Need for change leader

Date Published: September 25, 2024

Unimaginative, uninspiring and showing a total lack of awareness of the issues impacting Melburnians, residents and business owners is the only way to describe the candidates for Melbourne lord mayor so far (“Lord mayoral race split”, HS, 24/9).

None has outlined how they will provide a different solution to the rubbish, slime and graffiti scourge in our streets, laneways and river banks.

None has committed to removing the anti-business, anti-worker and anti-shopper bike lanes that remain empty and add to the rubbish eyesore.

None has told us what they will do on day one to remove the homeless, beggars, druggies and vagrants from our footpaths, train stations and tourist spots.

And none has committed to stopping the weekly protests and associated disruption impacting business and weekend visitors.

Nick Reece seems to think 18 green parks and continuing the $150,000 per metre Greenline dream is the distraction needed to disguise the problems listed above, problems he has ignored.

The Greens continue to talk about more bike lanes, more green parks and anti-business policies.

Arron Wood is talking about some issues but still seems to be aligned to Sally Capp-style thinking.

Anthony Koutoufides has shown some awareness of the issues but is yet to present a real commitment other than free coffee and exercise.

Melbourne needs a real change agent, someone who can take on the state government and not be influenced by loud minority groups.

Craig McIntosh, Southbank