Carlton star Anthony Koutoufides has promised to offer workers free coffee each week and reduce public transport costs on Fridays if elected Lord Mayor.
Koutoufides today unveiled his four-part policy that he believed would encourage people to return to the CBD.
The AFL legend said he was committed to revitalising the city if successful in the October council election.
Koutoufides said the city needed people back and they needed to take action immediately before it was too late.
“Over the past few weeks, I’ve been out across our suburbs and CBD, talking to business owners and many of them are saying they are reconsidering their future when their current leases expire,” Koutoufides said.
“Small businesses are leaving the city in concerning numbers and if we don’t act now, it will only get worse.”
Under the first proposal, a one-off grant of up to $5000 will be established for up to 1000 businesses that sign a new lease in the CBD in 2025.
He would also work with the Victorian government to offer subsidised travel across the public transport network for a trial period, initially for Fridays.
“All you need to do is walk around the city, Southbank and Docklands and the number of For Lease signs is growing by the day. This initiative aims to revitalise the city by filling empty properties with thriving businesses and people,” he said.
Koutoufides said he would shout coffee to workers as part of the third initiative.
“Most Melburnians love coffee and our cafes are renowned around the world for it. So, for those that make the effort to come into the CBD on a Monday, we’ll shout you a coffee,” he said.
The fourth initiative would ensure continued support for major events and activations.
“Weekends are just as important, and we know that major events and special activations in our city are big drivers of activity,” he said.
“Last financial year almost $96 million in economic value was delivered to the city through events and want to build on this putting extra resources into this space.”
