We gave the Merri-bek community a say in projects, initiatives, or programs that Council could be included as part of the 2026-27 Council Budget.

Stage 3: Outcomes

The budget has been influenced by ideas submitted during our community engagement in late 2025 and early 2026. In the first stage of engagement 40 projects and initiatives were submitted that met the criteria and made it through to stage 2.

In the second stage we ran a community voting program, including 6 pop-up sessions. A total of 410 people voted on their top three projects.

Council has allocated $400,000 towards 6 finalist initiatives that have been included in the proposed budget:

• Additional tree plantation across the municipality ($60,000)
• Cool playgrounds; safe kids - additional shade for our parks ($80,000)
• Building a risky playground alongside the playground upgrade at ATC Reserve, Glenroy ($145,000)
• Providing free band programs for youth ($5,000)
• Building five additional picnic tables at parks ($50,000)
• Providing free rehearsal, art production and group space subsidies ($60,000)