Bridget Mullahy Labor for South Melbourne Ward – Bridget Mullahy for City of Port Phillip Council

Hello, I’m Bridget Mullahy,

I’m the Labor-endorsed candidate for the new South Melbourne Ward in Port Phillip’s local government elections this October.

I’m running because the South Melbourne ward needs a strong voice on Port Phillip Council. A person who will work with the local community to develop and implement a vision.

I’m honest, authentic and focused on action. I care about our community, our open spaces and having a thriving local economy.

I lead with compassion and with a collaborative, inclusive approach. This helps to build community and belonging.

At my core is a passion for helping people, understanding different perspectives and bringing the right people together to solve problems. This applies beyond political affiliations.

I have a proven track record of stakeholder engagement and issues management that can help secure and deliver our local development projects.

Click for more information About Me.

My focus for South Melbourne ward:

Healthy Strong Communities

This means embracing our diversity, celebrating our strong community of residents and taking care of those in need.

Thriving Local Businesses

This means working together to fuel the local economy and attract domestic and international visitors – our customers.

A sustainable future

This means protecting our green spaces and developing the right infrastructure, while rising to meet the urgent challenge of climate change.

South Melbourne in numbers:

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About South Melbourne ward

I believe there’s no better place to live, work or visit than South Melbourne, with its diverse and vibrant inner-city community. Our popular cafes, shops, market, parks and nearby beaches compete with the best in the world.

With nearly 30% growth in population expected in South Melbourne ward by 2041, there are challenges that inevitably come with this.

Click here – for more information on South Melbourne.

I’m running because we need to elect a Councillor who can properly represent South Melbourne on Council and bring together very different people in our ward to action progressive change.

Healthy Robust Communities

This means embracing our diversity, celebrating our great community and taking care of those in need. I advocate for vulnerable people such as patients with complex health needs, our elderly, children, those impacted by family violence, immigrants/expats and people living with a disability and mental health challenges. Life can be tough. We need strong communities that care, show compassion and help to make people feel safe and secure – to lift them up during the hard times.

Focus:

Protect people who need support in a cost of living crisis
Seek improvements to social and affordable housing/renting without disrupting the lives of current residents
Work on having safer streets – and homes – to ensure residents and visitors feel at ease when in South Melbourne
Invest in our community childcare, aged care, disability services and libraries
Work on our Town Hall being an area of community gathering ensuring local residents have access to it while in use by ANAM
Foster vibrant Arts, culture and recreational sporting communities
Embrace diversity and multiculturalism
Support residents with understanding Council Services and changes in South Melbourne

Thriving local businesses

This means supporting local businesses to prosper. We must work together to fuel the local economy and attract domestic and international visitors – our customers. I will champion innovative policy solutions to address business challenges. It’s about making sure South Melbourne has the right projects in place to support businesses. This delivers value back to the community through busy, well-planned and safer streets.

Focus:

Ensure South Melbourne gets our fair share of Council funding
Continue with the revitalisation of Clarendon Street precinct and the proposed new Arts precinct at Town Hall making sure residents have access to enjoy it
Support South Melbourne Market as a key attraction
Improve walking, cycling and public transport flow to connect South Melbourne to ANZAC station, Port Phillip and the rest of Melbourne
Strive for the completion of the Park Street tram link
Work with Public Transport Victoria to encourage Grand Prix patrons to spend money in South Melbourne
Support workers in South Melbourne

Sustainable future

This means protecting and developing our green spaces, investing in the right infrastructure, keeping our streets clean and rising together to meet the urgent challenge of climate change. Change is not always easy, but we must act now and do the right things to protect and regenerate our local ecosystems for the generations to follow – our children deserve it and so do our furry and acquatic friends.

Focus:

Support local climate action and the Port Phillip Climate Emergency Action Plan
Focus on cleaner, greener streets and the sustainable groups who are working hard to make it happen
Innovate to reduce, reuse and recycle waste
Improve access to appropriate off leash dog parks for dog owners without affecting amenity of local residents
Expand car share spaces and EV charging stations
Support urban reforestation to reduce our footprint
Seek a gradual increase in population density without impacting the area’s wonderful heritage