Advocacy priorities

We rely on all levels of government to help provide the infrastructure and services that our community needs.

Our population continues to grow, putting more pressure on our public transport, roads, local health, recreation and community services.

We have identified 27 key priorities across 8 sectors that we seek State or Federal Government investment to deliver.

• Roads
• Public transport
• Neighbourhood improvement
• Pedestrian and cycling paths
• Environment
• Job creation
• Community wellbeing
• Recreation

We partner with the Northern Council Alliance, the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action and NORTH Link to deliver the best outcomes we can on these priorities.

Join us and get involved. We can help you raise awareness to causes that are important to your communities.

Roads

Odenwald Road bridge

We seek government investment of $5M to construct a new Odenwald Road bridge across the Hurstbridge Railway Line, and to include safe pedestrian access.

North East Link

A Victorian Government commitment to implement our proposed design to put a green lid over North East Link in Watsonia.

Public transport

Watsonia Train Station

Raise the Watsonia Train Station up to ground level to integrate with the shopping precinct and to ensure that the rail infrastructure access is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Ivanhoe Train Station

Funding to upgrade Ivanhoe Train Station to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, with priority to Marshall Street grade separation and accessibility compatibility.

Community infrastructure

Olympic Leisure Centre upgrade

An investment of $15 million over 5 years to deliver on the community co-design for the West Heidelberg precinct and the Olympic Leisure Centre.

Pedestrian and cycling paths

Pedestrian and bike paths

A $10 million investment over 4 years to fund high priority cycling routes identified by the Victorian Government, and to jointly fund the construction of missing link cycling paths.

Rosanna to Heidelberg trail

A commitment to complete the Northern Trail along the Hurstbridge railway between Rosanna Station and Heidelberg Station. Victorian Government funding to relocate signalling boxes to accommodate this section of the Northern Trail.

Environment

Green fleet

For the Federal Government to invest in research and development projects to pilot zero emission alternatives for our heavy vehicle fleet and supporting our electric vehicle conversion.

Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre electrification

An investment of $4.8 million to help convert Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre from gas-powered to renewable electric energy.

WaterMarc electrification

A $3 million Federal Government investment to replace pool heating at WaterMarc to low emission 100% renewable energy.

Job creation

Northern Innovation and Sustainability Hub

We are seeking $1M in funding to develop a precinct structure plan for NISP that will facilitate future development, innovation and investment.
We are also advocating for $4M in government funding for the catalytic projects identified in the NISP opportunities statement.

Inclusive employment

An investment of $13.6 million from the Victorian Government over 4 years to roll out an inclusive employment program for residents in Melbourne’s northern region who are facing barriers to employment.

Community wellbeing

Supported playgroups

Ongoing funding to expand the supported playgroups program to respond to growing demands of vulnerable local families.

Community safety

Ongoing funding for the Banyule Diverse Communities Project for the next 2 years to focus on family capacity building and early prevention.

End family violence

Funding for a violence free officer and gender equity officer.

Food relief

Support for food relief agencies and a dedicated warehouse to store food and materials.

Gambling reform

Introduce a sinking cap on the number of gaming machines, restriction to the operating hours of gaming venues and policy change to ensure community benefit funding is for genuine activities.

Housing and homelessness

Provision of crisis accommodation, a feasibility study into a homeless youth hostel, extension of the existing 24-hour housing outreach service and advocating for key worker accommodation.

Mental health

A $50,000 investment is needed over two years to deliver mental health first aid training to community leaders.

Recreation

Anthony Beale Reserve pavilion

A Victorian Government investment of $700,000 to redevelop the pavilion at Anthony Beale Reserve to include female-friendly change rooms and expanded community meeting spaces.

Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre redevelopment

A partnership with the Victorian and Australian Governments to add much needed aquatic spaces and amenities to the centre.

Ivanhoe netball courts

A Victorian Government investment of $1.5 million to construct 2 netball courts and storage facilities at Ivanhoe Park.

Ivanhoe Recreation Reserve pavilion

Upgrade the pavilion shared by the East Ivanhoe Bowling Club and Ivanhoe Tennis Club at Ivanhoe Park.

Ivanhoe Park Croquet Club

A $565,000 Victorian Government Investment to upgrade lighting at the Ivanhoe Park Croquet Club and improve clubrooms.

Raising awareness to your cause

Community-led advocacy includes a range of targeted activities to influence the opinions and decisions of governments to support a project, policy or program.

We have developed an easy-to-read toolkit to help you advocate for issues that are important to you.

This resource guides your journey as you build your own advocacy campaign, big or small, and includes:

• checklists
• templates
• tip sheets.

Get the Advocacy Toolkit(PDF, 2MB)

You can also strengthen your cause by contacting local members of Parliament.