THE City of Whittlesea (CoW) has renewed calls for urgent State Government investment in Melbourne’s north.
In the lead up to the November state election, Mayor Councillor Lawrie Cox has urged the Victorian Government to support the needs of the CoW’s rapidly growing population with infrastructure, services and economic opportunities.
The CoW’s population is expected to increase from 268,944 residents this year to more than 393,000 by 2040 with co-investment from all levels of government required to meet the growing community’s needs.
Cr Cox also called on the Victorian Government to re-examine changes to the planning system which have reduced councils’ role in local planning, and limited the community’s say in decisions that impact their neighbourhoods.
At its May 2026 meeting Council resolved to write to the Minister for Planning expressing concerns about the impact changes would have on local planning and neighbourhood design.
The CoW’s Advocacy Prospectus sets out a clear roadmap for the critical investment needed to support the municipality’s growth.
The prospectus outlines priority projects and initiatives that require co-investment from the Victorian and Australian governments, as Council cannot deliver them alone.
Advocacy priorities includekey road upgrades to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and make it easier for people to access jobs, education and essential services, better bus services and rail extensions, a reinvestment of 10 per cent of waste levy fees paid by the CoW into Council-run services to address illegal dumping, more social and affordable homes and homelessness support services, planning controls for councils that facilitate the delivery of housing in quality, connected neighbourhoods, supported with essential infrastructure and local facilities, maternal and Child Health funding, a purpose-built Youth Hub, mobile and broadband infrastructure upgrades and increased maintenance of state-controlled land and a reinvestment of the state’s landfill levy to support the management of illegally dumped rubbish.
Cr Cox said there needed to be a level of cooperation into an important period for Council.
“Our community has been clear about what it needs, and now we need the Victorian Government to step up and do their part. The north deserves a fair share of state investment to meet the demands of rapid growth and support the people who live and work here. This is not a future issue, it is an urgent priority. We need funding committed now to deliver the infrastructure, services and economic opportunities our community needs now,” he said.
“Local councils understand their communities better than anyone. Planning decisions that shape our neighbourhoods, infrastructure and future growth should be made locally, not from Spring Street. We are calling for planning controls to be reconsidered so councils can ensure development responds to its local context, supported by the right infrastructure, and delivers the outcomes our residents expect and deserve.
“We are committed to being a strong voice for our community and advocating for the investment and opportunities we need in the north to help our region thrive.
“Through collaboration and co-investment with the Victorian and Australian governments, we can secure the vital infrastructure, services and support our residents need now and into the future.”
