Renewing Clover Point

Clover Point is one of Victoria’s special places. It belongs to all of us.

But what happened at Clover Point has divided Victorians. I don’t believe that division was inevitable. Much of it came from how the changes were rolled out and from a process that did not engage citizens early enough, broadly enough or meaningfully enough before fundamental decisions were made.

I don’t think an issue is solved when half the city is happy and the other half is angry.

When that happens, it tells me that the leadership and process at City Hall are not working for all Victorians. A Mayor should endeavour to bring people together, listen across differences and find solutions that work for as many people as possible.

That is how I want to approach Clover Point.

Renew Clover Point

I support a citizen-led renewal of Clover Point that starts by recognizing how people actually use this remarkable waterfront space.

The current picnic-table-heavy design does not make sense to many of the people I have spoken with, especially in one of Victoria’s most consistently windy and exposed locations.

I believe we should look at removing or relocating poorly used tables and redesigning the space around its real strengths: extraordinary ocean views, walking, cycling, storm watching, gathering and simply sitting by the sea.

But these are ideas, not a finished plan.

Many of the ideas I am putting forward here have come directly from listening to my neighbours and people who use Clover Point. That is exactly how I believe the next Clover Point should be built: with the citizens who actually use the space.

Restore Access to the Ocean

I want Clover Point to be accessible whether you arrive on foot, by bicycle, using a mobility device, by public transit or in a vehicle.

That means looking seriously at how people actually get there.

I also support maintaining vehicle access and exploring better accessible parking and safe passenger drop-off areas close to the waterfront.

For some seniors and people with disabilities, being able to drive close to the ocean, or simply sit in a vehicle and enjoy the view, is itself an important form of accessibility. We should not design them out of one of Victoria’s most beautiful public spaces.

At the same time, we can continue to make Clover Point safer and more welcoming for people walking, cycling and using mobility devices. These ways of getting around do not need to be put in competition with one another.

I would also explore adding EV charging stations. If someone is spending an hour walking, storm watching, enjoying the view or sitting by the ocean, why not give them the option of charging their vehicle while they are there?

Accessibility means designing public spaces for different bodies, different ages and different ways of getting around.

Let Citizens Design the Next Clover Point

Before another major redesign is approved, I would establish a Clover Point Citizens Committee or Citizens’ Assembly to help develop the options.

Residents, accessibility advocates, Indigenous Nations, nearby neighbourhood representatives, seniors, youth, pedestrians, cyclists, people who arrive by vehicle and other regular users should all have a meaningful place in that process.

Instead of asking citizens whether they like a plan after City Hall has already made the fundamental decisions, start by asking people what they need Clover Point to be.

That process should include public workshops, accessibility reviews, on-site engagement at Clover Point and multiple design options presented publicly before Council makes a final decision.

The goal should not be to determine which side wins.

The goal should be to listen carefully enough that we find the common ground beneath the disagreement and build something better together.

A Different Way of Leading City Hall

Clover Point is about more than picnic tables, parking spaces or traffic patterns. It is an example of what can happen when people feel decisions about the places they love are being made without them.

I believe we have more in common than we think.

People may disagree about individual changes at Clover Point, but most of us want the same fundamental things: a beautiful waterfront, public access, accessibility, safety, responsible use of public space and a Clover Point that future generations can continue to enjoy.

Good leadership should start from those shared values.

A Mayor should not be satisfied when a decision leaves large numbers of neighbours feeling ignored or angry. Sometimes disagreement is unavoidable, and no decision will please everyone. But City Hall should always endeavour to make its processes work for as many Victorians as possible.

That means listening before deciding.

It means bringing people with different perspectives into the same process.

And it means being willing to change course when something is not working.

Protect Victoria’s Gems

I want Clover Point to establish a better standard for major changes to Victoria’s treasured public places.

When City Hall proposes significant changes to parks, waterfronts, neighbourhood centres and other places with deep community importance, proactive citizen engagement should happen before the design is settled, not after.

Depending on the project, that could mean neighbourhood committees, citizen advisory panels, on-site engagement or Citizens’ Assemblies with the time, information and authority necessary to genuinely influence the outcome.

Clover Point belongs to the people of Victoria. Its future should be shaped with them.

My commitment

Renew access. Improve the space. Listen before deciding.

I have ideas for Clover Point. My neighbours have many more.

When I am elected Mayor, we will put those ideas on the table together and build the next Clover Point through a process that respects the people who actually use and love this remarkable place.

That is how I believe City Hall should work.

I trust my neighbours.

We can do better, together.