Double heartbreak for Kilmore

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April 28, 2026

THE first taste of footy at JJ Clancy Reserve didn’t go as planned for Kilmore’s seniors as they were upset by Heidelberg West by seven points on ANZAC Day.

Coming off a bye last weekend, the Blues were looking to consolidate a strong start to their campaign in the Northern Football Netball League’s (NFNL) division 3, and it seemed they would early on.

Zack Ferguson kicked the first goal of the game, a nice set shot from 40 metres out, just one minute in, and it was quickly followed up by another to young forward Emmett Clark.

The home side continued to dominate the territory for the first half of the opening term, but wayward kicking prevented them from piling on the pressure.

By the end of the quarter, Kilmore would have considered itself lucky to be in front with Heidelberg West peppering the goals for a 10-minute stretch which only resulted in seven behinds.

Kilmore coach Corey McCall tried to fire his boys up at the quarter-time break, imploring the team to lift their intensity in the second quarter.

Jared Crosbie and Jarvis Sleep answered the call, but their hard-running efforts weren’t enough to stifle the momentum that the Hawks had.

The visitors finally kicked a goal to take the lead after another two minor scores, and put another through that was quickly matched by Benjamin Doyle to keep it to a two-point game at the main break.

Kilmore huddle pic28 1068w WebRdy — QUARTER-TIME MOTIVATION: Blues senior coach Corey McCall tried to fire his side up at the first break during their shock loss to Heidelberg West.

Goals to Chris Barton and Crosbie put Kilmore up by 10 a few minutes into the third term, but the game see-sawed once more and the scores were tied heading into the last.

Conceding the first two goals of the quarter, the Blues hit back through Crosbie’s second of the game to reduce the deficit to three.

Given opportunities to take the lead, Kilmore couldn’t capitalise, while Heidelberg West kicked truly at the other end.

A late goal to Josh Vilinskis brought it back to just over a goal the difference, but time ran out to leave the Blues with a shock 60-53 loss.

It was almost a carbon copy in the reserves matchup where the visitors won 59-53.

Kilmore held a two-goal lead heading into the last and Ryan Knight kicked the first to stretch the margin to 15 points in the Blues’ favour.

But Heidelberg West hit back with four of the final five goals to win by six.

Knight ended with three goals and was Kilmore’s best alongside Mathew Lawson, Brian Lawrence and Christopher Jackson.

The Blues will host a white-hot Ivanhoe outfit next Saturday looking to make it three from three after two dominating performances to start their campaign.

Meanwhile, Kilmore’s netballers finished their NFNL grading on Friday with mixed results. Kilmore 1 played out a thriller to draw with Northcote Park 1, as did Kilmore 4 in their matchup with Diamond Creek 5. Kilmore 2 and 7 each won their games by 10, while the remaining teams lost.

ANZACs remembered

The North Central Review

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April 28, 2026

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THE Whittlesea RSL led a moving day of remembrance as the community gathered for ANZAC Day services on April 25, 2026.

Proceedings began before sunrise with a Dawn Service at 5.30am at the Memorial Arch on the corner of Forest and Walnut Streets. In the stillness of the early morning, residents, veterans, and families stood shoulder to shoulder to honour those who have served and sacrificed. The solemn ceremony featured traditional tributes, including the laying of wreaths and a minute’s silence, as the first light of day broke over the township.

The commemorations continued in the afternoon with a well-attended march stepping off at 2.30pm from the Whittlesea Bowls Club on Church Street.

WAnzac28Pic3 1068w WebRdy — WELL ATTENDED: Crowds flocked to the Memorial Arch for the afternoon commemorative service.

Veterans, current service personnel, community groups, and local organisations proudly made their way through the streets, watched by crowds who lined the route in support and respect.

Throughout the day, there was a strong sense of unity and reflection, with many attendees highlighting the importance of preserving the legacy of those who served. Younger generations were also present in significant numbers, reinforcing the enduring relevance of ANZAC Day traditions.

