Strategies help deliver vision for the future

People who live, work and visit the City of Whittlesea are invited to have their say on three key strategies that will help bring to life the Whittlesea 2040 vision: A Place for All.

The draft Connected Community Strategy 2023-2033, draft Liveable Neighbourhoods Strategy 2023-2033 and the draft Long-Term Community Infrastructure Plan were endorsed for consultation at the 19 September Council Meeting.

City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said each of the strategies was informed by extensive community engagement and a place-based approach addressing the specific needs of each community within the municipality.

“These three strategies will help us bring our community’s vision of A Place for All to life,” she said.

“I would now invite the community to view each of these draft strategies and to provide their feedback. We want to make sure these strategies capture what’s important to the people who live, work and visit the City of Whittlesea.”

The Connected Community Strategy 2023-2033 outlines Council’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, healthy, safe and welcoming place where all residents are celebrated and supported.

Informed by the analysis of trends and engagement with the community, the strategy identifies 24 priorities to build on the progress already made in these areas.

Advancing gender equality, improving physical and mental wellbeing, providing services for people at all life stages, and creating culturally safe and accessible spaces are just some of the areas Council will focus on over the next decade.

The Liveable Neighbourhoods Strategy 2023-2033 sets out Council’s approach to creating and maintaining well-planned and attractive neighbourhoods with convenient and vibrant open spaces and town centres.

The 18 priorities contained in the report include creating a regional sports centre in Mernda, building an Aboriginal Gathering Place, improving walking and cycling networks, and increasing social and affordable housing options.

The Long-Term Community Infrastructure Plan contains Council’s blueprint for investing in buildings and spaces that promote access to services supporting health, wellbeing and life-long learning.

Community infrastructure includes community centres, halls, libraries, kindergartens, Maternal and Child Health centres, arts spaces and sports and leisure facilities.

Among the priorities outlined in the strategy are meeting the infrastructure needs of the Victorian Government’s early childhood education reforms, delivering new multipurpose community centres and sporting facilities in the growing northern suburbs, and increasing access to library services.

You can view the plans and provide feedback at engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au