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- Social housing – commitment to upgrade all outdated public housing estate developments in Prahran and South Yarra to improve community integration and liveability for public and social housing residents.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
Other advocacy success stories
During 2022, we’ve also secured a range of grants from other levels of governments as part of our advocacy efforts:
- $1.57m for Outdoor Economy Package – COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Fund (Victorian Government: Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions)
- $596,364 for improvements to community facilities and playgrounds at Orrong Romanis Reserve in Prahran and Central Park in Malvern East (Australian Government: Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program)
- $500,000 for Windsor BMX Park upgrade (Victorian Government: 2022/23 Budget)
- $420,000 for School Focused Youth Services (Victorian Government: Department of Education and Training)
- $300,000 for air-conditioning at Phoenix Park Community Centre (Australian Government: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Community Development Grants Programme)
- $250,000 for floodlighting at Central Park in Malvern East (Victorian Government: 2021-22 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund)
- $120,000 for TAC Local Government Grant Program (Victorian Government: Transport Accident Commission)
- $40,000 for Stonnington Transfer Station upgrade business case (Victorian Government: Recycling Victoria)
- $40,000 for Regional Materials Flows Analysis - a cities lens. Joint grant in partnership with the City of Boroondara (Victorian Government: Recycling Victoria).