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Team Kouta to bring life back to the City of Melbourne

  • Up to $5,000 incentive for new commercial leases in City of Melbourne
  • Free coffee Mondays
  • Cheaper public transport Fridays
  • Boost for City of Melbourne events

City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Candidate Anthony Koutoufides will trial a range of measures in his first six months to get people back into the Central Business District if elected as Lord Mayor.

“The City of Melbourne needs people back. We need action now and we need to provide incentives to get the city moving again before it is 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.”

“Small businesses are leaving the city in concerning numbers and if we don’t act now, it will only get worse,” he said.

Under the first proposal, a one-off grant of up to $5000 will be established for up to 1,000 businesses that sign a new lease in the CBD in 2025.

Koutoufides said with the CBD vacancy rate now at almost 20 per cent and it was time to implement innovative incentives to entice businesses back into the city.

“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 data shows that since COVID-19 there are fewer visitors and workers in the city on Mondays and Fridays and it was important to look at initiatives focused on getting people back on these days.

“Office occupancy is at its lowest on Mondays and Fridays with many people choosing to work from home. If elected, I will work with the State Government and the Public Transport operators to offer subsidised travel across the public transport network for a trial period, initially for Fridays.”

Koutoufides said the third initiative will be linked to Melbourne’s love affair with coffee.

“Most Melbournians 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.”

“After COVID, the City of Melbourne and the State Government partnered to offer incentives to get Melbournians back into our restaurants by offering dining vouchers and we want to build on that program.”

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.  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.” he said.

Media contact: media@kouta.softserve.cloud or 0438 004 959.