Just a short distance from the Victorian Parliament, where over 300,000 public servants are employed, cafés and retail outlets are facing significant challenges. The shift towards remote work and a surge in crime are leaving Melbourne’s once vibrant streets devoid of bustling foot traffic.
A beloved establishment, Pelligrini’s, has been a fixture in the community since the 1950s. However, its owner, David Malaspina, laments the decline in the city’s vitality, which is negatively impacting his business. Malaspina feels neglected by government officials, stating, “We’ve been forgotten by the people in power.” He emphasises the importance of having public servants return to the city for the survival of businesses like his.
His frustrations are compounded by personal tragedy; his father, Sisto, was a victim of a terror attack in Bourke Street in 2018. On the same street, newsagent Carmel has observed unprecedented quietness in her 40 years of service. She describes Bourke Street as a battleground at times, recalling situations where she has had to barricade herself and her staff inside due to safety concerns caused by unwelcome intrusions.
The challenges faced by local businesses reflect a broader issue of insufficient funding for crime prevention and a lack of proactive measures to revitalise the area. In response to rising safety concerns, Melbourne City Council’s mayor, Nick Reece, has announced the hiring of private security personnel and the deployment of 30 city safety officers to improve public safety. He remarked, “It’s completely unacceptable to me that there’s parts of the city where people don’t feel safe.”
While these measures aim to address the growing concerns, the lack of engagement from high-ranking officials like Premier Jacinta Allan, who declined an invitation to discuss these pressing issues in person, highlights the ongoing challenges for city traders. As the discussions continue, it is clear that revitalising Melbourne’s central business district requires urgent attention and collaborative efforts to ensure that it remains a vibrant hub for both locals and tourists alike.