I’ve finalised this update while attending the cold and rainy Canberra “Behind the Scenes” event, “a unique initiative designed to strengthen engagement between local government professionals and Australian Federal Government departments”. Organised by LG Pro, the two-day program highlighted how complex issues cannot be addressed without strong collaboration across all three levels of government. Discussions covered a range of critical topics including housing, social cohesion, workforce skills, and renewable energy.
These conversations reinforced the importance of the work we are leading locally and the role our organisation plays in shaping national priorities.
Please see the updates below, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the relevant colleagues if you require further information.
New Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Procedure Template
This template has been introduced to streamline and enhance workplace safety and compliance. This will make it easier for employees to understand their responsibilities and required actions, while providing guidance for safer work environments.
The key benefits are:
- Easily identify and mitigate workplace hazards
- Ensure compliance with relevant OHS legislation
- Improve communication and training for employees
- Enhance overall workplace safety culture
The template is a practical tool to support OHS compliance, helping create a safer and healthier work environment for all employees and member of the public that use or visit our staffed facilities.
Safety Culture Survey - Coming Soon
We are pleased to confirm the commencement of the all-staff Safety Culture Survey, which will open at 9am, Monday 22 September 2025.
This survey is a key opportunity for every staff member to contribute to shaping the health and safety culture across Council workplaces. Your insights and experiences are vital in helping us build safer and supportive environments for all.
Keep an eye out for the survey link on the launch day. We encourage everyone to take part and make their voice heard.
Social Media - When things resonate
This month, we had a Facebook post outperform all other posts by a significant margin. Many of our posts get 10 to 50 engagements.
We posted our condolences in relation to the Victoria Police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, noting we’d lit up the Drum in blue and lowered the flags to half mast. It received almost 600 engagements in just a few days.
This demonstrates the importance of responding to our community’s sentiment. Everyone was thinking about the same thing and having similar feelings that week. It’s important to talk about what our audience is thinking about and feels strongly about, and at the right moment.
Often in corporate communications, we have a huge list of things Council wants to tell people. We need to keep asking ourselves – is this what they want to hear about, at this moment? What’s interesting to our people? Sometimes social media is for listening as well as telling.
Asset Plan
In June of 2025 Council approved the Asset Plan. This lays out the next 10 years of capital investment for Council. In addition following the Service Planning, the Asset Management team have been drafting the Asset Management Plans for each service, of which Year 1 feeds directly into the Renewal plans.
Over the next few weeks, the Asset Planning team will be touching base with each of the Service Managers to validate the renewal and capital programs.
Any questions can be directed to Russel Tait or Alison Saunders.
Council’s Community Connector– Referral Process
Council’s Community Connector offers grass root support and guidance to those in the community, providing connection, relationship and trust building opportunities.
The role focuses on:
- Providing emergency material aid support to vulnerable members of the community.
- Linking clients to local support services and collaborating with these services to build partnerships that best suit client’s needs.
- Supporting newly arrived refugees and referring them to relevant support services in CGD.
- Supporting clients to connect with employment and training opportunities.
- Helping community members to navigate pathways to seek the support they need for social connection and reducing isolation.
For further information please contact Arif Mohammad Azizi via email Mohammad.azizi@cgd.vic.gov.au or phone 8571 1641.
Online referrals can be made via this form.
Taskforce Advocacy in Canberra and Sydney
In 2018, Greater Dandenong City Council established the Mayoral and Councillor Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum. Since then, the Taskforce has grown to include over 40 councils across Australia. Greater Dandenong continues to provide Secretariat support, with the Mayor serving as Chair.
Last week, representatives of the Taskforce held 13 meetings in Canberra with Federal Members of Parliament and their staff. These meetings focused on the Back Your Neighbour national advocacy campaign.
Discussions centred on promoting fairness and support for people seeking asylum, particularly by raising awareness about visa uncertainty and improving access to essential services.
Additionally, Mayor Cr Jim Memeti attended seven meetings in Sydney, including one with Capital Cities Lord Mayors and others with Mayor and Councillor representatives from six Greater Sydney councils.
These meetings aimed to strengthen the national coalition of Taskforce councils and advance advocacy for inclusive communities and refugee protection. For more information on the campaign visit the Back Your Neighbour website.
Marjan Hajjari, Executive Manager Strategic Growth and Advocacy