Fundamentally, the Roadmap responds to government policy settings that will impact the City of Yarra today and into the future, with the Victorian Government designating the City of Yarra as an 'activity centre', with a target of 44,000 new dwellings by 2050.
Yarra has limited land, ageing assets, and an existing need for more open space and community infrastructure. Securing funding and unused government land to deliver open space and community infrastructure to match the growth requires strong advocacy to the Victorian and Federal governments.
Governments must also ensure that fit for purpose trunk infrastructure is in place and fully accessible transport services are available for the growing population.
Very importantly, Council is calling on the Victorian Government to consult genuinely with Council and the community on planning reforms and local developments which will shape our City for generations to come.
The Roadmap highlights advocacy on a wide range of Council policy positions and priorities, including Council's strong opposition to the closure of bulk-billing general practitioner clinics in Collingwood and Fitzroy and the wholesale demolition of the public housing towers without evidence that refurbishment is not an option.
Council's long-standing support for medically supervised injecting as a proven, compassionate and evidence-based approach to saving lives is also part of the Roadmap. It calls for the relocation of the North Richmond facility to a more appropriate site. It also calls on the Victorian Government to provide expanded rehabilitation and recovery services.
The Roadmap also highlights the need for more social and affordable housing, kindergarten places, library services, maternal and child health services, dog parks, playgrounds, sports grounds, and much more.
Further advocacy activities will be undertaken on climate action, support for the most vulnerable in our community, for our businesses, and to make our streets safer.
It's important that in the lead up to the state election in November 2026, Council draws the attention of all local candidates to matters that our community cares about.
The Roadmap highlights eight key requests of candidates, including support for Council's key worker affordable housing proposal, the release of unused government land at 2 River Street, Richmond for community use, the need for more and accessible community infrastructure and open space in the right places, and support for our unique live music industry.
The Advocacy Roadmap 2025-29 will be published on Council's Website in the coming days.
