The Local Government Act 2020 guides how councils develop their Council Plan and update the Community Vision. The Council Plan outlines our strategic direction and guides our decisions over the next four years.
To develop the Merri-bek Council Plan, our 11 Councillors reviewed what they have heard from their constituents and what the Merri-bek community has shared about what is most important to them over the past 4 years. You can read more about what was reviewed in the Community Context Report.
Our Community Vision
Our updated Community Vision is a foundation for Merri-bek's Council Plan. It also informs our 10-year Financial Plan, and 10-year Asset Plan which we will be engaging on soon. Our community vision reflects the community’s long-term hopes for Merri-bek.
A Community Vision is designed to articulate the long-term hopes that the community has for the municipality. Visit our Community Panel page to read more about how we worked with Merri-bek communities to refresh the Vision.
Our Council Plan
The Council Plan is divided into 5 focus areas that outline our strategic objectives and the initiatives needed to achieve the Community Vision. It includes clear indicators to measure our progress over the next four years.
We want to protect our environment, make our streets cooler and greener, and involve our community in caring for the climate.
We will achieve this by:
- Adding more trees and plants to make our streets and parks greener and cooler.
- Improving our natural spaces and waterways for people and wildlife to enjoy.
- Using eco-friendly ideas in building homes, roads, and public facilities around Merri-bek.
- Supporting and encouraging the local community efforts to fight climate change.
We want to create a safe, fair, and welcoming place where everyone can access services, housing, and spaces to enjoy and connect.
We will achieve this by:
- Providing accessible spaces, facilities, and programs that support community health and safety.
- Helping all people, especially those on low incomes, find good housing and support their wellbeing.
- Providing affordable activities and spaces for youth, seniors, and families to participate and feel independent.
- Supporting local food initiatives to increase access to healthy, affordable food.
We want to make streets and public spaces safe, nice, and easy to use so everyone can enjoy and be proud of where they live.
We will achieve this by:
- Keeping public places, spaces, and areas well maintained, safe, and inviting for community use.
- Fixing and improving streets and footpaths to make them more friendly for walking and riding.
- Encouraging walking, riding bikes, and scooting, especially for getting to school.
- Making it easier and safer to use public transport to move around.
We want to create a vibrant community with thriving local businesses and a strong arts and culture scene that brings people together.
We will achieve this by:
- Developing busy shopping and activity areas that are attractive, green and inviting.
- Attracting new businesses and encouraging investment to create more jobs in Merri-bek.
- Supporting local shops and traders makes it easier for them to do business and succeed.
- Promoting and supporting local art, festivals, and events celebrating our community’s diversity.
We are here to serve the community.
We will achieve this by:
- Providing high-quality services and responding quickly to community needs.
- Communicating better using many different ways to include everyone’s ideas and feedback.
- Working with other levels of government to advocate for community priorities.
- Being honest and transparent about how money is spent and how decisions are made.
Our Council Plan also integrates our Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing plan, which guides how we support the health and wellbeing of our community.
Council plays an important role in shaping the places where people live, work, learn and play, helping to create environments that support healthy lifestyles and reduce inequality.
This plan was shaped by the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, the Merri-bek Health and Wellbeing Profile, what we heard from the community and our stakeholders, and considering the areas where Council can make the biggest difference.
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Longer term strategic documents
Our Council Plan outlines medium-term community needs and aspirations over the next 4 years.
We are also reviewing longer term documents as part of this process. These 10 year plans will available for your comment soon:
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Asset Plan
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To receive updates when the draft plans are published hit the +Follow button at the top of this page.
