The City

Way back in 1985 someone decided to declare Melbourne the world's most liveable city and the politicians and bureaucrats have been ramming it down our throats ever since as if they were personally responsible. But a lot has changed since then, indeed a lot has changed since I started this web site so it's time for a fresh look at the "world's most liveable city".

Melbourne is neurotic city with a real image problem. The problem is that it thinks it has an image problem, or rather, the problem is what is done to the city in an attempt to rectify this perceived problem. 

Take sport as an example. Major sporting events are seen as opportunities to promote tourism. It works quite well really. You get to advertise on international TV AND charge them for the rights to cover the event. But you still have to emphasise that the event is being held in Melbourne.

Take tennis. First we cut a public park in half to build a new tennis stadium/ car park closer to the city so the TV cameras could glance up at the city between rallies. Not obvious enough for you? OK, who wants a park named after a significant historical figure? And so it came to be that Flinders Park was renamed Melbourne Park.

Try the Grand Prix. Getting the Australian Grand Prix from Adelaide was easy. They probably didn't want it anyway and have been financially better off for it. But where will we hold it? At one of our custom built race tracks?....too far from the city. Why not just reverse a ban on motor racing in another public park, introduce all sorts of legislation to make it all legal (some of which didn't stand up in court) and have it at Albert Park so that the TV cameras can do a few pans of the skyline from a different angle. We can all go to Lloyd's shed after the big race for a drink and a gamble.

But there's more to Melbourne than sport. We're also the cultural capital of Australia if you believe the press. We have great restaurants and a very cosmopolitan atmosphere. Every time an area becomes popular the council comes in to fix it up so that its presentable to the rest of the world and the more conservative Melbourne yuppies. No matter how much character an area develops it must eventually get street sculptures, broader footpaths for cafes and restaurants to expand outside and fairy lights. You can tell a good tourist attraction by the fairy lights. It's sort of like official tourist approved stamp for a street. Very cosmopolitan....

Victoria is no longer "The Garden State", we are now "On The Move". If only someone would tell us where we're going..... and why. There are a few areas that haven't earned their fairy lights yet.. read on to find them....