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Advocacy

Our Council Plan 2021-2025 identifies key advocacy priorities of:

Sustainable growth and development, while protecting our unique character and liveability
Deliver and advocate for sustainable and enjoyable pedestrian, cycling and public transport options to enable our 20-minute neighbourhoods, and
Support and advocate for the health and wellbeing of those in our community.

Victorian election – 26 November 2022

The Victorian election took place on Saturday 26 November, Stonnington is part of two electorates: Malvern and Prahran. Mr Michael O'Brien MP was re-elected to the Malvern electorate and Mr Sam Hibbins MP was ere-elected to the Prahran electorate.

We will continue to work with both elected officials to seek support for key advocacy priorities across different project and policy areas:

Malvern electorate - funding requests

Electrification of Harold Holt Swim Centre to reduce emissions at one of Council’s largest community sites.
Upgrades to Bert Healy Pavilion, including development of female changerooms.
Synthetic turf redevelopment at Birrell Reserve in Sir Zelman Reserve to expand the capacity of the oval to provide for organised sport and casual use.
Redevelopment of East Malvern Tennis Club with modern standards.

Prahran electorate - funding requests

Prahran Market sustainability focussed upgrades and improvements.
Regional accessible playground facility at Orrong Romanis Reserve.
Development of a future facing early years community hub at Princes Gardens.
Development of a business case at Prahran Town Hall as part of establishing an arts and entertainment precinct in the area.

Both electorates - funding requests

Public electric vehicle charging stations.
Support pocket park developments in Armadale, Prahran and South Yarra to increase open space.

Policy priorites (seeking influence over Victorian Government policy)

Planning – retaining local decision making.
Transport – commitment to remove three level crossings in Malvern electorate.
Transport – continued support of Strategic Cycling Corridors.
Transport - train station upgrades across Stonnington, including accessibility improvements.
Social housing – commitment to upgrade all outdated public housing estate developments in Prahran and South Yarra to improve community integration and liveability for public and social housing residents.
Cladding and building regulation changes – stop shift of cost and responsibility to local government.
Social housing – retaining rates on community housing developments.

More information on our priorities(PDF, 5MB)

Federal election – May 2022

A federal election was held on Saturday 21 May, Stonnington is part of the Higgins electorate and Dr Ananda-Rajah of the Australian Labor Party was elected as our local representative.

We are pleased to have secured local funding commitments from the Australian Labor Party as a result of our advocacy work during the election:

$1m for Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot) - Tooronga wetland
$250,000 to Rewilding Stonnington (Kooyong to Heyington Nature Walk and a South Yarra-Prahran-Windsor Indigenous Heritage Walk)
$25,000 to Wattletree Early Childhood Centre