The Whittlesea RSL once again delivered a respectful and inclusive program, ensuring the sacrifices of past and present service members were honoured with dignity by the local community.

Fitzgerald snags 14 in game 300

Josh Squire

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April 28, 2026

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AN OTHERWORLDLY performance from Laurimar’s Patrick Fitzgerald helped his side to a crushing 158-point win over Kinglake at home on Saturday.

Playing in his 300th senior game in a career that started with Montmorency and is now with Laurimar, the party started early for Fitzgerald as he kicked the first two majors of the game.

He added three more in the second term to put the game away before half-time, and with the scoreline reading 86-11, there was surely talk of a big day out for the key forward during the coach’s address at the main break.

The Power continued to pile on the goals through the third with Matt Keys kicking three of his own, but come the fourth quarter it was all about Fitzgerald again.

Already with a six-goal haul, Laurimar’s sharpshooter kicked three majors in five minutes to edge his way towards double digits, which he converted in the 14th minute bringing massive cheers from the crowd.

But he wasn’t done there, kicking four more in red-time to take his tally to 14 for the day and 23 for the season in just three games.

There was no uncertainty that Fitzgerald was best on, but Bailey Macleod, Jesse Donaldson and Luke Wilson were also more than handy in a clinical performance.

NFNL Fitzgerald pic28 — FOURTEEN OF THE BEST: There was no stopping Patrick Fitzgerald in his milestone game as he pulled down marks like this one all day.

Earlier in the day, the reserves did even more damage to the Lakers with a 201-6 rout thanks to a seven-goal haul to Nicholas Storer and six-apiece to Jake Francis and Zac McMahon. The under-19.5s did the job on Macleod by 108 points.

Over in Whittlesea, a sombre pre-game ANZAC Day ceremony was the precursor for a strong performance from the Eagles who took down Old Paradians in division two, 101-43.

It seemed like everywhere you went people were producing five-goal hauls, and it was Caden Allen who joined in on the fun for Whittlesea, kicking six.

The game was still tight at half-time when Whittlesea led by 10 points, but a second half scoreline of 10.6 (66) to 2.6 (18) proved that the Eagles were not to be underestimated despite a big loss last week.

Bailey Robinson kicked two of his own and was alongside Allen in the best with Mitchell Andrews, Deakin Tennant, Steven Dempsey and Thomas Crowley also featuring.

Meanwhile the Whittlesea reserves made it two in a row with a six goal win over the Raiders thanks to Angus Smith’s five goals, and the under-19.5s put a gap on the rest of the competition by beating Bundoora 115-45 to remain undefeated.

Down the road at Lower Plenty Oval, South Morang came from behind to pull off a stunning two-point win against the Bears to move to 2-1 for the season.

Things were looking dire when Lower Plenty’s Tyler Wallace but the home side in front by four goals early in the second term, but the Lions fought back hard to take the lead late in the third quarter.

It was an all-in performance from the visitors with no one kicking more than two goals. Star recruit Noah Cumberland put one through midway through the final term to give the Bears a 13-point advantage, but the game was still far from over.

Lower Plenty hammered away at the goals but were unable to convert as the clock ticked down, and they were left to rue six consecutive behinds to finish the game as South Morang held on to clinch a stirring victory.

Cayden Failla, Tyrone Leonardis and Teague Van Zweinen were among the best for the Lions, while Cumberland, Ethan Lowe, Ben Peterson and Carter McCall each kicked two.

It was close in the reserves too where a late comeback from Lower Plenty was curbed by two late goals to Max Hayes, the Lions holding on to that one by 15 points.

South Morang’s under-19.5s were clinical in their 94-point win over Old Paradians under the lights on Friday night.

Both Whittlesea and South Morang’s seniors will play home games this Saturday afternoon against Fitzroy Stars and Northcote Park respectively, while Laurimar will travel to Eltham to take on Old Eltham Collegians. Mernda will be back in action after their bye, taking on Watsonia at Binnak Park.

