In 2010, Melbourne is a thriving, cosmopolitan city that will only continue to grow. Our ongoing challenge, therefore, is to ensure that we get better as we get bigger.
In Volume One of this series, we explored the importance of appropriate governance and effective decision making in making our city the very best it can be in future. We also broadly articulated a long-term proposition or vision for how we feel Melbourne could best benefit from addressing issues of physical shape, population, development, growth and regional relations.
Here, in Volume Two, we take a closer look at the pressing issue of density and discuss the value of both creating new localised economies and reinforcing those that already exist.
These key issues have nuances that are critical to our city’s future prosperity and liveability, and it is fair to say that neither is without its fair share of controversy or opposition. This is precisely why they must be raised and debated now.
If we are to truly get better as we get bigger, then we must plan accordingly. Our planning must be considered and, importantly, it must not be limited to a minimum expectation of growth. We must think beyond a city of five million. In more ways than one, our future depends on it.
Density has long been viewed negatively. For many, it conjures images of unattractive high-rise towers and cramped, unappealing living. But this simply shouldn’t be the case. In many instances, the increased densities contemplated are often mild by local and international standards.
Clearly, density offers a number of challenges that must be carefully considered and decisively met. Complicating its already negative perception are issues surrounding construction affordability, the maintenance and enhancement of community character, and the need to create family-friendly open space designs. But, with vision and forethought, these are in no way insurmountable.
The importance of a vibrant local economy and engaging, dynamic community must not be underestimated. Indeed, increasing our density offers us many opportunities to enhance Melbourne’s liveability and economic prosperity, both locally and citywide.
In Volume One, we noted that it is preferable to embrace our city’s growth and plan accordingly, rather than just ignore it and pretend that it is not happening. The same applies to density. The long-term benefits of planning for it, far outweigh the potential negatives of simply letting it evolve organically and unconstrained.
Let’s plan for density and discuss it, together. Let’s weigh up the options and look at ways that increasing density can ultimately enhance our city’s liveability by providing extra facilities and economies of scale around communities. We agree that Melbourne must get better as it gets bigger. So, let’s plan for it.
In 2010 we can agree that over the years Melbourne has been slowly improving as it grows. Melbourne in 2010 is a better city than it was in 1960.
For Melbourne to continue to improve, we as a community need to debate, discuss and agree how to make our city better. In a series of Shaping Melbourne Taskforce reports of which this is but the first, the Committee for Melbourne will be challenging the community to hold these debates, have these discussions and reach agreement on Melbourne’s future.
Our current trend of improvement began in 1990 when we were ranked the world’s most liveable city. In the years that followed people started to choose Melbourne over other Australian and global centres and our city’s growth and reputation were advanced by its liveability, affordability and connectivity. As a result we are forecast to soon have the largest urban population in Australia and one of the most diverse in the world.
The question now is: How do we, as a community, continue to grow while preserving and improving upon what makes Melbourne great?
As we get bigger, planned growth gives us significant opportunity to further enhance our city’s hard won characteristics of liveability, affordability and connectivity. However, unlike in the past, we must now consider these in the context of climate change and greater needs for sustainability.
No one is sure when, but it is inevitable that Melbourne will continue to grow and we will certainly move beyond five million, possibly surpassing eight million in the late part of this century. It’s not a debate about the numbers; it’s a discussion about the timeline.
Our parents ensured that we became a better city today while they doubled from two to four million in their generation. As custodians of tomorrow, our generation must ensure our city continues to get better as we get bigger.
Our need for an agreed and long term, sustainable vision for Melbourne must address our:
• Ultimate land size and physical shape for our city;
• Optimal population densities of our central city and suburban residential areas;
• Physical and community infrastructure development;
• Location and character of central activities districts beyond the CBD;
• Role with our neighbouring and regional cities and how we connect.
At defining times in any city’s history great communities respond not with segmented thinking, but with visionary planning. Instead of incrementally responding with little or no agreed vision for the future, we will pass to our children the same challenge our parents passed to us:
Melbourne must get better as we get bigger.
This first booklet in the Shaping Melbourne Series will look at the Governance of Melbourne and propose a vision for our future. Governance is treated first as that will be the defining factor in how we grow. If we get the governance right, all other things flow. Over the coming months this booklet will be followed by three additional discussions on:
• Density
• Infrastructure
• Community Connectivity and Economy
At the conclusion of the series we will have the foundation of a debate that must continue in broad and detailed terms. Our community needs to come together to create direction for our political decision makers to agree the long-term vision for Melbourne and, moreover, to implement it.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Confronting a global shift in climatic conditions, Melbourne
faces impacts of profound proportions. Predicted changes in
temperature, rainfall, sea level and the number and severity
of extreme weather events, will resonate across the lives of
Melburnians. Indeed, evidence indicates that the changes
are already affecting us.
