The Northern Councils Alliance latest newsletter - NCA Snapshot edition 11 is now out, and highlights some of our key initiatives and achievements over the past few months. Read the full newsletter here:

As Victoria heads towards the state election, the seven Mayors of Melbourne's north are united on one message: investment in our region must keep pace with growth. In the coming decade, our region is expected to welcome another 500,000 people. Growth brings significant opportunity, but only if the infrastructure is there to support it. That's why the NCA is calling for commitment to priority investments that will strengthen transport, healthcare, active travel and employment

Demonstrating the continued commitment of our member Councils to collaboration, Hume, Whittlesea and Mitchell Councils held a joint Council meeting this month to plan for the future of the emerging Cloverton precinct and the enormous population growth expected across Melbourne’s north. This builds on the collaborative model established at the three Councils’ inaugural meeting in 2023. Over the next decade, the Cloverton precinct will become a major city-scale centre serving a

The NCA is bringing its seven member Councils together to develop a new Strategic Plan for 2027–2031, building on the current plan and responding to the changing needs of Melbourne’s rapidly growing north. The process is deliberately thorough. Rather than moving straight to a list of advocacy asks, Councils are first testing the issues that matter most to the region and considering where collective action will have the greatest impact. Council working groups are leading this

As Melbourne’s north continues to grow, the need for long-term planning, investment and strong regional advocacy has never been more important. The Victorian Government’s $80 million commitment to investigate duplication and extension of the Upfield railway line is a welcome step forward. This has been a long-standing NCA advocacy priority and demonstrates the value of keeping important regional projects on the agenda. Our focus now is on seeing this commitment progress fro

Last month, the Victorian Government announced funding of $80 million to progress the duplication of the Upfield line between Gowrie and Upfield. Duplicating the Upfield line has been a key NCA advocacy priority over recent years, so this announcement is very welcome. It represents an important step towards addressing long-standing capacity constraints on the line. Importantly, support for Upfield corridor improvements has been demonstrated across the political spectrum. The

The Northern Councils Alliance (NCA) welcomes the Victorian Government’s commitment to progress duplication of the Upfield Line between Gowrie and Upfield. This investment recognises the growing transport challenges in Melbourne’s north and the need to improve rail capacity, reliability and access to opportunity. While this is an important milestone, it must be viewed as the first stage of the broader Upfield to Wallan vision - delivering duplication, electrification, network

The NCA Mayors have called on State election candidates to commit to critical investment to support Melbourne's north. In a video released today, the seven Mayors spoke of the need for critical investment to support one of Australia's fastest growing regions "Every election is an opportunity to shape the future of our communities. This election must deliver commitments that match the scale of growth expected in Melbourne's north, which will soon be home to over 1.5 million pe

The Northern Councils Alliance latest newsletter - NCA Snapshot edition 10 is now out, and highlights some of our key initiatives and achievements over the past few months. Read the full newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gnASMngD

Ahead of the Victorian state election, the 7 Mayors from Melbourne’s north have agreed on a shared set of regional priorities to underpin a coordinated advocacy effort with governments. A new set of documents has been designed, highlighting the projects and the positive impact these priorities will have on our region. They address some of the most pressing infrastructure challenges facing us. NCA Chair and Mayor of the City of Whittlesea, Cr Lawrie Cox, said the agreement ref

More than 150 residents and business owners from across Melbourne's north recently shared their experiences through our Connecting Melbourne’s north project, highlighting the transport challenges many face each day. Respondents raised concerns about overcrowded public transport, worsening road congestion, long commute times and limited transport options, particularly in our fast-growing communities. Many said these challenges are affecting family life, access to opportunities

In June, we were pleased to present our second Cross-Council Professional Development event, involving Mayors, Councillors, CEOs and Council staff from across 6 municipalities. Hosted by Banyule City Council, the session focused on effective communication, social media and conduct in public-facing roles. MC and facilitator Chris Eddy, together with panel members Georgie Ward, David Imber, Jim Carden and Morgan Saletta, guided the discussion and shared practical insights drawn

We recently upgraded our NCA website to better present our advocacy, projects and regional impact while making it easier for visitors to find the information they need. With a cleaner design and improved navigation, our updated site also has a stronger focus on current priorities, giving governments and stakeholders a better understanding of our region’s needs and opportunities, and highlighting the NCA’s leading role in advocating for positive change. Visit www.northerncounc

The NCA's advocacy for critical health infrastructure in Melbourne's north has been featured by ABC News, highlighting growing calls from northern Mayors for long-term planning to support one of Australia's fastest-growing regions. Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr. John Dougall and City of Whittlesea Mayor Cr. Lawrie Cox are calling for greater investment in Melbourne's outer north. (ABC News: Kyle Harley) The ABC report focuses on the need for the Victorian Government to secure land

Edition 8: April 2025 Councils across Melbourne’s north have been successful in recent advocacy campaigns, bringing much-needed investment into our region. Banyule, Hume, Merri-bek and Mitchell provide examples of how their advocacy efforts have resulted in gains for their communities. ​ Mitchell Over the last few years, Mitchell Shire Council’s advocacy has resulted in over $2.73 billion of investment within the Shire and the region. This includes more than $1.08 billion in

Edition 8: April 2025 Our Connect Melbourne’s North: It’s time to transform our transport campaign is seeking urgent action to improve the transport system across our region. ​ The goal of our campaign is to transform the transport infrastructure in Melbourne's north to address severe traffic congestion, lengthy commutes, limited access to essential services and increasing social isolation. ​ Melbourne’s north region is home to one million people, accounting for 20 per cent

Edition 8: April 2025 Healthcare in Melbourne’s north is at a critical juncture. With a rapidly growing population and existing health services stretched beyond capacity, urgent investment is required to meet the increasing needs of our community. ​ The NCA is calling for a firm commitment from federal and state governments to deliver a new public hospital in the outer north – one that provides vital emergency care and specialist services, including obstetrics, dialysis, o

Edition 8: April 2025 ​In 2025, the NCA will continue with strong advocacy for better transport connectivity, ensuring Melbourne’s north has the services and infrastructure it needs to thrive. Improving the Upfield rail line remains a top priority for us, with a focus on increased frequency, electrification beyond Upfield and better connections to key employment and education hubs. ​ In addition, we are pushing for an expansion of bus services across the region, including a