Melbourne's residents and businesses have been through a lot in recent years. From the impacts of the pandemic to the rising cost of living, it’s clear that people are feeling the pinch. We know that more and more people are doing it tough and cost-of-living pressures are biting.
That’s why we will implement this sensible and practical package, which provides urgent and meaningful financial support to those living and working in Melbourne – responding to what we’re hearing in the community – and puts money back into the pockets of people who need it most.City of Melbourne rates will be frozen for one year and on street parking fees frozen for four, pet registration will be free, the price of residents’ first parking permit will be halved, and the cost of hiring outdoor sporting grounds will be slashed to provide urgent cost-of-living relief to Melbourne residents and businesses, under a re-elected Nick Reece as Lord Mayor.
Melbourne's residents and businesses have been through a lot in recent years. From the impacts of the pandemic to the rising cost of living, it’s clear that people are feeling the pinch. We know that more and more people are doing it tough and cost-of-living pressures are biting.
That’s why we will implement this sensible and practical package, which provides urgent and meaningful financial support to those living and working in Melbourne – responding to what we’re hearing in the community – and puts money back into the pockets of people who need it most.
The Urgent Cost of Living Relief Package, which will cost $29.2 million over four years, includes:
- Freezing rates for residents and businesses for one year: Every resident and business will benefit from a zero percent rate rise in 2025.
- No increase in on-street parking: Across the City of Melbourne, on-street parking fees will stay the same for all four years of Nick and Roshena’s term.
- Free pet registration: We know that having a pet goes hand-in-hand with living in Melbourne, so we are making pet registration free for one year. There will be no change to fees for dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs.
- First parking permit cost slashed: For the next twelve months, the cost of the first parking permit for a Melbourne resident will be halved.
- Outdoor sporting ground hire halved: We want more people playing sport and we want our sporting clubs to thrive, so we are halving the cost of hiring outdoor sporting grounds.
We know that urgent support is needed, so now is the time to ease the burden on residents and businesses.
These practical measures will come into place as soon as possible after the election, with each to last for twelve months, except for the freeze on parking fees which will stay for four years. Across the next term of council, we will continue to ensure rates and fees are kept as low as possible.
The Urgent Cost of Living Relieve Package follows other cost-of-living measures that will be implemented if Nick Reece is re-elected as Lord Mayor, including:
- Mpower: Australia’s largest ever community-led bulk purchasing scheme for renewable energy set to be implemented across inner Melbourne to help slash power bills for residents and businesses by hundreds of dollars.
- $2 pool entry and 50,000 free swimming lessons: Casual entry fees for adults, students, concession card holders, and children will fall to two dollars and beginners will be able to access free swimming lessons.
These initiatives are part of our positive plan to keeping Melbourne the best and fairest city in the world.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Nick Reece:
“This targeted cost-of-living relief will put money back into the pockets of those who need it most – Melbourne’s residents and businesses. This isn’t just about numbers on a balance sheet, it's about supporting our community and helping Melbourne thrive."
“I've spoken with many residents and business owners, and the message from all of them is clear: they need real, tangible relief right now, and this is what our package will deliver.”
“We have a plan to help with rates relief, energy costs, housing pressures, and every day costs associated with owning a pet or visiting the local pool – this has been designed to provide assistance where it’s needed most.”
“Ratepayers, residents, businesses, pet owners, pool goers, sporting club members and motorists will all get relief under this package.”
Quotes attributable to Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Candidate Roshena Campbell:
“While local government isn’t responsible for the cost-of-living crisis, we must do all we can to ease the pressure facing our residents and traders.”
“When I meet with business owners across our city, they tell me that a rate and parking freeze would make a real difference to them and their customers. We’re listening and we will deliver that relief.”
The Urgent Cost of Living Relief Package, which will cost $29.2 million over four years, includes:
● Freezing rates for residents and businesses for one year: Every resident and business will benefit from a zero percent rate rise in 2025.
● No increase in on-street parking: Across the City of Melbourne, on-street parking fees will stay the same for all four years of Nick and Roshena’s term.
● Free pet registration: We know that having a pet goes hand-in-hand with living in Melbourne, so we are making pet registration free for one year. There will be no change to fees for dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs.
● First parking permit cost slashed: For the next twelve months, the cost of the first parking permit for a Melbourne resident will be halved.
● Outdoor sporting ground hire halved: We want more people playing sport and we want our sporting clubs to thrive, so we are halving the cost of hiring outdoor sporting grounds.
We know that urgent support is needed, so now is the time to ease the burden on residents and businesses. These practical measures will come into place as soon as possible after the election, with each to last for twelve months, except for the freeze on parking fees which will stay for four years. Across the next term of council, we will continue to ensure rates and fees are kept as low as possible.
The Urgent Cost of Living Relieve Package follows other cost-of-living measures that will be implemented if Nick Reece is re-elected as Lord Mayor, including:
● Mpower: Australia’s largest ever community-led bulk purchasing scheme for renewable energy set to be implemented across inner Melbourne to help slash power bills for residents and businesses by hundreds of dollars.
● $2 pool entry and 50,000 free swimming lessons: Casual entry fees for adults, students, concession card holders, and children will fall to two dollars and beginners will be able to access free swimming lessons.
These initiatives are part of our positive plan to keeping Melbourne the best and fairest city in the world.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Nick Reece:
“This targeted cost-of-living relief will put money back into the pockets of those who need it most – Melbourne’s residents and businesses. This isn’t just about numbers on a balance sheet, it's about supporting our community and helping Melbourne thrive."
“I've spoken with many residents and business owners, and the message from all of them is clear: they need real, tangible relief right now, and this is what our package will deliver.”
“We have a plan to help with rates relief, energy costs, housing pressures, and every day costs associated with owning a pet or visiting the local pool – this has been designed to provide assistance where it’s needed most.”
“Ratepayers, residents, businesses, pet owners, pool goers, sporting club members and motorists will all get relief under this package.”
Quotes attributable to Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Candidate Roshena Campbell:
“While local government isn’t responsible for the cost-of-living crisis, we must do all we can to ease the pressure facing our residents and traders.”
“When I meet with business owners across our city, they tell me that a rate and parking freeze would make a real difference to them and their customers. We’re listening and we will deliver that relief."