Wallan childcare plan approved by council

Josh Squire

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April 28, 2026

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Wallan childcare plan approved by council

STANLEY STREET in Wallan will be getting another childcare centre after the Mitchell Shire Council (MSC) granted a permit last Monday.

Developers will begin the process of transforming the current residential land at 21 Stanley Street into a five-room centre which would allow 96 children to attend, with up to 20 rostered staff on site at any one time.

The proposed centre will operate from 6.30am to 6.30pm from Monday to Friday.

Entry to the 21-space carpark would be from Raglan Street, and a new raised pedestrian crossing would be installed on the street.

Councillors were split as they debated whether to green-light the application, with a key point of discussion centering around whether it was going to be worth the cost of denying it.

Councillors Claudia James and Andrea Pace spoke first, and despite their reluctance to agree with the application, said they would be voting in favour.

“This permit application isn’t perfect and there’s a few criticisms given the number of childcare centres in Wallan,” Cr James said.

“However, given previous decisions at VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal), if the developer took us to VCAT I’m sure the decision would go through.”

Cr Pace added: “For the people who came in and objected to this proposal, please know that you have been heard. Unfortunately, the state government gives a certain legislation that if something is applied for in a specific zone, we can’t really deny it.”

“We can’t deny without basis, and in this situation with this particular case there is no basis to deny it. To do so would just be wasting ratepayers’ money.

“Our hands are basically tied, but we have heard everything that you have said and where there is room for us to move, we will do so. Unfortunately, we can’t in this situation.”

Objections from the public were heard at the Community Questions and Hearings meeting on April 7, where eight submissions were received voicing their disproval of the proposed development.

Residents brought up issues about noise, fence height and the suitability of the road for increased usage when the childcare centre is opened. They also shared their concerns about

The motion was ultimately passed with seven councillors voting in favour, while councillors Riley Evans and Timothy Hanson held firm in their beliefs that this was not in the Shire’s best interests.

“Much like the Duke Street proposal for a childcare centre … it is in the wrong place,” Cr Evans said.

“I have to listen to my community and not support this recommendation.”

Cr Bob Cornish spoke about the benefits that the childcare centre will bring to the area, but recognised the public’s concerns.

“These items are sometimes a bit contentious when it comes to site and location, but the subject site has the benefit of being close to town, with opportunity for multi-purpose trips,” Cr Cornish said.

“Because of the growth, and the rate of newcomers to the town and the birthrate, the proposal is in accordance with the purposes of the zone and the need is there for such a facility.”

Stanley Street has been subject to multiple childcare applications in recent times, including one last year to transform 2 Stanley Street into a 92-child early learning facility.

That application was denied by Council, in part due to the objection received from the Council’s Engineering/Traffic team. The current application at 21 Stanley Street received no objections from any of the Council’s teams, nor the Department of Transport.

In other news from last Monday’s meeting, John Brand & Co., also known as Brand Architects, have been awarded a nearly $2 million contract to design the proposed Beveridge Central Active Open Space.

The master plan for the area shows that a number of sporting facilities will be built as part of the Active Open Space, including rectangular pitches, cricket nets and four small-sided synthetic football pitches. A communal pavilion and kid’s playground will also be constructed in the area.

The space may act in part as a high-performance facility if talks between the MSC and Melbourne Victory Football Club progress, with prior reporting stating that the A-League club are planning to open their first campus in the suburb.

Brand Architects was chosen from a group of 15 submissions to the MSC’s Evaluation Panel, thanks in part to their established working relationships with Melbourne Victory and an extensive track record of completing projects of similar scale.

Art Show a big hit

Jo Kubeil

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April 28, 2026

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ONCE again, the Kilmore Art Expo hosted a successful exhibition for all ages to appreciate local artists, along with others from around Victoria and interstate.

