Tonight’s Council meeting encompassed the release of the Draft Plan for Port Phillip (the four-year Council Plan) and the proposed draft Budget for 2025-26. The Council Plan guides Council’s priorities over the next four years, with the annual budget aligned with the direction established through the Plan.

Both documents have been released for public comment to inform their finalisation. Details on providing feedback is available at Plan for Port Phillip (including budget) 2025-35 | Have Your Say Port Phillip

Tonight’s meeting also included the adoption of the Conversation Management Plan for Port Melbourne Town Hall, which will forward plan the actions required to maintain this cherished and historic community asset.

Draft Plan for Port Phillip (including Budget)

Tonight’s meeting endorsed both the draft four year Council Plan and the Annual Budget.

The Council Plan is one of the most important priorities of any newly elected Council, as it establishes the strategic direction of the Council over the next four years.

I’m pleased that the draft Council Plan and Budget deliver on priorities for Montague Ward and our community:

• Increased cleaning frequency along Bay Street to improve amenity and street maintenance.
• Delivery of a community and social infrastructure plan that will map current community activities, ability to accommodate growth and anticipate future needs.
• Delivery of a new off-leash dog park at Fennell Street, Port Melbourne, delivering the first fenced off-leash park within Fishermans Bend and Port Melbourne.
• An additional local law officer, as well as a budget allocation for community safety initiatives.
• Reallocation of $450,000 from St Kilda to facilitate localised community inclusion and art projects.
• Increased funding for Southport Daylinks to continue delivery of its transport services for aged care and disability recipients.
• Indexation of grant funding for community services, including Southport Community Centre and Port Phillip Community Group.
• A review of Governance Rules to strengthen transparency and community engagement.

The community and social infrastructure plan is of particular importance as it will finally provide the City of Port Phillip with a roadmap for the facilities and services we need to accommodate anticipated growth in Fishermans Bend and our wider community.

Feedback on both the Plan and Budget can be provided at Plan for Port Phillip (including budget) 2025-35 | Have Your Say Port Phillip until 18 May, and a Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 13 May to provide an opportunity for verbal submissions.

Delivery of the Council Plan and Budget will be supported through performances measures, which I intend to align with the community satisfaction survey, providing a robust evaluation of Council’s delivery.

Conservation Management Plan: Port Melbourne Town Hall

The Port Melbourne Town Hall, first built in 1882 with later extensions, is an iconic community landmark and facility within Port Melbourne.

Tonight’s meeting formally endorsed an updated Conservation Management Plan to preserve the Town Hall and ensure it remains available for civic and community uses.

Growing up in Ringwood, many of our community would often lament at the former City of Ringwood’s short-sighted decision to demolish the Ringwood Town Hall back in the 1970s, we are fortunate in Port Melbourne to have not only retained the Port Melbourne Town Hall, but also ensure it continues to be available for our community.

Thank you to the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society for your input into the Conservation Management Plan.