Glen Eira Council Plan 2025–2029

Our community has told us they want to feel safe, stay healthy, and have a good quality of life — no matter their age, ability or background.

We’re committed to creating a safe and inclusive community by working with our community, local health services, and partner organisations to tackle the issues that matter most — like preventing family violence, tackling racism, promoting healthy eating and active living, and addressing the health impacts of climate change.

What this means for our community

Investing in safety, cohesion and wellbeing shapes daily life for our community. We create safer streets and public spaces where everyone feels confident walking, gathering and socialising. We run inclusive events and programs that celebrate our diversity and bring people together across cultures and generations. We make it easier to access services that support mental health, physical activity and social connection — especially for people who are vulnerable, isolated or facing challenges.

Strategic objectives

1.1 Our community feels safer

1.2 Our vibrant arts and culture programs strengthen the cohesion of our community

1.3 Our community has a strong sense of connection and belonging

1.4 Our community has improved physical and mental health and wellbeing

1.5 Our community benefits from the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the prevention of harm and ill-health

We want Glen Eira to be a place where everyone feels safe and welcome, where public spaces bring people together, and where neighbourhoods reflect the diversity of our community.

Whether it's enjoying a local park, catching up at a cafe, or moving easily through our streets — every resident should feel that they belong here. Glen Eira is made up of many neighbourhoods, each with its own character, strengths and stories. We’re working to make sure these places are safe, inclusive and accessible — so everyone can enjoy them, feel welcome, and belong.

What this means for our community

Welcoming and accessible places bring people together, offering opportunities for connection, celebration and care. We’re creating parks and playgrounds that are easy to access and enjoyable for all ages and abilities. We’re improving streets and transport systems so people can move safely and confidently. And we’re supporting housing that offers choice, security and reflects the needs of our changing community.

Strategic objectives

2.1 Our green open spaces and community facilities are well used, well located and accessible

2.2 Our places are safe, healthy and versatile

2.3 Our vibrant and clean activity centres support a thriving local economy

2.4 Our places are well connected by a variety of transport options

2.5 We have diversified housing options while maintaining local neighbourhood character

People across Glen Eira have told us they care deeply about the environment — our parks and gardens, our air and water, and the health of our streets and neighbourhoods.

Protecting the environment is about more than preserving nature — it’s about safeguarding our health, our future and our shared sense of place. We’re taking meaningful action on climate change, reducing waste, enhancing biodiversity and building a culture of sustainability across our community.

We’ll work with residents, Traditional Owners, schools, businesses and environmental groups to restore ecosystems, reduce emissions and build resilience to climate impacts. We’re investing in green infrastructure, clean energy, water-sensitive design and waste reduction programs that benefit both people and planet.

What this means for our community

Environmental stewardship means creating a healthier, cooler and more liveable Glen Eira — now and for future generations. It means cleaner air and water, greener streets and more native plants and animals. It means sending less waste to landfill and supporting a circular economy that values reuse and regeneration.

Strategic objectives

3.1 Our urban greenery and biodiversity are enhanced

3.2 Our air and waterways are healthy

3.3 Council and community emissions are reduced

3.4 Waste to landfill is reduced

3.5 Our community is actively engaged in Caring for Country and the natural environment

Glen Eira is growing and changing and so are the needs and expectations of our community. People want us to be smart with spending, open about decisions, and focused on services that make a real difference to their quality of life. We’re focused on delivering high-quality services, maintaining our assets, and planning responsibly for the future. We’re using resources wisely, making decisions openly and staying focused on what matters most to our residents.

What this means for our community

Innovation and financial sustainability mean making smart choices that deliver real value for our community. It’s about making every dollar count, designing services that are inclusive and responsive, and making decisions that are fair and grounded in evidence. 

Strategic objectives

4.1 We are financially secure and sustainable

4.2 Our community is informed and engaged

4.3 Our community has trust and confidence in our decisions

4.4 Our services are highly valued, well designed and responsive to community and customer needs

4.5 Our technology enables us to achieve our strategic priorities

4.6 Our workforce is capable, informed and engaged

Health and wellbeing are at the centre of everything we do. So, reflected throughout our Council Plan, you’ll see five health and wellbeing priorities based on local needs, community insights and state-wide health plans: 

• Preventing all forms of violence — including family, gender-based, combatting antisemitism and all other forms of racism and community violence.
• Increasing active living — by making it easier to walk, cycle and stay active every day.
• Improving mental and social wellbeing — by reducing loneliness, supporting connection and promoting inclusion.
• Reducing harm — from tobacco, vaping, alcohol, gambling and other risks to health.
• Tackling climate change and its health impacts — by creating cooler, greener, more resilient neighbourhoods.

This means we no longer have a separate Community Wellbeing Plan (Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan).

We’ll report back regularly, including through our Annual Report and Mid-Year report, which track progress, share results and highlight the impact of our work. It’s how we stay accountable and show how your input is shaping Glen Eira’s future. 

At the end of the four years, we will evaluate the impact our activities have had on progressing the long-term community outcomes established in the Community Vision.

The Council Plan 2025–2029 is shaped by your voices through an extensive community engagement process.  Over a 12-month period in 2024–25, we had our largest ever conversation with the Glen Eira community through a dedicated engagement program called Our Place, Our Plan (OPOP).

This integrated, multi-phased program invited residents, stakeholders and partners to help shape the future of our City. The engagement reached people across all Glen Eira suburbs and demographic groups, including children and young people, people with disability, multicultural communities and other underrepresented groups.

A representative Community Priorities Panel of 39 residents worked together to provide us with informed recommendations on the priorities that matter most.

These insights directly informed the development of this Plan and our strategic priorities. Reports from all engagement phases are available at www.haveyoursaygleneira.com.au/OPOP