Close to 350 artists entered the competition held at the Memorial Hall in Kilmore last weekend.

The event was presented by Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell and The Kilmore Art Society and thanks to the generosity of sponsors, $7680 in prize money was shared between the winning entrants.

Judges included David Chen for open section painting, Raymond Fagg for photography and Greg Stute sculpture.

The Kilmore Racing Club sponsored the grand prize, Best in Show (painting in any medium), and Salvatore Trigila won with his painting, Irises.

Five artists collected $550 each for their entries and these included:

The best oil painting, Kilmore Farmland View by Ben Winspear (sponsored by Kilmore Toyota).

Best water colour, Smokey Gums by Nina Volk, who won the Louise Payne prize).

Best pastel, Ibis by Ricky Schembri, won the Jain award). Best acrylic, Three Boats, by Glenn Hoyle (sponsored by the Dyson Family), best any other medium, Red Gold Outback Colours, by Giselle Bolotin (sponsored by La Dimora).

The Kilmore Art Expo offers an opportunity to artists to enter The Best Small Treasure category, and Dianna Garth’s A day on the Australian Coast won the Lavender Hill Farm Award ($350).

Maureen Runge impressed the judges with her larger canvas, a water colour The Gum ($220 – the Expo Committee).

The Goulburn Murray Credit Union once again sponsored the major prize for photography exhibits. Kerrie Gerlach’s entry Wallaces Hut Falls Creek won $750 in prize money.

Leanne Robson’s Unending received the Highly Commended, Val and David Corke award. The outstanding achievement was taken out by Rosemary Scott for Ant Music ($150 voucher from Milners Picture Frames Broadford).

Sculpture made a comeback to the expo and Greg Stute selected the best exhibits sharing prize money sponsored by the Expo Committee between its winners.

Kyneton artist Anne Anderson’s Elise won best sculpture in show, while Molly Lindsay won highly commended for her Duo of Quail and local Chris Anderson was runner-up with Black Cockatoo.

The People’s Choice Award (a $400 framing voucher presented by Kilmore Picture Framers) was given to A Little Birdie Told me So by Cheryl Eve.

Cheryl said she used oil paints: “It was on my easel for months. The inspiration came from being on my own again. The muse is a friend of mine from Wangaratta.”

The winner of the door prize, a basket of Nestle lollies, was Catherine Payne from Kilmore.

But the spotlight moment for art enthusiasts alike was

Liz Eades from Cheltenham won the raffle draw of Three Piece Harmony donated to the Kilmore Art Society by Ben Winspear.

Highlighting young people’s talent is at the top of President Jeanette Jain’s agenda and this year the presentations were held on Sunday. Entrants were judged by the Expo Committee and awards were presented by Three Brushes Studio business owner Sharon Delany.

Thanks to the generosity of the committee, Metro Freightlines, and Three Brushes Studio, prize money was awarded to the Best in Painting and Photography age groups.

In the Y1 (6-9 age group) Art Show category, Phoebe Haritondis won the best youth painting Sunset on the Beach, and in between Johanna Wallace won with Skipping Stones, and in the Y3 (14-17 age group), Woodend resident Eliza Ransome won with Shopping.

In the photography section, the youngest gallery did not attract any entrants. However, the Y2 (10 -13 age group,) Lucas Dixons’ Pink Skies Ahead, was voted best and in the Y3, Abigail Reynold’s Red Forest wowed the judges and also received the encouragement award.

Additionally, six art packs made excellent encouragement awards and these were supplied by the Avery Family and the Kilmore Art Society. Awardees included Amelia Cole (Y1) for Rainbow, Harriet Schembri (Y2) for Vibrant, Daniel Amstead (Y2) for his wood etching Mountains Mill and Willow Melvaine-Dainton (Y3) for In Bloom.

Developing Youth (artist) awards were presented to Genevieve Hibbert for Galaxy, Alexander Boulton for Roly-Poly, and Jessica Frankenberg for Origami Turtles.

