08.08.2017Melbourne tops The Economist Intelligence Unit’s liveability ranking for 7th year running

Released today, The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Survey ranks Melbourne as the world’s most liveable city for the seventh year running.

Committee for Melbourne CEO Martine Letts says she is delighted that Melbourne has retained its top place ranking, but warns that our appeal as a leading international city is being threatened by the profound forces of innovation and disruption brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Retaining our mantle of the ‘World’s Most Liveable City’ for seven consecutive years is great news for Melbourne and the economy”, said Martine Letts, Committee for Melbourne CEO.

“However, we must quickly learn how to benefit from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while addressing its challenges or next year may well be a different story”.

“Harnessing the expertise of our Members, the Committee for Melbourne established its flagship Melbourne 4.0 Taskforce to ensure that our city will continue to remain liveable and prosperous as we move towards 2030”, Ms Letts said.

“Liveablity is a key component in our city’s ability to attract and retain top global and local talent”.

Using a scenario planning methodology, the Melbourne 4.0 Taskforce generated four plausible futures for our city in 2030 which, in turn, produced a set of responses, or Strategic Needs, to the challenges and opportunities the scenarios uncovered.

People
Future skills
Innovative ecosystem
Housing mix

Connectivity
Competitive internet
Airport link
Eastern seaboard transit link

Governance
Metropolitan collaboration
Eastern seaboard collaboration
Digital capability

“We need to be bold, ambitious and clear in our vision for Melbourne’s progress if we are to make the most of our advantages”.

“This is why we will be working with our Members to promote these nine Needs for Melbourne”, noted Ms Letts.

“This will help prepare our city for the unprecedented disruption facing our future economy and society out to 2030”.
“If we keep progressing with ‘business as usual’, the future for our city may not be all that bright”.

-ENDS-