Melbourne felt like the most exciting place in the world. It will again - Brisbane Times

Loading

But it seemed some of the gloss was wearing off my city. The traffic was becoming intolerable, the weather more extreme and unpredictable and underground train works had transformed the CBD into a deafening obstacle course. It was hard to even get to my favourite Indian restaurant. I looked with envy across the Tasman at Wellington, my former home town, once a dreary cultural desert, now a vibrant, exciting food and cultural hub, decreed by Lonely Planet “the coolest little capital''.

Now, we ponder what our post-lockdown city will be. “Never be the same again,” friends wail. I’m sure that’s true. Social distancing is here indefinitely and crammed into those little bars and eateries hardly accommodates personal space. City of Melbourne research paints a gloomy picture of businesses failing and other precincts such as Chapel Street have similar warnings.

An Australian Bureau of Statistics survey found nearly a quarter of businesses on coronavirus life support expect not to reopen when that ends– one in 10. The Restaurant and Catering Association reportedly believes around 10 per cent of businesses have already closed because of COVID-19.

It’s easy to feel glum, to lament the passing of the Melbourne we knew and loved. But amid this wallow I’m discovering a few green shoots are appearing; it is possible to be optimistic. We have a chance to remake our city as the city we want. The NGV is planning fantastic exhibitions, Myer’s Christmas windows have been saved, artists and musicians are working on bringing us socially distanced live culture. As for closing streets and laneways for outdoor dining, how good will that be? To the former food critic who says, “that’s not Melbourne”, I say: it is now.

Sure, I’ll be off to Wellington first chance I get. But when I return to Melbourne, as I always do, I’m hopeful that once again I will step off the plane with a sense of anticipation, that one day Melbourne will again seem like the most exciting place in the world.

Sue Green is a Melbourne writer.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"exciting" - Google News
October 04, 2020 at 07:00PM
https://ift.tt/3ivN29B

Melbourne felt like the most exciting place in the world. It will again - Brisbane Times
"exciting" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2GLT7hy
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Bagikan Berita Ini