Glen Eira City Council has adopted its Financial Sustainability Strategy — a long-term plan to protect the services and infrastructure our community values most. 

This strategy is the result of two years of conversations with thousands of residents. Through surveys, pop-ups, postcards and two rounds of our Community Priorities Panel, you told us what matters most: 

• Keep essential services like libraries, parks and maternal health 

• Support vulnerable residents 

• Make decisions that are fair and transparent 

• Use resources wisely and plan for the future. 

We listened. The Financial Sustainability Strategy responds directly to these priorities. It sets out five goals: 

• Balance future budgets so spending reflects what we can afford 

• Boost revenue and drive efficiency through smarter service planning and fair user-pays models 

• Strengthen reserves to build resilience for the future 

• Manage debt responsibly to ease financial pressure 

• Build a funding pipeline for capital works so we can keep investing in essential infrastructure. 

Why do we need this strategy?  

Like many households and businesses, Council faces rising costs and shifting responsibilities from other levels of government. While our finances are stable today, projections show that without action, we won’t be able to maintain the services and infrastructure our community expects. 

This isn’t a quick fix. It’s a disciplined, long-term approach to financial management that protects what matters most and ensures Glen Eira remains a great place to live, work and thrive. 

What happens next? 

We’re committed to being open and transparent. We’ll continue to involve the community at every step when decisions flow from the strategy. Updates will be shared through our website, Glen Eira News, social media and e-newsletters.