Your wrap of Moonee Valley City Council meeting | Tuesday 23 September

Missed this month’s Moonee Valley City Council Meeting? 

Below is a summary of items debated and endorsed. 

Remember: you can attend Council Meetings in-person or tune into the livestream via the MVCC website. The video recording remains available at the conclusion of the meeting, as do Agendas and Minutes from past meetings. 

Council in good financial shape

The Annual Financial Report presented to Council indicates that Council’s overall financial position is sound for the financial year ended 30 June 2025.

Capital works wins in 2024-25

A report to Council outlined the more than $55 million in capital works delivered over the course of the last financial year. Highlights include:

• the completion of road renewal works in Mascoma Street – Strathmore, Puckle Lane – Moonee Ponds and the Service Lanes along Bulla Road – Essendon;
• walking and cycling path projects, like the Cortina Place to Buckley Street path in Avondale Heights,
• Doyle Street Reserve sportsfield upgrade,
• Keilor Road streetscape improvement,
• Essendon Rowing Club female-friendly changerooms, and
• Maribyrnong Park Pavilion new modular changerooms.

Another $5 million in works still to be completed will be carried forward into the current financial year.

Performance improvements

The Council Performance Statement approved by Council on Tuesday noted a number of significant improvements from 2024-25, including:

• a 15% reduction in missed kerbside bin collections,
• a 14% drop in recycling costs, with the popularity of newly introduced Container Deposit Scheme, and
• increased community satisfaction with consultation and engagement at Council.

The Performance Statement and Governance and Management Checklist are part of the mandatory reporting system for all Victorian Councils.

You too can review Council’s performance – and compare it to that of other councils – on the Victorian government’s Know Your Council website.

Roads for repurpose

Councillors voted to commence the sale process for a portion of road abutting 147 Park Street, Moonee Ponds, for repurposing into improved off-street parking. Council officers did not foresee any traffic impacts from the sale.

That same process will be undertaken for a portion of the road abutting 18 Bayview Terrace in Ascot Vale. The land has not had ‘road’ status since the 1980s, and its sale to an adjoining property owner was earmarked for 2018 until concerns were raised about property access. The land parcel has since been redrawn, to alleviate the concerns.

A community engagement process will follow for both proposed sales.

Advocating for community

The federal government is currently reviewing the Disability Discrimination Act in light of recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission, and Council this month agreed to make a submission to the review. The Moonee Valley submission focuses on processes around Disability Action Plans (DAP), specifically things like community engagement, reporting and accountability, localised planning and regular DAP review processes. It’s hoped the review can strengthen the role of local government in creating more accessible communities.

Pound contract awarded

The Lost Dogs’ Home will continue to look after stray animals in Moonee Valley after Council voted to award the organisation a new, five-year contract. The procurement process determined the Lost Dogs’ Home was capable of providing the required service to a high standard and at the best value.

New and updated policies on councillor expenses, gifts and election candidature

The Council Expenses Policy and Councillor Gift Policy endorsed by Council were revised to strengthen governance and provide greater transparency and clarity.

The Council Expenses Policy provides greater clarity on reimbursement methods, formalises requirements for professional development approvals, equipment returns and parking permit use for councillors.

The simpler Councillor Gift Policy makes clear that gifts, benefits and hospitality should be declined in the first instance, and acceptance of a gift can only occur when there is no real or perceived likelihood of preferential service or influence on decision-making. All gifts worth more than $50 must be declared for transparency with our community.

Also endorsed was a policy for when a councillor wants to stand in a state or federal election. A councillor who has nominated as a candidate must write to the CEO as soon as possible, and declare their intended candidacy at the next Council meeting.

Once nominated, a candidate must apply for a leave of absence, during which time they cannot attend any meetings of the Council or perform councillor duties.

Councillors successfully elected to another level of government are no longer qualified to be a councillor, and must immediately resign their position.