Melbourne’s Inner South Metropolitan Councils have joined forces to advocate for meaningful policy reforms ahead of the November state election.
The Inner South Metropolitan Mayor’s Forum (ISMMF), which includes Bayside, Boroondara, Glen Eira and Kingston City Councils, has called on the major parties to collaborate with them to address the major challenges faced by the region’s combined 614,577 residents.
Representing one in eight Melburnians, and spanning 13 state electorates, the Councils have partnered to push for planning reforms, a pipeline of new open space opportunities, more social and affordable housing, and sustainable maternal and child health services.
Glen Eira City Council Mayor, Jim Magee, said the ISMMF was a partnership established to advocate for change on the issues affecting Melbourne’s inner south.
“Through strong community engagement with our communities, we’ve listened closely to understand what the inner south wants the next Victorian Government to help councils deliver,” Mayor Magee said.
“In the lead up to the election, we will put forward — with a shared voice — tangible solutions that the next Victorian Government can implement immediately to deliver on these priorities.”
Boroondara City Council Mayor, Jane Addis, said the ISMMF will lobby election candidates, and the Victorian Government to allow their local communities to have a genuine say about what happens in their neighbourhoods.
“The Victorian Government has dramatically changed our planning system to reduce the opportunity for councils and their communities to genuinely participate in the decision making affecting their lives,” Mayor Addis said.
Kingston City Council Mayor, Steve Staikos, said that the ISMMF is advocating for a pipeline of new open space opportunities to boost community health and wellbeing for the region’s growing population.
“There are immediate opportunities to deliver new green open spaces, but we can’t do it without the State Government’s support,” Mayor Staikos said.
Bayside City Council Mayor, Alex del Porto, said that the Victorian Government must partner with Local Government to deliver sustainable affordable housing and maternal and child health services.
“Our communities must be liveable and accessible with a focus on health and wellbeing,” Mayor del Porto said.
“That’s why we’re calling on the next Victorian Government to maximise the potential benefit of the Big Housing Build and fund its fair share of maternal and child health services.”
