of loneliness and lack of community connection that has been largely overlooked in our city. Loneliness is not just a personal issue—it’s a community-wide challenge that impacts our mental health, sense of belonging, and overall well-being. Here’s my plan to tackle this crisis head-on:

    Key Initiatives:

    1. Community-Designed Initiatives to Combat Loneliness: The City of Melbourne will fund neighborhood-specific programs designed to reduce loneliness and foster community connections. These programs will be co-designed with local residents to ensure they reflect the unique culture and needs of each neighborhood, promoting engagement and collaboration.

    "We cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. Each neighborhood in Melbourne is different, and these programs need to be tailored to local contexts," says Elvis Martin.

    1. Dedicated Funding to Address Loneliness in the Annual City Budget: I will advocate for a dedicated budget allocation each year, specifically to support initiatives that reduce loneliness and improve community connections. This funding will allow for sustained efforts in addressing the issue, ensuring that Melbourne is actively building a stronger, more connected city.

    "We need a genuine commitment, not just lip service. Social infrastructure is as important as physical infrastructure," Martin stated.

    1. Support for Small Business Owners to Reduce Isolation: Small businesses are the lifeblood of our city, but owners often face stress and isolation. My plan includes programs that connect local businesses with each other to foster peer support and build emotional resilience. These initiatives will also raise awareness of the mental health and community support services available to business owners.

    "Small businesses are the backbone of our community, but the pressure they face can be isolating. We need to help them feel part of a wider support network, not just financially, but emotionally," Martin added.

    Why This Matters:

    Recent studies have shown that 1 in 4 Australians experience loneliness, with a significant impact on mental health and well-being. Social isolation increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and premature death by up to 50%. In Melbourne, rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles have exacerbated feelings of isolation across all age groups, making this issue more urgent than ever.

    "Melbourne is known for its vibrancy and diversity, but beneath the surface, many people feel disconnected from the very community they live in," said Martin. "This is not just a social issue; it’s a public health crisis."

  • Melbourne’s businesses are the heart of our city, but many have struggled to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic while also facing new challenges. To ensure they thrive, it is essential that we listen to them and provide the right support.

    Key Initiatives:

    1. Establish a Business Advisory Board: I will advocate for the creation of a Business Advisory Board made up of local business owners and representatives. This board will provide direct feedback to the City Council on the challenges they face, from issues of community safety, crime, and homelessness to the types of support they need, such as grants or help with e-commerce.

    2. Tailored Support for Business Recovery: The Advisory Board will play a key role in identifying the most effective ways the council can support local businesses. This includes offering grants for those in need, facilitating e-commerce training and tools, and addressing immediate concerns such as crime and safety around business districts.

    "Our businesses are the backbone of Melbourne’s economy, and by listening to their needs, we can ensure they have the tools and support to succeed."