Advocating on behalf of our community | Yarra City Council

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Advocating on behalf of our community

Find out more about how we advocate for the benefit of our community and learn about shared advocacy projects.

Advocacy, representing the views and needs of the community, is a core function for all councils.

We advocate for projects and initiatives that are important to our community, and will help create a climate-safe, equitable and liveable city.

Advocacy can include lobbying for funding, seeking policy changes or reforms and working with government departments and agencies to deliver joint projects.

Our Advocacy Action Plan [ PDF, 3.04 MB] sets out our key positions across several policy areas, including:

Climate
Landfill
Transport
Arts and culture
Land use and planning
Public, social and affordable housing
Public Health and well-being
Early years, education and young people
Financial sustainability

Our partners and joint advocacy efforts

We work cooperatively with nine inner Melbourne councils to represent and advocate for the advancement of these communities. This work is undertaken through an agreed M9 Memorandum of Understanding.

Learn more about M9

We also work closely with a range of government partners (federal and state), peak bodies and organisations to deliver joint advocacy and projects that support positive outcomes for our community, including:

Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) LGPro Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) Metropolitan Transport Forum Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)

Latest advocacy news

Victorian Government funds Richmond Youth Hub and Learning Bank

Council welcomes the Victorian Government announcement it will continue to fund two of Yarra’s most important community and business supports services.

Victorian Government announces $200,000 funding for new futsal court

Yarra City Council welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement today that it will contribute $200,000 to fund a new all-weather synthetic futsal court on the Atherton Reserve in Fitzroy. Atherton Reserve is Fitzroy’s largest open space and highly valued by the whole community. Fitzroy is one of Yarra’s fasted growing populations.

Yarra advocates for our community through Parliamentary Inquiry

We’ve been ensuring that the interests of our community are represented in Victorian Government feedback processes.

Yarra welcomes Federal Government commitment to revitalise Linear Park

The Federal government has committed $3.75m for the Linear Park in Fitzroy North.

Member for Cooper visits Yambla Pavilion ahead of upgrade

This week, Yarra City Council welcomed the Federal Member for Cooper, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, the Hon Ged Kearney MP to tour the Yambla Pavilion.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy visits all-electric leisure centre

This month, Yarra City Council welcomed the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, and the Federal Member for Cooper the Hon Ged Kearney MP to tour the Collingwood Leisure Centre (CLC).

Yarra wins $2.25M to upgrade the Yambla Pavilion, $2.9 for Leisure Centre upgrad

After sustained advocacy from Council, the Australian Government has announced Council has secured two Thriving Suburbs grants totaling more than $5m to improve community infrastructure and climate outcomes.The first grant of $2.915 million is to upgrade the Collingwood Leisure Centre (CLC) from gas to electricity and to improve cooling and dehumidification of the pool and spa hall.

Yarra City Council secures $2 million in funding for road safety initiatives

Yarra City Council will receive $2 million in funding from the Victorian Government through the Safe Local Roads and Streets Program, which is providing $210 million to improve the safety of local roads across Victoria.

PTV announce major upgrade to bus route 546 following Council advocacy

Public Transport Victoria (PTV) have announced major upgrade for bus services on route 546.

Yarra is advocating through local, state and national partnerships

Council has been collaborating with the local government sector to advocate on shared interests and goals for local governments across Melbourne, Victoria and Australia.

Submission to Victorian Inquiry into Local Government Funding and Services

Yarra City Council has lodged its submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry providing local insights into how we make our community liveable, productive and sustainable.

$600,000 awarded to Yarra to upgrade dog parks in Fitzroy and Clifton Hill

A total of $600,000 will be awarded to develop much-needed green open space for our community to exercise, relax or enjoy the outdoors with their dogs.

Yarra makes submission to the Parliament of Victoria Inquiry into Climate Resili

Yarra City Council has lodged its submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Climate Resilience, providing local insights into the risks facing Victoria's built environment and infrastructure from climate change.

Yarra makes submission for Inquiry into Australian live music industry

Yarra City Council has lodged its submission to the Parliament of Australia Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry, providing insights into this growing issue from one of Victoria’s most thriving music hubs.