Council Plan and Community Vision

Merri-bek Council has set a clear direction for the years ahead, with our new Community Vision, Council Plan, and first Action Plan now in place. These documents reflect the voices of our community and will guide how we work together to shape Merri-bek’s future.

Council Plan 2025-29

The 2025–2029 Council Plan, which also includes the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, sets the City’s strategic direction for the next four years. Each year, specific actions are funded through the annual Budget to ensure we can deliver on the Plan.

The plan is set up under five key themes:

  • Care for nature and climate resilience
  • Healthy and inclusive communities
  • Beautiful and liveable city
  • Thriving economy and culture
  • Engaging and responsible Council

Our Plan on a Page

Our Plan on a Page is a simple snapshot of what we’re working towards as a community. It shows our shared goals, the actions we’re taking, and how we’re creating a more connected, sustainable, and inclusive Merri-bek. It’s a quick way to see what matters most to us, and how we’re turning your vision into everyday action.  

Download and view our Plan on Page (PDF 89Kb).

Community Vision 2025-2035

The Merri-bek Community Vision was shaped by our community and youth panels, and reflects what matters most for our future. It builds on our motto, 'One community, proudly diverse,' with a commitment that Merri-bek leads and leaves no one behind."

“Merri-bek leads, and leaves no one behind.

  • We are a welcoming, safe and thriving community
  • We are sustainable, and our environment is respected
  • Our community is engaged and informed
  • Our streets are full of life

One community, proudly diverse.”

You can read more about our vision from page 14 of the Council Plan. Download and view the Merri-bek Council Plan 2025 - 29 (PDF 10Mb)

Council Action Plans

Each year, Council develops an Action Plan that sets out the priority projects and initiatives for that financial year. The 2025–2026 Action Plan outlines the first steps to deliver on our four-year Council Plan. This approach gives us flexibility to respond to new opportunities and changing circumstances while staying on track with our long-term goals.

You can read our action plan in full, below:

Download and view Merri-bek Council Action Plan 2025-26 (PDF 525Kb)

Previous Council Plan 2021 - 2025

  • The Council Plan 2021 -2025 (PDF 2Mb) is the first to be delivered under the new Local Government Act 2020. The Council Plan includes the Merri-bek Community Vision, which was developed by an Imagine Merri-bek Community Panel through deliberative engagement.

     

  • Yearly Council Action Plans support the implementation of the delivery of the Council Plan 2021-2025. All actions documented in our Council Action Plans are planned in an integrated manner and resourced through our annual budgeting cycle.

  • This is our vision

    “Merri-bek is our home. We respect and look after our land, air, waterways and animals. We care for our people and celebrate our diverse stories, cultures and identities.

    “Merri-bek is enhanced by all of us supporting our local businesses, arts communities and social organisations.

    “We work together proactively and transparently to continue to create a:

    • vibrant
    • safe
    • healthy
    • resilient
    • innovative
    • regenerative community.

    “Many faces, one Merri-bek.”

    How we heard from you

    First, we spoke to you through:

    • pop-up events
    • focus groups
    • online conversations
    • interviews
    • questionnaires you returned to us.

    We received 3,227 contributions from over 2,000 Merri-bek citizens. Plus, we heard from 150 stakeholder groups.

    Then we sent 30,000 invitations to random households across Merri-bek. We invited people to tell us if they wanted to take part in a community panel.

    From those who volunteered, we randomly selected 44 people. They were young and old, and from different backgrounds, like people in Merri-bek. The people on the panel reflected Merri-bek’s diversity.

    This panel met several times. They met face to face and online. They learned about the hopes the community had for the future. These hopes were what you told us earlier in the year at our events and other activities.

    They also spoke to experts about key local issues. These included:

    • health
    • recovering from the pandemic
    • climate
    • open space
    • planning
    • transport.

    Using this information, the panel members worked together to develop a community vision. The vision is used as a guide to write important documents such as the council plan.

    The council plan says how we will work towards achieving the new community vision.

    Merri-bek Community Vision 2021 - 2031

    You can read our Merri-bek Community Vision 2021 -2031 (PDF 1.2MB) (PDF 1Mb) to get more information about our Community Vision.