Community safety and inclusion
Through actions that strengthen community safety, inclusion and coordinated responses, guided by the Community Safety Framework and delivery of Year 1 Antisemitism Strategy actions.
What we heard
Council adopts Action Plan and Budget for 2026-27
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback on the draft 2026–27 Action Plan and Budget. The final plans were adopted by Council at its meeting on 30 June 2026.
You can access the adopted Action Plan and Budget for 2026-27 at our website.
What we heard
We invited feedback over three weeks, from 29 April to 20 May 2026. We received 125 submissions across the engagement, including survey responses, quick poll votes, written submissions and conversations at pop-ups.
Below is a snapshot of what we heard. You can also read the full engagement report for more detail.
How your feedback was used
Overall, feedback broadly supported the direction and priorities outlined in the draft Action Plan and Budget, indicating that we've struck the right balance between reflecting community priorities and supporting long-term financial sustainability. The engagement also highlighted additional ideas and opportunities that will help inform Council's work as the Action Plan is implemented.
Key themes raised during the engagement are reflected in the adopted Action Plan and Budget, including:
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Environmental sustainability
Through investment in tree planting, maintenance and protection programs, continued delivery of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and exploration of options for private charging over Council land.
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Active transport
Through improvements to walking and cycling connections, including projects linking Glen Huntly and Bentleigh stations and improved cycling links at the Queens Avenue/Normanby Road intersection.
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Vibrant activity centres
Through investment in Better Streets, Better Places projects, streetscape upgrades, public realm enhancements and other improvements that support safe, accessible and thriving local centres.
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Value for money and financial sustainability
Recognising community concerns about cost-of-living pressures through a strong focus on efficiency, while maintaining investment in priority infrastructure and services through a targeted one-year rate cap variation and delivery of Council's Financial Sustainability Strategy.
How we engaged
Our focus for 2026–27
We’re inviting you to have your say on the draft 2026–27 Action Plan and Budget. These draft plans are about delivering what matters most to the community, while managing money responsibly in a constrained financial environment.
Glen Eira is growing, increasing pressure on everyday services, infrastructure and places people use daily.
The focus is on maintaining and improving the essentials now, while planning sustainably for future needs.
The draft plans build on what more than 1,500 people shared through Our Place, Our Plan. They are also guided by Council’s Financial Sustainability Strategy, to help protect valued services, facilities and programs as costs continue to rise.
Help us get the balance right
Share your feedback by Wednesday 20 May 2026.
- complete the quick poll or the survey 📝
- email engagement@gleneira.vic.gov.au 📧
- call us on 9524 3333 📞
- write to us at PO Box 2421, Caulfield Junction, VIC 3161 📫
- visit us at one of our in-person pop-up engagements 🎪
For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions.
You can also request a hard copy of the survey form to be posted to you. To request this, contact us at (03) 9524 3333 or email us at engagement@gleneira.vic.gov.au.
What you'll see in 2026-27
Read the summary of the Action Plan and Budget or explore the full draft plans in the document library.
Action Plan
Four focus areas
Getting the essentials right is the core focus of the draft 2026–27 Action Plan. It sets out Council’s priorities for the year ahead and how they support the four strategic directions in the Council Plan 2025–2029.
We’re focusing on what you’ve told us matters most — feeling safe, supported and welcome in your neighbourhood.
Our priority is caring for the places our community relies on each day. By investing in maintaining and improving what people already know and value, we can make the greatest difference to daily life — rather than expanding services or delivering premium infrastructure.
Use the arrow below to explore the key projects and initiatives in the draft Action Plan, and how they support the four strategic directions.
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Community safety, cohesion, health and wellbeing
What you’ll see
- Rollout of the Community Safety Framework
- A new Antisemitism Strategy to address discrimination towards our Jewish community
- Youth wellbeing programs co‑designed with young people
- Development and implementation of an Age‑Friendly City Action Plan
- Longer library self‑service hours at Elsternwick and Bentleigh
- Continued reconciliation with First Nations communities through our next Reconciliation Action Plan
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Diverse, welcoming and accessible places
What you’ll see
- Completion of the Mackie Road Reserve Pavilion
- Adoption of Council’s first Community Infrastructure Plan
- Footpath upgrades across Glen Eira
- Improvements along the Frankston Rail Trail
- Safer school drop‑off and pick‑up areas
- Smarter parking management and new technology trials
- Better seating, lighting and greenery in activity centres
- Public art and events to bring life to shopping strips
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Environmental stewardship
What you'll see
- A new Urban Forest Strategy
- Getting Off Gas upgrades at Council facilities
- A pilot biodiversity corridor
- Litter reduction work along Elster Creek
- A new Glass Recycling Plan
- Trials of solar power and community batteries
- Caring for Country program with Traditional Owners
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Innovative and financially sustainable
What you’ll see
- Ongoing delivery of the Financial Sustainability Strategy
- Digital upgrades and stronger cyber security
- Better understanding of the places that matter most to our community, to plan future improvements
- Better use of Council buildings and land
- A more strategic approach to grants
- Clearer, plain‑language communication
Budget
A balanced and responsible approach
The draft 2026–27 Budget has been developed in a challenging environment, with rising construction costs, energy prices and service delivery pressures. We’ve taken a careful and measured approach — prioritising renewal over expansion, managing debt responsibly, and planning within available funding.
Guided by the Council Plan 2025–2029 and Financial Sustainability Strategy, the Budget focuses investment on essential services, asset renewal and priority projects that deliver long‑term value for the community.
Use the arrow below to explore how we’re investing in place‑based improvements through our 2026–27 Capital Works Program. For more details, read the Frequently Asked Questions.
Key place-based improvements
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Asset renewal — $17.39 million
Investment to keep community assets safe, accessible, compliant and fit for purpose. This focuses on renewing existing assets, including parks and open space, roads and drainage, buildings, leisure and aquatic centres, fleet and plant, IT infrastructure and libraries.
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Land acquisition — $14.75 million
Settlement of the Elsternwick Bowls Club site, securing strategically important land in line with Council’s Open Space Strategy. This will increase access to open space and deliver long-term community, recreation and environmental benefits.
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Climate and sustainability — $5.16 million
Investment to support Council’s emissions reduction commitments and transition facilities off gas. This includes $4.9 million for the Getting Off Gas project at Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre, along with energy efficiency upgrades, solar installations and other sustainability initiatives.
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Activity centres — $2.20 million
Place-based improvements to support safe, accessible and vibrant local centres. This includes This includes Better Streets, Better Places projects, streetscape upgrades, public realm improvements and planning activities that enhance how people move through and use activity centres.
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Community safety — $2.11 million
Projects to improve safety across the municipality, including intersection upgrades, pedestrian and school safety works, shopping centre safety improvements, disabled parking upgrades, local traffic management initiatives and cycling safety projects.
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Community facilities — $1.06 million
Renewal and upgrade works to sporting and reserve pavilions to support local clubs, volunteers and community use.
Supporting everyday services
Alongside capital investment, the Budget funds the services residents rely on everyday — including libraries, waste and recycling, community safety programs, parks maintenance, leisure facilities, planning services, and support services for families, older people and vulnerable community members.
Service levels are largely maintained, with a strong focus on delivering value for money, improving efficiency, and prioritising essential and high‑impact services.
Privacy collection notice
Glen Eira City Council is committed to protecting the personal information provided by you in accordance with the principles of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic). The privacy collection notice explains the purpose for which information is collected, and how we will use and handle the information. You can view the privacy collection notice for this project here: Privacy Collection Notice.