In August 2007, the Committee for Melbourne formed a
Climate Change Taskforce. Our Taskforces engage our
Members who come from business, academia, community and
government. They also leverage our Members’ expertise and
passion for Melbourne to produce outcomes. These outcomes
are in most cases, advocacy positions and tangible actions.
The Climate Change Taskforce was established to consider
the impacts of human induced climate change on our city,
and examine what can be done to mitigate and adapt to
these impacts. It also considered what specifi c opportunities
this might present for Melbourne. For the past 12 months,
80 of our Members – our largest ever Taskforce – have
collectively volunteered thousands of hours to bring clarity
to the issue of climate change for Melbourne.
FutureMap details the impacts and opportunities identifi ed
by the Committee’s Climate Change Taskforce.
Melbourne’s climate in 2030
By 2030, we can expect warmer conditions throughout
the year, more hot days and fewer frosts. Drier conditions
will prevail with less rain, fewer rainy days and hail storms.
However more intense rainfall events are predicted. Indeed,
frequency of extreme weather events in general is expected
to increase with more storms, fl oods and drought years. There
will also be higher sea levels.
Although science suggests that our actions before today
have already dictated the climate change expected by
2030, actions taken as soon as possible will help curb the
negative effects felt by our children, grandchildren and the
generations beyond. Therefore, this FutureMap focuses on
the timeframe to 2030.
Impacts of climate change
The key impacts of climate change considered by the Taskforce
included the likely effects on our climate, including reductions
in runoff and increased stormwater at periods of intense rainfall,
and the implications for infrastructure. Coastal and riparian zones
will be threatened by inundations from higher sea levels, tidal and
storm surges. Alpine regions are likely to suffer reduced snowfall
and increased bushfi res. Tourism and leisure, and our natural
resources, including biodiversity will be impacted.
The future health of Melburnians is also discussed. Changes
in climate may mean more skin cancers, and increased
injuries and mortality from associated storms and heat stress.
There may be an increase in the distribution and abundance
of disease transmitting insects, but there will potentially be a
reduced incidence of respiratory viruses.
Trends suggest that climate change will lead to signifi cant
industrial restructuring, so labour requirements and training
will need to be considered.
Key issues for the building sector include: consideration of
the urban heat island effect; managing water and energy
demand, and waste disposal; the need to create or
retrofi t buildings for energy effi ciency; and consideration of
embodied energy in construction materials.
There are also signifi cant implications for transport and
industry, with community expectations providing added
pressure for energy effi ciency and responsible action.
The impacts of climate change are drawn from modelling,
predictions and extrapolation, but the opportunities it
presents are current, concrete and tangible. The challenge
for Melbourne is to take existing and nascent technologies,
and develop capabilities of international status to address
climate change issues.
Barriers to change
The investigations undertaken by the Climate Change
Taskforce, however, have found a lack of cohesive policy
across the issues, and strategies sometimes at odds across
sectors. The Taskforce also reports institutional barriers to
curbing carbon emissions, such as tax incentives and
concessions for some vehicle use. There are particular areas
of weakness in public knowledge. Likewise, there is a risk that
adopting broad brush greenhouse mitigation actions could
unfairly penalise lower income earners, especially tenants.
Enabling opportunities
The Taskforce recognises the need for a holistic approach
to address the challenges associated with climate
change, and to assist Melbourne to take advantage of the
opportunities it presents. Key areas were identifi ed where the
Taskforce felt Melbourne organisations, including Committee
Members could take specifi c actions or advocate for
change. Specifi c recommendations in key areas are:
BUILDINGS:
■ Provide guidance and decision support programs for
tenants and building owners, to expedite retrofi ts of
existing buildings
■ Advocate for mandatory building standards
SUMMARY
LOW EMISSION ENERGY:
■ Urge the State Government to work with the Federal
Government and business to step up and coordinate
funding support for research, development and
commercialisation of low-emissions technology
■ Advocate for the Federal Government to direct the
Essential Services Commission, in conjunction with
the Australian Energy Regulator, to review regulatory
arrangements that could be creating perverse incentives
that constrain development or implementation of low
emission/renewable energy technologies
■ Coordinate an independent position paper which
takes into account previous State Government and
other research to assess the practicality for commercial
implementation of low emission coal technologies
in Victoria
■ Introduce a ‘Low/Zero Net Emissions Award’ to recognise
the efforts of companies in implementing best practice
carbon management strategies that achieve genuine
net emissions reductions
TRANSPORT:
■ Set strong national vehicle emissions intensity targets
to align our vehicles with the best practice, lower
benchmarks of the European Union
■ Reform federal tax arrangements to remove perverse
incentives that maximise car use and discourage the use
of public transport
■ Advocate for the State Government to include
greenhouse gas performance targets in all tenders for
the provision of public transport services
■ Increase government investment in transport
infrastructure, particularly public transport, to assist in
reducing emissions
■ Encourage Melbourne organisations, including
Committee Members to introduce staff travel behaviour
change programs
SOCIAL EQUITY:
■ Advocate for the acceleration of public funding
availability through capital grants or rebates for low-income
