Advocacy

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

  1. Sustainable growth and development, while protecting our unique character and liveability
  2. Deliver and advocate for sustainable and enjoyable pedestrian, cycling and public transport options to enable our 20-minute neighbourhoods, and
  3. 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  • Social housing – commitment to upgrade all outdated public housing estate developments in Prahran and South Yarra to improve community integration and liveability for public and social housing residents.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).
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