Advocating on behalf of our community

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

We are committed to advocating for projects and initiatives which are important to our community, and which will help us create a climate-safe, equitable and liveable Yarra.

To achieve this, we engage with other levels of government at many different levels including the Prime Minister, Premier, Ministers, Opposition, crossbenchers and local Members of Parliament. Council lobbies for funding, seeks policy changes and works with government departments and agencies to deliver joint projects.

Council also works closely with local government peak bodies, industry and other organisations to undertake joint advocacy and deliver projects that support positive outcomes for our community.

What guides our advocacy?

Yarra’s first Advocacy Action Plan was adopted at our 14 November 2023 Council meeting and sets out our strategic priorities for Yarra.

Download and read our Advocacy Action Plan (PDF 196 kB).

Victorian Election 2022

The next Victoria Election will be held on Saturday, 26 November 2022.

The election is an important opportunity for Council to advocate to local candidates and political parties and promote the projects and initiatives which are vital to Yarra’s future.

On 23 June 2022, Council adopted Yarra’s Victorian Election Advocacy Priorities (PDF 122 kB) which outline 32 different policy reforms, projects and initiatives across 7 action-orientated themes, including:

  • Taking real and tangible action to address the climate emergency
  • Creating a safe, inclusive and connected community
  • Investing in local community infrastructure
  • Improving movement and connectivity
  • Supporting growth and liveability in Cremorne
  • Supporting arts and culture in Yarra
  • Revitalising our precincts, activity centres and suburbs

Council will be seeking a firm commitment from local candidates and political parties to advance these priorities and ensure the projects and initiatives our city needs most to grow and thrive are supported by our State representatives.

For more information about the voting, candidates and the Victorian Election, visit the Victorian Electoral Commission.

Working with local government partners, peak bodies and organisations to deliver better outcomes

Council works closely with a range of local government partners, peak bodies and organisations to deliver joint advocacy and projects that support positive outcomes for our community.

Each of these partnerships provides an important opportunity for Yarra to advocate, influence or inform policy development, deliver innovation or work collaboratively towards outcomes which align to our priorities.

Peak bodies and organisations Yarra Council is a member of:

Latest advocacy updates