1. A global city

As a prosperous, global city, Melbourne will be influential in the world network of global cities. As a global city, Melbourne will attract global investment, compete in world markets and participate in global issues. Melbourne's knowledge industry will attract a skilled and talented workforce from around the world and support a diverse range of leading international, national and local businesses. Melbourne will connect with the world through state of the art transport and telecommunications infrastructure.

In today's ultra-connected world, we no longer think of ourselves as belonging in one place. People move jobs, cities and countries with ease, while businesses jump from opportunity to opportunity. Ideas spread quickly via the internet and media, and money flows around the globe faster than ever.

Cities that have adapted to this flexible and fast-moving new culture are global cities. Melbourne is recognised as a global city. We are a global centre for the accounting and advertising industries, and hold significant standing as a centre for banking and legal services. Melbourne has an international reputation in architecture, engineering services and bio-medical science. In 2008, the Mastercard Worldwide Centres of Commerce Index ranked Melbourne 41 out of 75 top financial cities. Sydney was ranked 12.

Melbourne will build on its strengths and provide infrastructure and services that will continue to attract leading service firms. We must now ensure our telecommunications, transport and mobility infrastructure support a growing global role for the city. Our airport is a fantastic start, connecting Melbourne with Australia and the world. However, the rising cost of fuel may impact on the cost/availability of air travel and freight, so other options must be available. Here the internet presents a major opportunity for Melbourne as a geographically remote city to lead in creating strong, virtual connections with other cities around the world.

Our business community can only engage in global trade, investment, tourism and major events if the right infrastructure and skilled workers are available. We must work with the business community to ensure future developments will match current and emerging business models.

Being a global city is not just about business. As a capital city, Melbourne must lead by example in balancing global and local needs, ensuring growth is managed responsibly to mitigate the impact on climate change, human rights and other global issues.

As well as attracting the world's attention, Melbourne must also have the attention of its local community as a global city is a city in which people collaborate not only across borders - but also across town. Major events bring locals into the city along with national and international visitors. Our local communities must feel connected to, and proud of, their city to ensure our major events have excellent attendance and are a positive experience for all.

Goals	Indicators	Outcomes
A global centre of commerce Melbourne is a global centre of commerce, a driver in world markets and influential in global issues.	Mastercard Worldwide Centres of Commerce Index . Target: Melbourne to be in the top 20 world centres of commerce. Current: 2008 - 41st of the 75 world centres. 2007 - 34th in the 50 world centres. (Sydney 2008 - 12th and 2007 - 14th)	Melbourne is one of the world's main centres of commerce instrumental in driving the global economy.
Attract skilled and talented workers The world's most skilled and talented workers, leading researchers and students are attracted to Melbourne for its vibrant knowledge economy, competitive business environment, liveability and diversity.	Target: top 10 most innovative global cities Current: 2007 Melbourne ranked 8th out of 95 global cities for innovation ¹	Melbourne is an international centre for knowledge and innovation in its education, research and business communities and has built on its strengths in science and design.
Infrastructure to support global connectivity High quality communications and passenger and freight transport infrastructure enable effective global business and cultural connections.	Business perceptions of international positioning of Melbourne. Current: 2006 - six per cent said there was room for improvement. ² Number of international and domestic visitors Current: 2006-07 - 4,532,000 international and 17,806,000 domestic visitors accessed Melbourne Airport³	Businesses are well connected to and competitive with the rest of the world virtually as well as by sea and air.
Leadership in business environment Melbourne is home to international financial and legal firms, corporations and institutions that have influence over the world economy.	Perception of creating business opportunities from international economies. Current: 2006 - 61 per cent of businesses rated good or excellent, with 10 per cent saying improvement is necessary. ⁴ Number of global accounting firms represented in Melbourne. BRW 2006 Top 100 Accounting Firms Current: indicator to be developed.	Melbourne is a recognised leader on emerging global issues in the international business world. An increasing number of leading international companies choose to make Melbourne their head office location.
Strong international relationships Build strong international connections though sister city relationships, inter city business and cultural exchanges, conventions and conferences and international students and researchers.	Number of international conferences held in the municipality. Current: indicator to be developed. Number of international students registered in universities' alumni. Current: indicator to be developed.	The municipality has strong international relationships built on: cross cultural understandings and social cohesion; local businesses making international connections through conferences; and enduring connections with former international students.

Goals

Indicators

Outcomes

A global centre of commerce

Melbourne is a global centre of commerce, a driver in world markets and influential in global issues.

Mastercard Worldwide Centres of Commerce Index .

Target: Melbourne to be in the top 20 world centres of commerce.

Current: 2008 - 41st of the 75 world centres. 2007 - 34th in the 50 world centres. (Sydney 2008 - 12th and 2007 - 14th)

Melbourne is one of the world's main centres of commerce instrumental in driving the global economy.

Attract skilled and talented workers

The world's most skilled and talented workers, leading researchers and students are attracted to Melbourne for its vibrant knowledge economy, competitive business environment, liveability and diversity.

Target: top 10 most innovative global cities

Current: 2007 Melbourne ranked 8th out of 95 global cities for innovation ¹

Melbourne is an international centre for knowledge and innovation in its education, research and business communities and has built on its strengths in science and design.

Infrastructure to support global connectivity

High quality communications and passenger and freight transport infrastructure enable effective global business and cultural connections.

Business perceptions of international positioning of Melbourne.

Current: 2006 - six per cent said there was room for improvement. ²

Number of international and domestic visitors

Current: 2006-07 - 4,532,000 international and 17,806,000 domestic visitors accessed Melbourne Airport³

Businesses are well connected to and competitive with the rest of the world virtually as well as by sea and air.

Leadership in business environment

Melbourne is home to international financial and legal firms, corporations and institutions that have influence over the world economy.

Perception of creating business opportunities from international economies.

Current: 2006 - 61 per cent of businesses rated good or excellent, with 10 per cent saying improvement is necessary. ⁴

Number of global accounting firms represented in Melbourne. BRW 2006 Top 100 Accounting Firms

Current: indicator to be developed.

Melbourne is a recognised leader on emerging global issues in the international business world.

An increasing number of leading international companies choose to make Melbourne their head office location.

Strong international relationships

Build strong international connections though sister city relationships, inter city business and cultural exchanges, conventions and conferences and international students and researchers.

Number of international conferences held in the municipality.

Current: indicator to be developed.

Number of international students registered in universities' alumni.

Current: indicator to be developed.

The municipality has strong international relationships built on: cross cultural understandings and social cohesion; local businesses making international connections through conferences; and enduring connections with former international students.