Council approves a submission to Melbourne Water on the updated flood mapping for Glen Eira

Melbourne Water is working with councils across Greater Melbourne to update flood information. This is part of Melbourne Water’s Flood Information Program, which helps us understand current and future flood risks. By doing this, we can plan for a safer and more resilient city.

As Glen Eira grows, we need to reduce flood risks for a growing population and higher housing density. Having accurate flood information means we can clearly identify areas that may flood during extreme weather. This helps us plan ahead, prioritise upgrades to flood infrastructure, and make sure new developments are built in the right places and designed to cope with flooding.

Melbourne Water’s updated flood maps for Glen Eira are currently out for public consultation, which started on 13 October and ends on 5 December 2025. The community is being asked to share feedback on past flooding experiences and any errors in the maps, such as changes to land features or new drainage works.

Our own submission to Melbourne Water is generally supportive of the Flood Information Program but raises concerns about the consultation process and includes advocacy for a fast-tracked planning process and increased opportunities for infrastructure investment within Glen Eira.

After consultation closes, Melbourne Water will review all submissions from councils and the community. This may take 3–6 months and could lead to minor changes to the maps. Once finalised, Melbourne Water will advise us on the next steps.

Council adopts the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029

The Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) promotes responsible pet ownership and the welfare of cats and dogs. It will also help protect the community and environment from nuisance animals.

Before finalising the plan, we asked our community for their thoughts and opinions on the draft DAMP 2026–2029. The engagement ran for four weeks, from 3 September to 1 October 2025 and we received 279 pieces of feedback which focused on three main themes:

1. Managing dogs in public spaces including calls for more off-leash areas, better fencing, extra bins and bag dispensers, clearer signage, and consistent enforcement of leash and waste rules.
2. Effective and fair enforcement involving a desire for stronger, more visible, and balanced enforcement and better reporting and investigation of complaints.
3. Promoting responsible pet ownership through support for education, incentives, owner training, and practical resources to encourage responsible behaviour.

Our community shared fantastic ideas throughout the consultation, and we’ve incorporated many of them into the final plan. Together, we’ve shaped an approach that reflects what matters most - education, animal welfare, and fair, balanced management.

We have used this feedback to refine the DAMP, ensuring it is responsive, balanced, and reflects our community’s needs and expectations.

Council commits to developing a two-year antisemitism strategy

Our community is facing growing concerns about safety, particularly following recent global events that have led to a rise in antisemitic incidents locally. These incidents have deeply affected our Jewish community and increased feelings of vulnerability.

We have a zero-tolerance policy toward racism and discrimination, reflected in our Together We Stand statement. This commitment guides our work to make lasting change.

In response to recent antisemitism and heightened safety concerns within the community, we have taken immediate action to promote community safety, including:

• Adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
• Delivering training for staff and Councillors in partnership with the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV).
• Supporting Jewish groups and programs through our grants program.
• Establishing the Glen Eira Social Cohesion Taskforce and hosted forums like the Harmony Forum.
• Engaging with the Community Safety Committee and State-level initiatives such as Local Escalation and Help (LEAH).
• Working closely with Victoria Police, the Community Security Group (CSG) and local Jewish organisations to strengthen safety and engagement.

To respond to current challenges, we will commit to a two-year antisemitism strategy which will follow proven approaches and build on the work we’ve already done to stand against racism.

Community engagement is at the heart of what we do. We will continue to listen to the Jewish community through targeted consultations and advisory groups, making sure their voices shape our decisions.

For more information and all the reports from the meeting, visit our Council meeting page.