Team Kouta will return Melbourne back to its former glory as the world’s most liveable city once again. Our team of progressive business, community and local government leaders have a laser-focused plan to revitalise the city, get Melbourne moving again and address major issues, including the cost of living crisis and the local economic decline in and around Melbourne that particularly harms small businesses and low-income families.

Addressing Melbourne’s cost-of-living and affordable housing crisis is Team Kouta’s top priority for the city of Melbourne. We plan to promote and support the development of affordable housing options, ensuring that more residents have access to safe and affordable homes. Team Kouta has the only serious plan to address the cost-of-living crisis for families and businesses, by reducing planning fees, freezing council rate increases for the next 2 years, and building 30,000 affordable homes for key essential workers in partnership with the State and Federal government. For all those entrepreneurs who want to build a business, we will offer 1,000 small businesses $5,000 grants for those who sign empty leases in the CBD to boost the local economy and fill up empty, unused city buildings. This focus on housing and supporting small businesses will alleviate pressure on low-income families and small businesses, and contribute to a more inclusive city. To support young families, we will make kindergarten free for all children.  Melbourne’s entertainment sector is world-renowned, and Team Kouta will do everything in its capacity to support our entertainment scene and local events in partnership with Tourism Victoria. We will bring back major sporting events, cultural festivals and art exhibitions back to Melbourne and launch the first ever Melbourne Super Bowl event, details of which can be found under Our Plan for Melbourne.

Team Kouta is firmly committed to increasing support services and resources to the families of Melbourne, both in the CBD and the suburbs. Mental and physical health are important to a healthy life. If elected, the City of Melbourne will offer various health and fitness classes, including free group personal training sessions and increased support to mental health services. Recognizing the importance of addressing homelessness, Team Kouta commits to dramatically increase the resources for homeless support services. We will expand shelter availability, ensuring there is never a bed unavailable in any suburb of Melbourne, and implement long-term strategies to help individuals transition into permanent housing, with the goal of reducing homelessness across Melbourne once and for all. We are proud of our city, and everyone deserves the dignity befitting that of a first world nation and world capital such as Melbourne.

You can find further details about our plan below.