Former Carlton Premiership player Anthony Koutoufides has ditched the sherrin for a suit and tie and is running for mayor in October this year.
He's used to stepping outside his comfort zone, and while running for mayor isn't a longtime dream, he's always looking for ways to challenge himself.
Whether it was winning Dancing with the Stars or winning the 1995 AFL Premiership, Koutoufides said “hard work, dedication and discipline” were the words that stuck with him throughout his illustrious career.
Reflecting on his time playing in the AFL, the mayoral candidate said his versatility as a player and ability to play in all positions despite his large frame “changed the game”.
Once in City Hall, he hopes to transfer his disciplined and well-rounded approach to the world of football to the City Council, seeing it as a new opportunity to improve himself and improve not only his character but the city of Melbourne.
Team Kota's ticket includes former Carlton greats as well as property developer Intarji Khan as deputy mayoral candidate, former federal Liberal MP Gladys Liu and fellow commercial property developer as council candidate. There is Mr. Zaim Ramani.
Mr Koutoufides says love for Melbourne is at the heart of Team Kouta's campaign, with a range of initiatives to bring people back to the CBD, tighten electric scooter regulations and even run free outdoor fitness classes. He has vowed to try new measures.
If elected in October, Mr Koutoufides will focus the first six months of his term on attracting people back to the CBD, as traders struggle with high office vacancies and working from home.
“Small businesses are leaving the city in alarming numbers and the situation will only get worse if we don't act now,” he said.
The City of Melbourne needs people back. We need to act now and provide incentives to get our cities moving again before it's too late.
To combat this, mayoral candidates have proposed creating one-time grants of up to $5,000 for up to 1,000 businesses signing new leases in the CBD in 2025.
Additionally, to attract people to the city, Mr Koutoufides proposed that the council work with state governments and public transport operators to bring subsidized public transport into the CBD one day a week.
He also plans to boost coffee in Melbourne by offering city workers the ability to buy free coffee through a program similar to the voucher scheme offered to lure people back to restaurants after COVID-19. He also plans to use his “affection” for.
“Most Melburnians love coffee and our cafes are world-famous for it. So if you're going out of your way to be in the CBD on a Monday, we'll grab you a cup of coffee.” he said.
If elected, he would see stricter restrictions on electric scooters enforced through the introduction of designated storage areas, as part of Team Kota's plan to “bring life back” to the city.
“Similar to bike racks, this allows people commuting on electric scooters to know where to get on and off their vehicles. And this technology could result in financial penalties of up to $100. “It is such that animals cannot be left outside the designated areas,” he said.
Mr Koutoufides said there was space for bikes and electric scooters in Melbourne, but a better balance was urgently needed to ensure customers had short and cheap parking and businesses had enough on-street parking. said.
Mr Koutoufides also said he would reduce the number of bike lanes to achieve this balance, as he believes too many bike lanes are installed and take away valuable parking spaces.
The journey from the MCG to City Hall may not be a path taken by many, but Mr Koutoufides has used his experience in the big leagues to make Melbourne 'happy' and 'happy' through free weekly exercise sessions in squares across the city. I want to be healthy.
“As technology impacts our lifestyles, we must continue to exercise and move our bodies to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Providing incentives can only have positive benefits for our city,” he said.
Koutufides agreed to run for mayor only three months ago after being approached last year, but he is ready to do everything he can for the city he loves.
“We want to make it the most livable city in the world again. We need to reinvigorate it,” he said. •
