Council plans and strategies

The plan provides a five year strategy to guide and promote economic activity and growth in the municipality. Its vision is for us to be a prosperous local economy, responding positively to challenges and new opportunities, and where individuals are supported to reach their economic potential and forged business relationships across the community.

The four strategic objectives of the plan reflect the principal current and emerging priorities within Banyule: vibrant precincts, business support, investment and attraction, and leadership and partnerships.

Creative Banyule: Arts and Culture Strategy 2023-2031 provides a long-term vision and strategic framework to re-imagine creative, cultural and artistic life in our community.

The Public Art Policy outlines how we plan, deliver and care for public art across the municipality from 2026 to 2031. It supports the creation of meaningful, high-quality artworks that enhance public spaces and reflect the identity and diversity of the community.

Public art is an important part of how we shape our shared spaces. It helps create vibrant, welcoming places, strengthens community connections and tells local stories. We support public art as a key part of placemaking, urban renewal and infrastructure projects.

What the policy covers

The policy guides how public art is planned, funded, commissioned and managed. This includes:

• large-scale commissioned artworks
• murals and street art
• temporary art projects
• integrating art into new and upgraded public infrastructure.

It also outlines how artworks are maintained over time and how decisions are made about their lifecycle, including renewal or removal.

Our approach

Our approach to public art is guided by principles that aim to:

• enhance public spaces and neighbourhood character
• reflect local identity and cultural diversity
• support creative excellence and local artists
• encourage community participation and connection
• create engaging and inclusive places for everyone.

Working together

We work with artists, community groups, Traditional Custodians, developers and other partners to deliver public art outcomes. Opportunities for external funding, partnerships and community-led projects are supported where they align with the policy.

Why it matters

Public art contributes to Banyule’s liveability by improving the look and feel of public spaces, supporting local culture and creativity, and bringing people together. The policy ensures a consistent, transparent approach to investing in public art across the municipality.

Learn about our strategic direction and priorities up to June 2029 captured in The Banyule Plan - a combination of the Community Vision, our key strategic Council plan, and our Health and Wellbeing Plan.

Read The Banyule Plan online

This strategy is a first in local government: activating and enhancing the Victorian Government’s Social Enterprise Strategy at the local level. It pioneers a new place-based model of community and economic development that will build on our existing momentum and strategically lead the development of the social enterprise sector through four 4 areas:

1. Advance place-based social enterprise innovation.
2. Build business capacity and capability.
3. Improve market access.
4. Increase community awareness and engagement.

The Marrageil Strategy will drive our commitment to reconciliation, growing partnerships with community and improving First Nations self-determination.

The strategy has a 7-year scope, lasting from 2024-2031.

The focus areas of Marrageil that will guide our journey towards reconciliation and self-determination include:

• lifting the social connection, health, and wellbeing of First Nations people
• putting Caring for Country principles at the centre of practice
• celebrate, protect and share Aboriginal history, heritage and culture
• enhance First Nations inclusion and cultural safety Increase economic opportunities for First Nations people
• improve First Nations self-determination through engagement and representation.

Our goals for the future of Bell Street Mall are to:

• establish an exciting and ambitious vision that establishes the Mall as a genuine mixed-use, higher density centre that supports the future needs of the community
• provide key directions on land use, urban design and public realm outcomes, not just for the centre but also its immediate surrounds
• provide design guidelines that support the design and delivery of a high-quality precinct, including public realm and built form outcomes.

This document is divided into 5 key chapters that provide a clear understanding of the vision for the Mall.

As we begin to see the impacts of COVID-19 unfold, we recognise that an even greater number of people will experience unemployment and face economic hardship. Those who faced disadvantage prior to this pandemic, now face even greater challenges. With unemployment rates expected to continue to rise, the pandemic is challenging us to think and work in new ways.

This strategy is a first for us and pioneers a new place-based model of community and economic development that harnesses our role to create local job outcomes for local people experiencing barriers to employment.

Informed by community consultation and evidenced best practice, this strategy sets our agenda to:

1. stimulate inclusive employment opportunities
2. strengthen pathways to employment
3. grow business and entrepreneurship
4. advance inclusive employment practices across the local government sector and private sector.

The purpose of this policy is to:

1. Acknowledge the urgency of increasing the supply of affordable housing.
2.  Guide and inform Council’s decision making and advocacy for social and affordable housing.
3. Support Council to identify, acknowledge and respond to the complex micro and macro environmental factors that impact the rights of Banyule residents to secure adequate housing, including political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal.
4. Support Council to identify where to invest to maximise community impact for those most in need.
5. Position Council to effectively support and partner with State Government, community housing providers and private investors to accelerate opportunities to improve and increase Banyule’s affordable housing stock.
6. Position Council to take a long-term strategic approach to deliver public value.