home owners to purchase energy effi cient products
■ Conduct a round table with private rental market
investors, superannuation funds, industry associations,
real estate agents, body corporates, fi nanciers and
NGOs to discuss measures to help low-income private
renters adapt to climate change impacts
URBAN RESILIENCE:
■ Incorporate vegetative roofs into building standards
and promote the creation of ‘green’ roof credits
■ Modify Melbourne metropolitan planning and zoning to
include mandatory standards for more green space
BUSINESS PROCUREMENT:
■ Create an index of sustainable procurement organisations
■ Develop educational curricula and training activities for
decision support
OVERARCHING RECOMMENDATIONS:
■ All new and proposed amendments to Government
legislation should require a climate change impacts
assessment including measures to accommodate
resilience to the effects of climate change
■ Advocate substantial amendments to existing planning
schemes to include mandatory standards for sustainable
retrofi t of existing buildings and minimum levels of urban
green space as well as ‘as-of right’ 6-storey/30m height
development along high frequency public transport routes,
subject to local green space and heritage considerations
■ Utilise the Asia Pacifi c Institute for Sustainable Cities (APISC)
to facilitate the co-ordinated uptake of existing funding
schemes and business investment across Victoria. The
APISC will facilitate the exchange of ideas, information
and resources between the public and private sectors
and NGOs to encourage reductions in GHG emissions
Role of Members
The Taskforce considers that Committee Members should
assume the task of pioneering many of its recommendations.
Community leadership is required to commit to and
implement the scale of change required. Members are in a
strong position to infl uence policy and behavioural change,
and lead the uptake of mitigation and adaptation initiatives.
Concern over climate change and its impacts has already
prompted a shift in community attitude, creating behavioural
change. Where we live, how we live, how we use water, our
modes of transport, heating, cooling and waste disposal are
now under scrutiny for energy use and long term impacts. The
legislative background will see a national emissions trading
scheme by 2010. Federal, state and local governments are
now addressing water use effi ciency, greenhouse gas
abatement and land use with a new focus.
Melbourne is well placed to take advantage of the
increased awareness of the impacts of climate change,
and use its capabilities and resources to leverage associated
opportunities. Working together, Melburnians can reduce
these impacts, share their knowledge and expertise, and
become international leaders
INTRODUCTION
With a value of $1.7b in 2004-05, higher education is one of Victoria’s largest exports. It is a key driver of research and development, the provider of a skilled and educated workforce and a major contributor to the city’s liveability and socio-cultural fabric. Higher education is unarguably a key factor in Melbourne’s current and future prosperity and plays an important role in positioning Melbourne globally, as validated by its #5 world ranking in the newly established University City Index. To maintain and improve that ranking, however, the university sector faces some very real challenges.
The temptation could be to leave things as they are on the assumption that our current economic and social success will continue. Positive indicators such as high foreign student numbers and a strong economy may be masking the true extent of a higher education tipping point. The warning signs are apparent: skill and capability shortages, limited growth in innovative, high prospect businesses, questions in the international student market on the quality of our higher education system, and a growing chorus from the private sector and academia on the need to act now to prevent irreparable, long-term damage.
Recognising the urgency and scale of the issues, the Committee for Melbourne1 drew together leaders from business, academia, Government and civil society, launching the Higher Education Taskforce in May 2006. The Taskforce’s primary objectives were to identify the key threats and opportunities facing our higher education sector and to develop a series of consensus-based, concrete and realistic responses to be implemented by business, Government and tertiary institutions by December 2008.
The Taskforce concluded that higher education is at a tipping point due to: declining levels of Government investment; low private sector engagement and investment; regulatory constraints; outdated structures and administration; and, increasing overseas competition.
This paper identifies specific actions that will serve to redress gaps and develop unique opportunities in Victoria. In part, it addresses symptoms of a flawed model. For the longer term, the Taskforce considers that the current “tinkering” approach to the issues of funding and governance is simply not sustainable.
It requires a fundamental review from first principles, if the important objectives of higher education are to be achieved.
In summary, Melbourne is performing well at present, but is faced with intensifying competition and a range of structural and funding issues, which could see its higher education sector at risk of decline.
A decline would prevent Melbourne from achieving its full potential as one of the world’s leading cities. It would also have far-reaching effects on direct export earnings, government tax receipts, employment, liveability and, most importantly, Melbourne’s ability to future-proof its economy through the growth and development of innovative and profitable businesses.
Through the Taskforce process, the Committee for Melbourne has proven that business, academia, government and civil society can work together to create a forum for partnership that enhances the contribution of higher education to society. Building on this success, the Committee for Melbourne has committed to hosting an annual forum of key Melbourne business leaders and Vice-Chancellors and to undertake annual feedback surveys of its members to provide ongoing information to universities and government.
