Following Andrew Foley’s departure, I have been asked to temporarily take on the Corporate Services Directorate—excluding the Finance Department—alongside my current responsibilities in Strategic Growth and Advocacy. This interim arrangement began on 10 March and will remain in place until the end of June. I’m excited about this opportunity and look forward to working more closely with Nicole Rudden, Carolyn Altan, Mike Strong and their teams. I am also grateful to Peter Johnstone, Dani Johnson, Alison Saunders and the entire Strategic Growth and Advocacy team for their continued support throughout this transition.
Below are some highlights from the Strategic Growth and Advocacy team.
Rooming House Engagement Project
As part of the Empowering Communities Initiative, we have been partnering with the Dandenong West Community Action Group to deliver the Rooming House Engagement Project. The project seeks to better understand the rooming house landscape and explore ways in which challenges and concerns can be addressed.
The multi-stakeholder engagement project has recently facilitated the following consultations:
- Ten interviews with rooming house residents
- One broader community workshop
- Ten interviews with rooming house landlords/operators
- One regulator/service provider/peak body workshop
Findings from the engagement activities are now being synthesised into a final report, which will make a series of actionable recommendations to improve the rooming house system for all. Contact Marek Krol for more information.
Council’s Third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) redevelopment
Council has commenced the redevelopment of its Third Innovate RAP and held its first Internal Steering Committee Meeting. The structured redevelopment process incorporates extensive consultation and will enact Council’s new RAP Governance structure. Upcoming formal consultations are to be held with Bunurong Land Council and Council RAP Reference Group. We are delighted to welcome three Elders and five Community members as part of Council’s first RAP Reference Group consultations.
We are also delighted to announce Trawalway, Plermiernier and Bunurong Artist Aunty Heather Kennedy as the successful artist who will create the new RAP artwork design for use across Council. Aunty Heather’s artwork is scheduled to appear in the second draft RAP document that is sent through to Reconciliation Australia for their approval.
For further information, contact Siobhan Meechan.
Council Plan
The development of our new Council Plan 2025-29 is progressing well and Councillors will be reviewing the key priorities at Monday's Councillor Briefing Session. Once the priorities have been finalised the draft plan will be made public for final comment by our community in May. The new Council Plan is due to be approved by the end of June to ensure a smooth transition into the new financial year.
Integrated Planning Framework
We are currently working on enhancing our integrated planning framework and reviewing the number of polices, strategies and plans that exist across the organisation. The purpose of reviewing and enhancing the framework is to:
- Strengthen our holistic planning approach
- Ensure our key strategic documents interact and inform each another and provide maximum benefit to our community
- Align all strategies, plans and policies with the Council Plan and Community Vision
- Provide direction on when a strategy/plan is required or whether it should be a policy or guideline
- Ensure consistency of Council’s approach in the development of documents
- Provide transparent and accountable reporting mechanisms, and
- Ensure effective monitoring and review
Consultation is currently underway with the leadership group and more information will be shared when a draft is approved by ET.
10 Year Asset Plan
The development of the Council Asset Plan 2025–2035 is well underway. As required under Section 92 of the Local Government Act 2020, all councils must prepare a 10-year Asset Plan to guide the management and renewal of public infrastructure and facilities. This plan plays a critical role in ensuring that our community assets continue to meet current and future needs, supporting sustainable growth and service delivery.
The Asset Plan will be released for community consultation alongside the Council Plan and Long-Term Financial Plan. This integrated approach allows residents, businesses and stakeholders to provide feedback on the priorities and investments that will shape our city's future.
Marjan Hajjari, Executive Manager Strategic Growth and Advocacy