Ten years after Labor's unlikely win, top Victorians envisage - Herald Sun [12.09.2009]
A VENICE-inspired docklands, a Prime Minister's residence over the Jolimont railyards and rooftop gardens on CBD office blocks.
These are some ideas from prominent Victorians as the 10th anniversary of Labor getting into power approaches.
Labor has ruled out a party to celebrate greenhorn Steve Bracks' shock defeat of the apparently unbeatable Liberal premier Jeff Kennett on September 19, 1999.
But to mark the win, the Herald Sun has asked prominent Victorians what they would like done to make our state an even better place.
The big decision makers also wanted safer streets, better train and tram services and an inner city hub over the Jolimont railyards.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has called for an Australian Venice in the Docklands with buildings linked by bridges and gondolas.
He expects it to take up to 20-30 years to be completed.
Labor won power in 1999 after making four key promises - open government, reduced waiting times in hospitals, more police and smaller classes of at most 21 students.
A decade on, the CBD's violent streets are littered with blood and vomit on weekends and the health system is crumbling under huge demands.
There are also complaints class sizes are too large and accusations of secret deals with Crown casino over extra gaming tables. The creaking public transport system is also a problem and fears are growing Melbourne could run out of water before the over-budget $3.5 billion desalination plant is built at the end of 2011.
Some of Victoria's most prominent citizens demand a better future.
Victorian Major Events chairman Sir Rod Eddington is worried that Melbourne has lost its way.
"I chose to move back here and live because it is such a great place but we must win back the tag of the world's most liveable city. The success of Melbourne as a city depends on a thriving and safe inner city precinct," he said.
His greatest wish is stopping the late-night violence plaguing Melbourne.
Former Qantas chairwoman Margaret Jackson led a chorus demanding "better and safer trams and trains" in the city.
Committee for Melbourne chief Sally Capp said roof gardens on office blocks and environmentally friendly buildings could make Melbourne a cutting edge city.
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Prof Glyn Davis is pushing for a new Melbourne Conservatorium.
He said this would mark the city as an "internationally acclaimed location on the music education" scene with more opportunities for young musicians and opera singers."