Launch of our Connect Melbourne’s North campaign

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In August we launched our Connect Melbourne’s North: It’s time to transform our transport campaign, with strong commitment from all seven Councils.

 

We developed and launched a dedicated website, published a campaign document that was distributed to state and federal government MPs and Ministers, and began collation of case studies from transport users across the region. The campaign launch took place at Upfield Station and attracted significant media coverage from Channel 9, The Age and ABC radio.

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Focus on improvements to the Upfield line

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As part of the campaign launch, we highlighted the urgent need for improvements to the Upfield line to service the growing populations in the northern corridor. Our evidence-based research demonstrates that the Upfield line has fewer services and significant delays when compared with other metropolitan rail lines.

 

We created a video that showcases the issue and developed an advocacy document. This also generated media interest, with The Age publishing articles, ABC radio covering the issue and Channel 9 running a news item filed at Upfield Station. 

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Focus on a new Outer North Hospital

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Current health services in Melbourne's north are at capacity.  With a growing population, our region needs government support to ensure that all our residents have access to health services and the public transport they need to access those services.

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The NCA developed a formal advocacy position focusing on the need to aquire land in the Cloverton precinct in the outer north. You can read more about that here.

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Global recognition for NCA initiatives

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During the year our work was recognised in two Local Government Information Unit members briefings that were distributed worldwide. Articles on our community electric vehicle research and our unique collaborative structure were published in March and May.

 

The LGIU is a not-for-profit membership organisation that supports local governments across the world. It provides research, resources and training on issues of relevance and interest to local government.

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Beginning development of a Community Electric Vehicle Action Plan

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We continued work on an action plan that will seek to implement recommendations from our Community Electric Vehicle Transition Plan, which was launched last year. This evidence-based, detailed plan supports lower-emissions transport options for the community, businesses and Councils across Melbourne’s north.

 

We look forward to implementing the report’s recommendations in 2025.

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Delegation to Canberra

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Throughout the year we continued our advocacy work on behalf of Melbourne’s north. A highlight was our delegation to Canberra, which took place in August and allowed us to meet with key federal government Ministers, MPs and senior advisors (see the September edition of NCA Snapshot for details).

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Meetings with MPs and decision makers

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We continued to meet with our MPs from Melbourne’s north, Ministers and federal Members of Parliament and decision makers to raise their awareness about regional issues, focusing on better transport options, ending family violence and the need to plan for an Outer North Hospital.  

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Highlights included NCA CEOs meeting with the Hon Vicki Ward MP, Member for Eltham and Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and Employment, to discuss the role Councils play in ending family violence. 

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Another important meeting took place with Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, Senator for Victoria and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, who toured the Cloverton precinct accompanied by Senator James Paterson, Senator for Victoria and Mr Evan Mulholland, Member for Northern Metropolitan.

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Regular NCA meetings

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The achievements of the NCA would not be possible without commitment and collaboration from each member Council. During the year the NCA Forum, comprising the Mayor and CEO from each member Council, met quarterly and the NCA CEO Group met monthly to oversee delivery of agreed projects and activities.

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NCA Stand for Council campaign

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NCA member Councils, led by Nillumbik Shire Council and the City of Darebin, worked together to produce a video to assist community members who had considered running for Council.  The video provided an insight into what being a Councillor involves, aimed at setting expectations from the start and encouraging local candidates to consider how they could play a positive role in shaping their community.

 

The NCA member Councils also attending many Stand for Council information sessions run by the Municipal Association of Victoria.

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