Former Deputy Lord Mayor and well-known environmentalist Arron Wood has confirmed his candidacy for Melbourne Lord Mayor in the upcoming October local government elections.
A resident of Kensington for nearly 20 years, Arron understands what makes Melbourne liveable and knows the challenges Melbourne businesses face, having successfully run his own small business for over two decades based in the City of Melbourne, which won a coveted News Ltd Telstra Business Award.
Former deputy lord mayor Arron Wood with his wife, Stephanie, and children Addison and Sam. Credit: Jason Edwards
Wood has proven experience, having served as Deputy Lord Mayor and taken on the role of Acting Lord Mayor from December 2017 until the May 2018 by-election. He challenged former Lord Mayor Sally Capp in 2020, finishing a close second after the distribution of preferences.
Wood emphasised that his primary reason for running is to give Melbourne the fresh start it deserves and strong leadership to get the basics right.
“Businesses and residents are not only struggling with increasing cost-of-living pressures but face significant future challenges including the ongoing post COVID recovery, more crime across the city and a council budget in dire straits. As a member of the community in Kensington, and someone working in the CBD, I will use my proven track record to bring fresh energy, new ideas and practical solutions where others at Town Hall have failed.” Wood said.
If elected, Wood will deliver a five-point recovery plan to get the city back on track.
Team Wood’s 5-point recovery plan
Tackle the cost-of-living crisis
Implement affordability measures – including keeping rates low - to ease financial pressures on residents and businesses. Scrap red tape and unnecessary fees.
Support building owners and residents to make their buildings energy efficient to reduce operating costs.
Create a safer, cleaner, greener, and more accessible city
Tackling crime, city cleanliness, and ensuring accessibility for all residents and visitors.
Support a more sustainable city with more open spaces and cleaner waterways
Revitalise Melbourne’s economy
Get Town Hall’s budget under control
Champion policies that attract global businesses, support local entrepreneurs and foster innovation
Boost Melbourne's global standing and creating job opportunities for residents
Accelerating more people to come into the city safely and on time Support communities to thrive
Planning for our growing populations by building and retrofitting resilient and essential infrastructure and plentiful green open spaces
Helping creative, health, and service industry workers to live near their jobs, by planning and advocating for affordable homes
Celebrating diversity and multiculturalism in local communities and ensuring accessible services and support are in place Revive Melbourne’s cultural heartbeat
Make Melbourne Australia’s Christmas capital and revive Docklands and Southbank precincts in consultation with residents
Create industry-specific advisory committees to re-energise Melbourne’s arts, hospitality, fashion and retail sectors
Support activities that foster local cultural connections and sport in the local residential communities that make up Melbourne
“Being outside the Town Hall environment for the last four years has given me the opportunity to hear directly from residents and businesses about the real issues they face. Melbourne has the ability to return to its pre-pandemic greatness, and I want to make that happen,” Wood vowed.
Arron already has a number of key backers in his corner,
Arron is without a doubt my choice for Lord Mayor for the City of Melbourne. He’s not running for power, or because he’s never done anything else – he has had a very successful career – he’s running because he understands the realities of businesses and residents and he cares about improving their lives.
He can count on my support because I know we can count on him. His vision to take Melbourne forward and not leave it struggling to recover, as it is now, bringing the different people of Melbourne together and getting the city back on track is exactly what we need. Michael Malthouse
Fiona Sweetman, Owner and Director of Melbourne’s Hidden Secret Tours has said she is so pleased Arron is standing again as his knowledge of Council will be so important in these economic times. Arron has had skin in the game, not just in politics or academia, but in business and advocacy.
“What I remember most about his time at Town Hall is that Arron is a vibrant and present leader who is prepared to listen. Arron can bring colleagues, residents and businesses along with him to deliver on his plans and innovations. I know Arron understands the visitor economy, and the need for it to be in all of council consideration.
Arron has a proven track record which will be essential for Melbourne’s heart and our sustainable future.
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