Melbourne residents have proposed a series of urban initiatives—including building a swimming pool on the Yarra River, making public transport free on weekends, and banning Airbnb—to improve city liveability, according to an August 10, 2026 report by Cara Waters and the Visual Stories Team.
The initiatives range from long-standing proposals like building the Airport Rail to out-of-left-field concepts and policies adopted by other cities, such as London’s congestion tax. Jurisdictions over these policies vary, falling under the remit of the City of Melbourne, or alternatively, state or federal governments, without assigned budgets or timelines.
Upcoming Melbourne Assembly Forum Details
To further examine the city’s trajectory, The Age will host the Melbourne Assembly in October 2026. This public forum will bring together world-leading urban planners and Melbourne’s best thinkers to discuss crucial ideas for the future.
Participants at the forum will tackle topics central to Melbourne’s future. These focus areas include shaping the city, education and innovation, healthy places and people, and maximizing Melbourne’s title as Australia’s sports and arts capital.
Did You Know? Proposals like building the Airport Rail have been on the public agenda for years, while other considerations look at international models such as London’s congestion tax.
Public Voting and Policy Scopes
To kick-start public debate, organizers have gathered 20 different concepts for a more liveable Melbourne, stripping away budgets and timelines to keep the choices simple. Residents can vote on whether they like or dislike specific ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Melbourne Assembly?
It is a public forum hosted by The Age in October that brings together world-leading urban planners and Melbourne’s best thinkers to discuss crucial ideas for the city’s future.
What topics will be discussed at the forum?
Attendees will tackle shaping the city, education and innovation, healthy places and people, and maximizing Melbourne’s status as Australia’s sports and arts capital.
What kinds of ideas are being considered for the city?
Proposals include building a swimming pool on the Yarra River, making public transport free on weekends, banning Airbnb, building the Airport Rail, and introducing a congestion tax similar to London’s.
Which of the proposed ideas do you think would make the biggest difference to Melbourne’s liveability?
Worth a look