Greater Dandenong City Council endorsed its Council Plan 2025/29, Annual Plan 2025/56, Budget 2025/26 and other key documents at its Council Meeting on Monday 23 June.
“The adoption of these documents is significant step for our new council group,” Mayor Councillor Jim Memeti said. “The Council Plan sets our priorities and strategic direction for this term of Council.
“I’d like to thank the more than 3,300 Greater Dandenong residents and business owners who contributed their ideas, suggestions and feedback as part of the development of the Council Plan and other documents. We’re especially grateful to the 40 community members who participated in the deliberative panel over four days, to report to Council on behalf of the community.
“This Council Plan is focused on achieving outcomes on issues the community has told us they want us to prioritise.
We heard community concerns about public safety and amenity. We’ve got a big investment in road re-surfacing and the final stage of the Perry Road upgrade. We’ve also got a commitment of $1.83 million for CCTV renewal.
We know people are worried about homelessness and housing affordability, so that will be a high priority in our advocacy efforts to other levels of government.
Other key themes in the Council Plan and budget are environmental sustainability, arts and vibrant places, and support for businesses and entrepreneurship.
“Big ticket investments for 2025/26 obviously include the construction of the Dandenong Wellbeing Centre, due to open in 2027; and work towards the Dandenong New Arts project.”
Cr Memeti said, “This year’s budget is responsible and measured. It commits to great facilities that will serve our community for decades to come, but we’ve managed to keep the average rate increase for residential properties at just 0.11%, noting the cost-of-living pressures faced by residents. Now it’s time for us to get on with delivering.”