Her decision stands in contrast to Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp, who in March announced she would step down after six years, saying it was time to move on.
Moore said a sixth term would give her the opportunity to continue Green Square’s transformation into a high-density urban precinct, and see through the rejuvenation of Oxford Street, which was “on the cusp of a renaissance”.
Clover Moore said she would continue to focus on climate change, greening the city, and affordable housing with good design.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Commentary about the poor state of Oxford Street has intensified recently due to construction delays with the Oxford & Foley redevelopment, which spans three blocks leased by the city to investment house AsheMorgan for 99 years.
Moore acknowledged the strip looked “sad” of late, but said the forthcoming cycleway – funded jointly with the state government – would be a catalyst for its revival. “City-making takes time … Oxford Street is a particularly good example of that,” she said.
“You’ve got to do the research, you’ve got to do the consultation, you’ve got to get it right. None of our projects have gone off the rails – because we’ve done all that, and we’re very thorough.
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“But it takes time. And so [20 years] might seem a long time in terms of people who only stay in a job one or two years, but we’ve had this fantastic opportunity of seeing the long view and making the long commitment and then seeing it through.”
The council’s leadership has not changed for more than a decade. In addition to Moore’s service, chief executive Monica Barone has held her position since 2006, Graham Jahn has been director of planning since 2009, and chief operating officer Kim Woodbury was appointed in 2010.
Asked about mistakes or areas to improve, Moore said: “I don’t think I personally make mistakes because I’m careful about what I do. But it’s a very large organisation made up of a lot of human beings, and things can happen. But remarkably, not a lot has happened.”
She noted last year’s outcry over missed garbage collection but said she was unfairly blamed for an industrial dispute involving contractor Cleanaway. “It didn’t have anything to with us.”
She also said she shared people’s frustration about the time it was taking to remove contaminated mulch from some city parks. “We’re increasing the person-power to try and move that along.”
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Moore’s re-election tilt has been widely expected since she told the Herald last year she was afraid Labor or the Liberals would win control of Sydney if she did not run. “I don’t think it would be good for the city if I don’t continue,” she said in August.
On Monday, she said she enjoyed a good relationship with Premier Chris Minns and Arts Minister John Graham, but rejected Minns’ criticism that her council had not permitted enough residential development in the CBD.
In December, the City of Sydney drafted new planning controls to encourage build-to-rent apartments in the CBD, which are awaiting approval from the state government.
Moore said one of the ideas she would champion if re-elected was an extension of the light rail down Broadway, and onwards to Green Square. She was also looking at a creative land trust to establish and maintain space for artists in the city, modelled on a London initiative.
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