Annual Report highlights key achievements in 2022-2023

Delivering key infrastructure projects, local events and services for our diverse community and making it easier for our community to interact with Council are just some of the highlights of the City of Whittlesea 2022-2023 Annual Report which was presented at a Special Council Meeting on 12 October 2023.

With a focus on connection, and providing our community with the places, spaces and services they need, the City of Whittlesea continued to deliver and support its residents and businesses to thrive.

Chair Administrator, Lydia Wilson, said that the theme of this year’s report ‘Love where we live’, reflects Council’s ongoing efforts to provide residents, businesses and community with a strong sense of place and pride in the City of Whittlesea.

“Over the past year, we have continued to create new spaces and facilities where people can come together and connect locally,” Lydia said.

“We have completed many new infrastructure projects through our $55 million capital works program, including the redevelopment of playgrounds, road projects such the much-needed Findon Road extension and facilities including the new Mernda Social Support Centre that will provide day respite and social support services for older residents.”

“We have also made significant progress on the delivery of our Aboriginal Gathering Place at Quarry Hills Parkland, with designs developed. The construction of this welcoming, inclusive and culturally safe space will begin in the next financial year, and we are very much looking forward to this project taking shape.”

“We have also worked closely with our business community, continuing to support them as we re-emerge from the challenges of the past few years. This included the successful roll-out of the It’s all here campaign to support local spending and celebrating the successes of businesses at our inaugural Business Awards.”

Lydia said that with a State election last year, Council’s strong advocacy efforts have delivered pleasing results.

“Our advocacy on the priorities that are important to our community resulted in more than $42 million in commitments during the Victorian state election, including $20 million in funding to support the delivery of the second stage of the Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre in Mernda. Our ongoing advocacy to the Federal Government also resulted in a commitment to deliver the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal; a $1.8 billion project which will generate nearly 20,000 local jobs.”

“We value the opinions and feedback from our community and are proud of our comprehensive engagement program. We consulted on 39 projects in 2022-2023, providing our community with opportunities to engage with us in ways that suit them and have their voices heard and considered in the decision-making that shapes the future of our city.”

Other highlights of the Annual Report 2022-2023 include:

• introduction of a municipal-wide kerbside glass recycling service
• development of a 10-year Climate Change Plan and Sustainable Environment Strategy
• delivery of an extensive communications and engagement campaign to support cat owners in the municipality prepare for the introduction of new cat confinement and mandatory desexing regulations
• completion of stage 1 of the Whittlesea Public Gardens redevelopment
• completion of the construction of the Redleap Reserve playground and Kelynack Recreation Reserve playground
• delivery of the Community Leadership Program, with 58 participants graduating in 2022-2023
• partnering with the Wurundjeri Narrap Team to develop traditional land management practices
• across two conservation reserves
• developing the Green Wedge Management Plan 2023-2033 following community consultation
• planting more than 7,000 trees in streets, parks, conservation reserves and open spaces
• beginning a digital transformation program to improve efficiency and customer service.

Read the full Annual Report at whittlesea.vic.gov.au/annualreport.