logo
Congestion levy and hybrid work underpin productivity chief's CBD vision

Congestion levy and hybrid work underpin productivity chief's CBD vision

The Age08-05-2025

'Hybrid [work] is going to be the sweet spot for a lot of organisations,' Wood says. 'You get the same, if not slightly better productivity with hybrid work, while also bringing the benefits to your workers of flexibility, the time savings of the commute and a greater capacity to combine work and family.'
It's why the CBD must continue to diversify on the road to 2050, Wood says, to cement itself as a meeting place for leisure through shopping, dining, nightlife and major events. 'All those things act together to help promote the city into a destination.'
Wood says that transport systems need to be tweaked to improve and spread out the flow of people moving in and out of the city.
She says time-based road user charges should be on the table to ease congestion and prompt drivers to change when they visit, or to use other transport modes.
She also supports improving public transport with measures such as staggered work start times, more frequent services during the day and cheaper off-peak fares to encourage more off-peak travel.
Wood also says that increasing high-density residential development in inner and middle suburbs and making the planning system more efficient, both of which are central to the Allan government's housing plans, will aid access to the CBD.
Ellwood agrees there is an ongoing shift towards the city serving as a social hub as much as a place to work.
'The urban planning that they're talking about, the beautification of the city and the open mindedness of creative people more generally, I think, is a pretty exciting combination,' he says.
Ellwood believes Melbourne in 2050 will be a creative and collaborative city.
'Melbourne has always treated creativity as not just a nice thing to do, but as an essential part of the power of the city,' he says. 'We think differently than other cities, we support risk, and we see it as a core part of who we are.'
Unsurprisingly, Ellwood sees the NGV Contemporary, a gallery that is still in the design phase, as key to Melbourne's future.
'We don't see anything of this ambition anywhere in our part of the world,' he says.
Ellwood says the $1.7 billion space itself – together with the $45 million in new exhibits the NGV has acquired from its three Triennial exhibitions – will be transformative.
'We're bringing in a whole new collection that the community can then start to really connect with,' he says.
'While that's opening in four to five years' time, and I know the vision in this forum is around 2050, it is a great launchpad and a great indication of community working together to create something that for the next three decades is going to be sharing the most relevant contemporary thinkers and practitioners that we have around the world.'
Ellwood's ambition for Melbourne in 2050 is for the city to be seen as one of the globe's top providers of cultural life. As for the gallery, his vision is for it to be among the top 10 in the world.
'I believe that will happen,' he says.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pilbara's Wedgetail Brewery turns shed brew beer into Australia's best with top honour
Pilbara's Wedgetail Brewery turns shed brew beer into Australia's best with top honour

West Australian

time20-05-2025

  • West Australian

Pilbara's Wedgetail Brewery turns shed brew beer into Australia's best with top honour

A Pilbara brewery that started as a passion project for a pair of pilots can now lay claim to home of the best beer in Australia, after taking top honours at the world's biggest annual beer competition. Wedgetail Brewing started as a dream from mates Howie Croft and Pete 'Macca' McDonald, who built a brewery in their shed, and came full circle on Thursday when their Dark Lager earnt Champion Australian Beer and Champion Australian Independent Beer at the 2025 Australian International Beer Awards. The brewery name was inspired by the wedge-tailed eagles the duo would cross paths with regularly on their flights. The prestigious win comes as they beat out just under 2300 entries, with past winners including popular names Stone & Wood and 4 Pines Brewing. McDonald, who was in Melbourne to accept the award, said they didn't give themselves a shot of winning against the industry big dogs. 'We came down and were excited to benchmark our beer, and to win is amazing,' he said. Melbourne Royal senior manager Kirrily Waldhorn said the awards highlight the best that the country has to offer from all corners. 'Winning at this level shows that world-class beer isn't limited to scale — it's driven by commitment to craft and consistency,' she said. 'To be recognised among the best in the world speaks volumes about the quality and ambition of our brewers.'

Congestion levy and hybrid work underpin productivity chief's CBD vision
Congestion levy and hybrid work underpin productivity chief's CBD vision

Sydney Morning Herald

time08-05-2025

  • Sydney Morning Herald

Congestion levy and hybrid work underpin productivity chief's CBD vision

'Hybrid [work] is going to be the sweet spot for a lot of organisations,' Wood says. 'You get the same, if not slightly better productivity with hybrid work, while also bringing the benefits to your workers of flexibility, the time savings of the commute and a greater capacity to combine work and family.' It's why the CBD must continue to diversify on the road to 2050, Wood says, to cement itself as a meeting place for leisure through shopping, dining, nightlife and major events. 'All those things act together to help promote the city into a destination.' Wood says that transport systems need to be tweaked to improve and spread out the flow of people moving in and out of the city. She says time-based road user charges should be on the table to ease congestion and prompt drivers to change when they visit, or to use other transport modes. She also supports improving public transport with measures such as staggered work start times, more frequent services during the day and cheaper off-peak fares to encourage more off-peak travel. Wood also says that increasing high-density residential development in inner and middle suburbs and making the planning system more efficient, both of which are central to the Allan government's housing plans, will aid access to the CBD. Ellwood agrees there is an ongoing shift towards the city serving as a social hub as much as a place to work. 'The urban planning that they're talking about, the beautification of the city and the open mindedness of creative people more generally, I think, is a pretty exciting combination,' he says. Ellwood believes Melbourne in 2050 will be a creative and collaborative city. 'Melbourne has always treated creativity as not just a nice thing to do, but as an essential part of the power of the city,' he says. 'We think differently than other cities, we support risk, and we see it as a core part of who we are.' Unsurprisingly, Ellwood sees the NGV Contemporary, a gallery that is still in the design phase, as key to Melbourne's future. 'We don't see anything of this ambition anywhere in our part of the world,' he says. Ellwood says the $1.7 billion space itself – together with the $45 million in new exhibits the NGV has acquired from its three Triennial exhibitions – will be transformative. 'We're bringing in a whole new collection that the community can then start to really connect with,' he says. 'While that's opening in four to five years' time, and I know the vision in this forum is around 2050, it is a great launchpad and a great indication of community working together to create something that for the next three decades is going to be sharing the most relevant contemporary thinkers and practitioners that we have around the world.' Ellwood's ambition for Melbourne in 2050 is for the city to be seen as one of the globe's top providers of cultural life. As for the gallery, his vision is for it to be among the top 10 in the world. 'I believe that will happen,' he says.

Congestion levy and hybrid work underpin productivity chief's CBD vision
Congestion levy and hybrid work underpin productivity chief's CBD vision

The Age

time08-05-2025

  • The Age

Congestion levy and hybrid work underpin productivity chief's CBD vision

'Hybrid [work] is going to be the sweet spot for a lot of organisations,' Wood says. 'You get the same, if not slightly better productivity with hybrid work, while also bringing the benefits to your workers of flexibility, the time savings of the commute and a greater capacity to combine work and family.' It's why the CBD must continue to diversify on the road to 2050, Wood says, to cement itself as a meeting place for leisure through shopping, dining, nightlife and major events. 'All those things act together to help promote the city into a destination.' Wood says that transport systems need to be tweaked to improve and spread out the flow of people moving in and out of the city. She says time-based road user charges should be on the table to ease congestion and prompt drivers to change when they visit, or to use other transport modes. She also supports improving public transport with measures such as staggered work start times, more frequent services during the day and cheaper off-peak fares to encourage more off-peak travel. Wood also says that increasing high-density residential development in inner and middle suburbs and making the planning system more efficient, both of which are central to the Allan government's housing plans, will aid access to the CBD. Ellwood agrees there is an ongoing shift towards the city serving as a social hub as much as a place to work. 'The urban planning that they're talking about, the beautification of the city and the open mindedness of creative people more generally, I think, is a pretty exciting combination,' he says. Ellwood believes Melbourne in 2050 will be a creative and collaborative city. 'Melbourne has always treated creativity as not just a nice thing to do, but as an essential part of the power of the city,' he says. 'We think differently than other cities, we support risk, and we see it as a core part of who we are.' Unsurprisingly, Ellwood sees the NGV Contemporary, a gallery that is still in the design phase, as key to Melbourne's future. 'We don't see anything of this ambition anywhere in our part of the world,' he says. Ellwood says the $1.7 billion space itself – together with the $45 million in new exhibits the NGV has acquired from its three Triennial exhibitions – will be transformative. 'We're bringing in a whole new collection that the community can then start to really connect with,' he says. 'While that's opening in four to five years' time, and I know the vision in this forum is around 2050, it is a great launchpad and a great indication of community working together to create something that for the next three decades is going to be sharing the most relevant contemporary thinkers and practitioners that we have around the world.' Ellwood's ambition for Melbourne in 2050 is for the city to be seen as one of the globe's top providers of cultural life. As for the gallery, his vision is for it to be among the top 10 in the world. 'I believe that will happen,' he says.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store