Some of the artworks on exhibit were also for sale and at the event’s closure about 10 per cent were sold during the event.

As the volunteers put the show to bed, they begin planning for the 19^th show.

Volunteers are welcome to lend a hand hanging lights and setting up the gallery. For details, visit www.kilmoreartexpo.com.au

Wood is Acting CEO

The North Central Review

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April 28, 2026

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DEBBIE Wood will take up the reins as the top officer at the City of Whittlesea.

At a meeting last Tuesday, the Whittlesea Council unanimously decided to appoint Ms Wood as Acting Chief Executive Officer.

Ms Wood takes charge from May 21, filling the post held by the current CEO Craig Lloyd, who leaves on May 20.

Ms Wood is no stranger to the top role, having served as Acting Chief Executive Officer at the City of Whittlesea on many occasions in the past.

She joined the City of Whittlesea executive team in 2020 and currently serves as Director of Infrastructure and Environment.

She brings extensive experience in local government, having held senior roles at the City of Greater Bendigo, the City of Hobart, and the City of Casey.

City of Whittlesea Mayor Cr Lawrie Cox said the council is confident Ms Wood will provide strong and stable leadership during this transition, ensuring the organisation continues to deliver the important services the community relies on.

“Council extends its congratulations to Ms Wood on her appointment and looks forward to working closely with her during this period,” Cr Cox said.

Asked to spell out her goals and aspiration for the top post, the media team informed the Review Ms Wood would not make any further comments.

Mr Lloyd, who joined the City of Whittlesea in 2020, has accepted the role of CEO at the City of Joondalup in Western Australia.

Meanwhile, council’s CEO Employment Matters Advisory Committee has started the recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive Officer.

Wallan stays undefeated with ANZAC Day romp

Josh Squire

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April 28, 2026

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Wallan stays undefeated with ANZAC Day romp

ANOTHER five-goal haul for Lachlan Smart has helped Wallan to a thumping 67-point win over Melton South in a Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL) twilight matchup on ANZAC Day.

Members of the senior men’s football and A-grade netball teams from both towns paid their respects in a ceremony before games got under way.

On the footy field, it was the Magpies who got the scoreboard moving early, kicking the first two goals of the game. The Panthers kicked the next but the home side got on a roll after that, kicking seven straight majors to push the lead to 50 midway through the second term.

Dion Hill was instrumental early in the game, using his run and physicality to surge the ball forward, as was Smart who had already registered four majors by the 12th minute mark of the second quarter.

He kicked his fifth straight after the half-time break and things were getting ugly for the visitors.

Wallan Smart pic28 1068w WebRdy — ANOTHER FIVE-PIECE: Sharpshooter Lachlan Smart was all over the Melton South defenders, booting a handful in the first half.

Inaccuracy from the Pies was the only thing slowing the scoreboard, so when they started to straighten up with red-time goals to Dion Hill (two), Chris Stewart and Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson, the scoreboard disparity grew rapidly.

An even final term wouldn’t have bothered the big crowd in attendance at all, with Wallan winning 137-70.

The Magpies remain unbeaten across their senior football sides so far this season, after Wallan’s reserves got the job done by 30 points despite kicking inaccurately in front of goal. A three-goal performance from Alastair Clarke helped the under-19.5s to a 3-0 start of their own, winning by eight goals.

The winning ways spread to the netball court where the A-grade netballers handled their opponents with ease, winning by 33 points.

Wallan Netball pic28 1068w WebRdy edited

Once again it was Maeve Donegan capitalising on good entries into the goal circle from her teammates, notching up 47 goals to help the Magpies to first place on the ladder after three rounds.

The B-grade team also sits atop the table after it dealt with the Panthers 54-36, while results didn’t go the way of the lower grades, nor the 19-and-under squad.

