Mel Yuan for Brunswick

Brunswick Voice has reached out to candidates on a range of issues.

What is your position on removing on-street parking from sections of Sydney Road, Brunswick, to make space for a separated cycling lane and for the construction of accessible tram stops?

I support implementing accessible tram stops on Sydney Road. I support greater prioritisation, space and safety for cyclists on key arterials throughout Brunswick, both east-west and north-south. While the final design solution for Brunswick is not agreed on, the future of Sydney Road is fewer car parks.

However, providing accessible car parking for Sydney Road is still important. Brunswick’s livability is greatly enhanced with Sydney Road-adjacent car parks such as Dawson St, behind Bunnings, across the road from A1 bakery, behind Zagame’s, and elsewhere. There are many people who rely on car transport for carrying goods, ferrying family members, travelling safety and those with limited mobility.

Should the council and councillors take positions on global issues?

Councillors are members of the community and can have public opinions which express their values and contribute to broader community debate. A majority of the Council may also agree to take positions on global issues. However, the time, attention and focus of elected councillors must be in discharging their responsibilities as local councillors and good governance of Merri-bek Council.

Would you advocate for restoration of the twice-yearly kerbside hard rubbish collection (as opposed to the new system of a booked hard rubbish pick up)?

Yes. Kerbside hard rubbish is a more sustainable mode of waste disposal in that it encourages the Circular Economy. Booked hard rubbish discourages scrounging, which is the most desirable form of waste re-use.

Do you support the waiving of recommended height limits on new apartment developments in return for increased affordable housing? What proportion of a project should be set aside for affordable housing?

No. If you think height limits are desirable, then sacrificing them for “affordable” housing does not make removing them appropriate. The definition of “affordable” housing is far too vague to be a solid policy objective.

Setting aside “affordable” housing is not a useful goal unless it is properly defined. Are developers supposed to hand over ownership of apartments to the Department of Housing? Is the Department of Housing going to purchase apartments at below-market price? What is the mechanism by which people are entitled to “affordable housing”? What purchase price or rent value constitutes “affordability”? How will buyers or renters circumstances be taken into account i.e. means testing?

Given the decision of the City of Melbourne to revoke its contracts with hireable e-scooter providers, should the council go ahead with its e-scooter trial in 2025?

No. Merri-bek rightly delayed the scooter trial until others had trialled it first. The City of Melbourne, our nearest southern neighbour and likely source and destination for most e-scooter rides has found the idea lacking. E-scooters are privately owned, for-profit businesses and should not utilise public open space or precious roadside infrastructure in densely-populated Brunswick.

Would you support a reduction of the speed limit to 30 kmh on non-arterial roads controlled by the council?

Yes. I live in a declared 40 zone. Council’s implementation of the speed limit reduction was inadequate as it remains unsigned and only one C road has the speed limited painted on it (Union St). The future for Brunswick is for traffic calming and pedestrian prioritisation in all Activity Centres and Growth Zones. These measures will be necessary to allow for increased density. Good design across the suburb is the key.

Should the owners of empty or vacant commercial or residential blocks of land be required to pay an additional rates levy if they fail to sell or develop the block within 12 months?

No. There are many legitimate reasons why land-owners do not develop or sell in 12 months, besides land banking. Introducing additional levies would be expensive to implement and collect. Forcing sales on a timeline could distort the price of land and lead to increased land speculation. Housing supply is addressed by the State government by increasing supply through increased density. Merri-bek, and especially Brunswick, is at the forefront of increasing housing density.