Council Plan and Budget
The Council Plan is our strategic plan that guides all our work. It provides a strong foundation for the continuing rollout of projects, services and initiatives that go to the heart of the health and wellbeing of our diverse community.
Council Plan and Budget documents
From 1 July 2024 until 30 June 2025
Council Plan 2021-2031 Year 4 - Volume 1 - Vision and Direction (PDF 4.70 MB)
Council Plan 2021-2031 Year 4 - Volume 2 - Budget 2024/25 (PDF 6.71 MB)
Council Plan 2021-2031 Year 4 - Volume 3 - Service Profiles (PDF 2.52 MB)
(Please note: We're currently developing the designed versions of the Council Plan and Budget (Year 4) documents. We aim to upload them as soon as possible.)
Adopting and implementing the Council Plan and Budget (Year 4)
On 26 June 2024, Council adopted Year 4 of the Council Plan 2021-2031 and Budget 2024/25.
The Council Plan 2021-2031 is a 10-year roadmap, that operates in four-year cycles and requires redrafting every time a new Council is elected to ensure it continues to accurately reflect the vision of our councillors and community.
Every year, in consultation with the community, we review and revise the Council Plan and we create a Budget to assist us in meeting our strategic objectives.
Thank you to the 382 individuals and groups who took time to have their say on the 2024/25 documents. You can find the full engagement report on our Have Your Say page.
Given that we were planning for the final year of the current four-year planning cycle, not many major changes were proposed for 2024/25. Instead, the focus was on developing an annual budget that responds to the dynamic financial environment and delivers on existing initiatives and projects.
The two key changes that were adopted, include:
- An average rate increase of 2.75 per cent, which is in line with the rates cap, is lower than last year’s increase and is less than forecast inflation.
- The addition of three new differential rates categories – derelict land, vacant land and unactivated retail land – which will incur higher rates to encourage local development, with exemptions and appeals processes being offered.
These changes will apply from 1 July 2024 and will be implementing through Council’s regular rates notice processes.
In addition to these changes, the Council Plan and Budget is also going to include adjustments to waste rates, the Victorian Government’s Fire Service Levy, project investments and Council indicators.
For more information about these changes, we recommend check out our ‘A guide to your Council Plan and Budget (Year 4)’ news article.
Our community vision
Our Community Vision in Year Three of our Council Plan remains the same: "Proudly Port Phillip: A liveable and vibrant City that enhances the wellbeing of our community"
In the 10-year timespan of this Plan, we aim to exceed our community vision described in the subsequent statements.
We recognise the legacy of the traditional owners of the land and acknowledge the foresight of others who have come before us.
We celebrate Port Phillip as a city of many distinct places, connected by the common threads of safety, inclusion, and wellbeing so everyone can live their best life.
Social cohesion - forged from understanding, celebrating and listening to the diverse cultures in our City - is a foundation for this success.
We have a well-designed and planned city where the heritage and character of the built form is enhanced and protected.
We are renowned as a cultural hub, from live music to our creative industries. This creativity drives music, exhibitions, and events which delight residents and encourage visitors to keep returning.
Our more diverse local economy enjoys greater protection from financial shocks and new investment and industries within our City are generating jobs and prosperity.
We have a range of accessible and active transport choices that make it easy for everyone to move around our City. Visiting lively shopping and dining destinations or accessing public transport is all possible within a 10 to 15-minute walk from our neighbourhoods.
Our health and wellbeing are enriched by having quality public spaces close to home. We can visit these spaces easily to enjoy quiet moments or more active pursuits with our friends and families.
The beauty and biodiversity of our coastal, bay, park, waterway, and inland environments are protected and enhanced for future generations to enjoy. We have played our part in promoting and addressing environmental sustainability, from tackling climate change, emissions, and sea-level rise to minimising flooding risks.
We are proud that our participation in civic life means Port Phillip has retained its unique character and heritage while being admired as a creative hub that continues to evolve and innovate. We know our voice is heard and helps deliver meaningful outcomes.
We have a local council that strives to deliver services in the most efficient, transparent, and equitable way. Our Council provides strong financial stewardship, is responsible, and works hard to balance meeting community expectations and diversifying revenue streams with minimising costs for our community.
This is the minimum we hope for our community in 10 years’ time – we hope to achieve much more.
This is our legacy for generations to come.
Our Strategic Directions
The Council Plan sets out five Strategic Directions. They guide our priorities and actions as we work towards achieving the Community Vision. These are the Directions:
Inclusive: A City that is a place for all members of our community, where people feel supported and comfortable being themselves and expressing their identities.
Liveable: A City that is a great place to live, where our community has access to high quality public spaces, development and growth are well-managed, and it is safer and easy to connect and travel within.
Sustainable: A City that has a sustainable future, where our environmentally aware and active community benefits from living in a bayside city that is greener, cooler, cleaner and climate resilient.
Vibrant: A City that has a flourishing economy, where our community and local businesses thrive, and we maintain and enhance our reputation as one of Melbourne’s cultural and creative hubs.
Well-Governed: A City that is a leading local government authority, where our community and our organisation are in a better place as a result of our collective efforts.
Addressing our challenges
The Council Plan 2021-31 responds to eight key long-term challenges. These must be addressed to achieve the vision our community has for Port Phillip over the coming years. The challenges are: