Advocacy

How we advocate

Advocacy is how we champion the projects and policies that matter most to our community. We speak up on your behalf to other levels of government, peak bodies, industry, and community organisations.

Our advocacy priorities are shaped by evidence, community insights and performance data. They’re targeted, ready to deliver, and aligned with the Council Plan 2025–2029.

We provide civic leadership by working closely with the Australian and Victorian Governments, and with our local Members of Parliament, to address the issues that affect our shared communities.

We aim to make well-informed, transparent decisions and deliver highly valued services. That’s why our advocacy is organised, cohesive and clear — for Council and for our community. We advocate for reforms that are meaningful, achievable and aligned with what our community expects.

Why we advocate

Council is committed to delivering the projects and reforms you care about most. As the level of government closest to the community, we understand local challenges and opportunities better than anyone.

We have a bold and ambitious agenda for Glen Eira, but we can’t deliver it alone. We advocate to partner with the Australian and Victorian Governments to fund local projects and drive policy reform.

In 2024-2025, our advocacy has helped secure over $6 million in new funding for local initiatives — including upgrades to sports facilities, climate action programs, and improvements to walking and cycling networks. We also played a leading role in policy reform, working with regional advocacy groups and participating in peak body forums.

Council is committed to leading sector-wide conversations about reform, especially around financial sustainability. When councils are properly resourced, they build connected, cohesive and empowered communities.

What we advocate for

We’ve worked with our community to identify the priorities that matter most — and where we need other levels of government to partner with us.

Our advocacy priorities for 2025–2026 were adopted by Council on 28 October 2025. They are inclusive, transparent and financially responsible, with a strong focus on safety, wellbeing, sustainability and connection.

Our key focus areas include:

• Safe, supported and inclusive communities
• Future-ready places built for everyone
• Resilient communities powered by clean energy
• Fair and sustainable funding and smarter partnerships

Under each of these priorities, we’ve identified the projects we want funded and the policies we want reformed.

Looking ahead, we’ll continue to focus on our top priorities, using data to support our initiatives and working closely with other levels of government to deliver results.

Regional advocacy

We partner with other councils, peak bodies and community advocacy groups to collaborate on issues important to the community, where the reforms required go beyond our municipal boundary. Partnering where there are regional or sector-wide issues helps to raise awareness, combine resources, and enhance the voice of local government. Find out more at our regional advocacy webpage.

Our policy

In April 2022, Council endorsed our Advocacy policy. Our policy aims to provide direction and guidance for Council’s advocacy efforts ensuring it works in partnership with the community to influence public policy and resource allocation decisions for the benefit of Glen Eira.

How to get involved and have your say

We welcome community ideas, input and feedback. We want to strengthen relationships and build a better understanding of your needs and views, to inform our advocacy activities. We do this by engaging with you on our strategies, plans and priorities. Get involved to have your say and share your ideas and opinions by visiting our Have Your Say website.