Down the road, Lancefield hosted Kyneton under the lights at Lancefield Park, and were joined by the vice-president of the Romsey Lancefield RSL Ron Cole who spoke at the pre-game ceremony.

The sun had well and truly set by the time the women hit the netball court for the Battle of the Tigers, and it made for an exciting atmosphere as Lancefield got the jump early.

Lfield Anzac pic28 1068w WebRdy — UNDER THE LIGHTS: Members of all of Lancefield’s senior football and netball teams came together to observe the pre-game ceremony before the final matches of their ANZAC Day schedule got underway.

Kyneton got their game up and going towards the end of the first quarter to reduce the margin to two goals, and hit the lead not long after.

The home side got the momentum back with some midcourt steals, but couldn’t shake their opponents who were utilising their height advantage in attack.

Mia Daly and Chloe Hodgson were dynamic working the ball to Shanae Brundell and Lilli Florance in the goal circle, and their sharpshooting meant Lancefield held a three-point lead at the midway point of the game.

Kyneton fought back again to win the third quarter by four goals, meaning it was all to play for in the last period.

But with two wins already under their belt for the season, Lancefield out-pointed the winless Kyneton when it mattered to win by two.

The home Tigers swept the away Tigers in the other netball grades, including an 88-13 romp in B-grade.

Lfield Netball pic28 1068w WebRdy — CLUTCH SHOOTING: Shanae Brundell put up 34 goals in another strong performance.

Meanwhile out on the oval, the difficult start to the season continued for Lancefield, with a third straight loss anchoring the senior men to the bottom of the ladder.

Kyneton was clinical from the start, and led by 29 at the first break.

Andreas Boukouras’ first quarter goal and Reuben Schembri’s attack on the ball were flashes in the pan for the home team as they tried to keep the scoreboard in check, but the visitors piled on nine goals in a row to stretch their lead to 80 near the end of the third term.

By the time the final siren sounded, the score read 134-43.

Riley Omeara and Leroy Ristevski were once again in the best alongside Schembri and Boukouras, while Thomas Sayers carried over his goal kicking form from last week to bag two.

Lancefield’s reserves fell just short of an upset, going down by five points in a thriller. The home side kicked a late goal to give themselves a shot, but couldn’t get a clean possession in the forward 50 to kick the winner.

The under-19.5s suffered their second consecutive 100-point loss.

In the women’s footy competition, Lancefield got their first win of the season with a comprehensive 73-point win over Mount Alexander in Harcourt.

Thanks largely to bags of goals to Meaghan Lyons (five) and Harriet Ziedaitis (four), the Tigers led from start to finish.

Harmony Cassar was awarded best on ground for her hard work which included a goal, and was joined in the best by Ziedaitis, Emily Williams, Alice Bromley, Lyons and Caitriona Goldsworthy.

Romsey’s men return from a week off next Saturday to face Woodend-Hesket at home, while Lancefield and Wallan are on the road, travelling to Riddell and Kyneton respectively. The Lancefield women will play Riddell.

Poppy blooms in Brisbane

Josh Squire

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April 28, 2026

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LOCAL sprinting star Poppy Robinson took her talent interstate during the school holidays, winning medals at both the Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALACs) and Australian Athletics Junior Championships (AAJCs) held in Brisbane.

Starting her five days of competition with the under-13s 200m at the ALACs, Poppy won gold in a meet-record time of 25.04s, holding her form to the end to beat out competitors from all across the country.

She backed that up with another gold in the under-13s 400m on the second day, a performance that her mum Skye Bryans said showed her determination to win.

“She’s quick, but with her 400 … she’s going toe-to-toe with the girl that comes second, and really it was her mental toughness that got her to the line,” she said.

She finished the ALACs by running the third leg of the under-13 4x100m relay, and secured a third gold medal in a meet record of 49.61s alongside some of the best Victorian girls in her age group. But then it was over to the AAJCs.

Competing against an even stronger crop of athletes, Poppy dropped the 400m for the 100m and added the mixed 4x200m relay to her already busy schedule.

