Advocacy priorities

We have a diverse community of more than 130,000 residents from over 140 countries. The number of people living in Banyule is expected to increase in the next decade and our population is expected to age and grow, putting more pressure on our public transport, roads, local health, recreation and community services.

We alone cannot fund all the infrastructure and services our community needs, and we are not responsible for delivering all the services on which our community relies.

To function well and thrive, we need investment from all levels of government. Our advocacy program engages state and federal governments for funding.

We have refined our advocacy approach in 2025, focusing shorter term efforts on a targeted list of fewer priorities.

Current Priorities

North East Link

A Victorian Government commitment to implement our proposed design to put a green lid over North East Link in Watsonia.

Truck ban on local roads

Extend the existing North-East Truck Curfew within Banyule to 24 hours, including on roads such as Rosanna Road, Greensborough Road, and Lower Plenty Road and a review of through truck routes on existing arterial roads between the M80 and the Eastern Freeway.

Housing reforms

We are seeking to ensure future housing needs are balanced with good design standards. Community voice restored to planning decision-making. An increase in social housing to ensure supply does not fall below 4.3% of Banyule’s total housing stock and mandates for a minimum affordable housing contribution to be included in all significant new developments.

Watsonia Train Station

Raise the Watsonia Train Station up to ground level to integrate with the shopping precinct and to ensure that the rail infrastructure access is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Housing and homelessness

Provision of crisis accommodation, a feasibility study into a homeless youth hostel, extension of the existing 24-hour housing outreach service and advocating for key worker accommodation.

Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre electrification

An investment of $4.8 million to help convert Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre from gas-powered to renewable electric energy.

Ongoing advocacy

In addition to our key priorities for 2025/26 we continue to advocate on a range of ongoing items that we seek State or Federal Government investment to deliver. We partner with the Northern Council Alliance, the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action and NORTH Link to deliver the best outcomes we can on these priorities.

Join us and get involved. We can help you raise awareness to causes that are important to your communities.

Supported playgroups

Ongoing funding to expand the supported playgroups program to respond to growing demands of vulnerable local families.

Anthony Beale Reserve pavilion

A Victorian Government investment of $700,000 to redevelop the pavilion at Anthony Beale Reserve to include female-friendly change rooms and expanded community meeting spaces.

Food relief

Support for food relief agencies and a dedicated warehouse to store food and materials.

Plenty River pedestrian bridge

A $200,000 Victorian Government investment to jointly fund the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Plenty River in Greensborough.

Rosanna to Heidelberg trail

A commitment to complete the Northern Trail along the Hurstbridge railway between Rosanna Station and Heidelberg Station. Victorian Government funding to relocate signalling boxes to accommodate this section of the Northern Trail.

Odenwald Road bridge

We seek government investment of $5M to construct a new Odenwald Road bridge across the Hurstbridge Railway Line, and to include safe pedestrian access.

Ivanhoe Recreation Reserve pavilion

Upgrade the pavilion shared by the East Ivanhoe Bowling Club and Ivanhoe Tennis Club at Ivanhoe Park.

Community safety

Ongoing funding for the Banyule Diverse Communities Project for the next 2 years to focus on family capacity building and early prevention.

Gambling reform

Introduce a sinking cap on the number of gaming machines, restriction to the operating hours of gaming venues and policy change to ensure community benefit funding is for genuine activities.

Ivanhoe netball courts

A Victorian Government investment of $1.5 million to construct 2 netball courts and storage facilities at Ivanhoe Park.

State Bowls Centre

A $750,000 Victorian Government commitment to partner with Bowls Victoria to develop a new State Bowling Centre at Bundoora Bowls Club.

Ivanhoe Park Croquet Club

A $565,000 Victorian Government Investment to upgrade lighting at the Ivanhoe Park Croquet Club and improve clubrooms.

End family violence

Funding for a violence free officer and gender equity officer.

Northern Innovation and Sustainability Hub

We are seeking $1M in funding to develop a precinct structure plan for NISP that will facilitate future development, innovation and investment.
We are also advocating for $4M in government funding for the catalytic projects identified in the NISP opportunities statement.

Green fleet

For the Federal Government to invest in research and development projects to pilot zero emission alternatives for our heavy vehicle fleet and supporting our electric vehicle conversion.

Mental health

A $50,000 investment is needed over two years to deliver mental health first aid training to community leaders.

Ivanhoe Train Station

Funding to upgrade Ivanhoe Train Station to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, with priority to Marshall Street grade separation and accessibility compatibility.

WaterMarc electrification

A $3 million Federal Government investment to replace pool heating at WaterMarc to low emission 100% renewable energy.

Pedestrian and bike paths

A $10 million investment over 4 years to fund high priority cycling routes identified by the Victorian Government, and to jointly fund the construction of missing link cycling paths.

Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre redevelopment

A partnership with the Victorian and Australian Governments to add much needed aquatic spaces and amenities to the centre.

Inclusive employment

An investment of $13.6 million from the Victorian Government over 4 years to roll out an inclusive employment program for residents in Melbourne’s northern region who are facing barriers to employment.

North East Link

A Victorian Government commitment to implement our proposed design to put a green lid over North East Link in Watsonia.

Truck ban on local roads

Housing reforms

Watsonia Train Station

Raise the Watsonia Train Station up to ground level to integrate with the shopping precinct and to ensure that the rail infrastructure access is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Housing and homelessness

Provision of crisis accommodation, a feasibility study into a homeless youth hostel, extension of the existing 24-hour housing outreach service and advocating for key worker accommodation.

Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre electrification

An investment of $4.8 million to help convert Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre from gas-powered to renewable electric energy.

Raising awareness to your cause

Community-led advocacy includes a range of targeted activities to influence the opinions and decisions of governments to support a project, policy or program.

We have developed an easy-to-read toolkit to help you advocate for issues that are important to you.

This resource guides your journey as you build your own advocacy campaign, big or small, and includes:

checklists
templates
tip sheets.

Get the Advocacy Toolkit(PDF, 2MB)

You can also strengthen your cause by contacting local members of Parliament.

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