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.

The Public Realm Framework (the Framework) helps Council deliver a higher-quality public realm that is well-utilised, considered, contemporary, and diverse that supports the strategic goals of Council and community.

Public realm is the space that influences liveability and supports public life in Banyule. 
The public realm creates a sense of place and identity and contributes to the wellbeing of residents, visitors and workers. It is defined as space that is accessible and open.  Space that is generally publicly owned and managed, and publicly accessible, and includes parks, civic areas, pedestrian links, paths, streets, trails, sports ovals, areas around public transport.

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.

The Resilient and Safe Banyule Framework provides a strategic approach to strengthening community safety, wellbeing, social connection and resilience across Banyule.

It aims to create safer, healthier and more inclusive environments where people feel supported at home, on the road, in the community, at work and during emergencies.

The framework aligns with our plans, legislation and broader government strategies, guiding actions that build trust, participation, preparedness and community capacity to respond to challenges and change.

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.