She started with the 200m again, finishing third with a similar time to her ALACs efforts a couple of days earlier, and backed it up with a superb run in the 4x100m to help Victoria claim gold.

Poppy then ran a blistering 12.41s the next afternoon in the 100m to come in second place, and finished off her debut at the AAJCs in the mixed 4x200m, where the Victorian team finished third.

Across the two meets, Poppy finished with four gold medals, a silver and two bronzes. She told the Review: “I just tried my best and I was happy with the results.”

“The 400m race (was my favourite) because it was the most challenging and the most satisfying.”

Talking about the way her daughter approached the competition, Mrs Bryans said: “To her, it’s just another race. It’s not the next step or anything like that. And I said to her, ‘you don’t understand, this is a national competition. This is the best in Australia, it’s an unbelievable achievement’.”

“To think she’s one of the quickest kids in Australia is pretty weird.”

Wallan basketballers go two for two

Josh Squire

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April 28, 2026

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THE Wallan Panthers have continued their winning ways with both of their senior sides notching up important victories at the weekend.

A Saturday night beatdown against RMIT University at RB Robson Stadium showed a ruthless side to Wallan’s women, running out winners by 47 points.

Emmie Gardiner (24 points) and Ranika Guyton (23) did the bulk of the scoring in the first quarter to give the Panthers a 22-9 lead after the first period.

Scoring continued to be difficult for the visitors who were held to just 17 points in the first half, with Wallan registering 17 steals and 11 blocks for the game.

Every Panthers player got on the score sheet, and they move to 4-1 on the season following the 92-45 win.

The men’s side was away again on Sunday, defeating Southern Peninsula by ten points in Rosebud.

The Panthers were roaring early, putting together the first ten points of the match and capitalised on this momentum to lead by 21 at half time.

The lead stayed comfortable despite a fourth-quarter comeback from the Sharks that brought them back within single digits.

Luke Cairns provided much needed scoring in the last period, and was ably assisted by big man Nathan Aikman who pulled down 17 rebounds to go along with his 21 points.

The men’s side travels again next week to take on Melton, while the women have a bye.

$1.94b plan unveiled

The North Central Review

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April 28, 2026

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THE City of Whittlesea Council has released a sweeping set of proposed strategic documents that would see almost $2 billion invested over the next four years in community services, infrastructure and long-term planning.

The centrepiece of the plan is the Proposed Budget 2026-27 and Proposed Community Action Plan 2026-27, which have now been endorsed for public exhibition. Councillors voted to back the release of the documents at the April council meeting, noting they are designed to keep finances on a responsible footing while meeting the demands of one of Victoria’s fastest-growing municipalities.

Under the proposal, council would spend $1.94 billion over four years, including an initial $468.45 million in 2026-27. A total of $429.36 million has been earmarked for capital works across the same period, with $115.49 million allocated next financial year alone.

The funding would support the delivery of essential day-to-day services such as kerbside waste collection, maternal and child health, libraries, maintenance of parks and open spaces, and the upkeep of existing facilities. It would also help fund new infrastructure needed to accommodate the city’s rapidly expanding and increasingly diverse population.

Major upgrades to community assets and long-term projects are expected to form a key part of the investment program, aimed at creating what is described as a lasting legacy for residents.

The Proposed Budget 2026-27, including fees and charges, was open for community feedback from Wednesday, April 22, to Tuesday, April 28. Residents can review the documents through council’s Engage Whittlesea platform and make formal submissions.

A Hearing of Submissions Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5, at 5pm in the Council Chamber at Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang, where submitters can speak directly to councillors about their feedback.

The Proposed Community Action Plan 2026-27 will be exhibited until Wednesday, May 6, with additional consultation through community pop-ups and targeted engagement, including with the City of Whittlesea Youth Council.

Both documents are scheduled to return to council for final consideration and possible adoption at the June 16 council meeting.