Advocacy

Council welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with all levels of governments to deliver great outcomes for Whitehorse and beyond.

Policy Advocacy 

In June 2025, the following policy areas were endorsed by Council for advocacy ahead of the State Government Election in 2026:

Transport

Advocate to the State Government to repair key State Government managed roads including but not limited to: 

  • 1-3 Mahoneys Road, Forest Hill
  • 226 – 230 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading
  • 14 – 16 Blackburn Road, Blackburn 

Advocate to the Department of Transport and Planning to commit $10 million for detailed design for the entire length of the Box Hill to Hawthorn Strategic Cycling Corridor Trail, and to deliver the project.

Advocate to the State Government to enable Nelson Road overpass to have north-south connection over train line to Box Hill to Hawthorn Strategic Cycling Corridor.

Advocate to the State Government to fully upgrade the Box Hill Bus Interchange. 

Advocate to the State Government to fund a redeveloped Laburnum Train Station car park. 

Advocate to the State Government to improve accessibility for route 75 tram stops.

Community Services 

Advocate to the State Government to simplify the process of creating Community Joint Use Agreements with the Department of Education to unlock public land for community use. 

Advocate to the State Government for a 50/50 funding split for the provision of school crossing supervisors.

Advocate to the State Government for a 50/50 funding split for libraries in Whitehorse.

Advocate to the State Government to repeal the introduction of mandatory, purple-lidded bin for glass recycling. 

Planning

Advocate to the State Government to exempt council from the provisions of Windfall Gains Tax, or to allow funds collected by the tax to be redistributed back to the relevant local government area. 

Advocate to the State Government to release details of rates and new taxes or charges that are going to be applied to all properties within the SRL planning zones.

Advocate to the State Government to retain Significant Landscape Overlays and review and adjust the deemed to comply standards Open Space.

Advocate for more open space within the Whitehorse municipality to ensure there is adequate open space provision for a growing population and increased density as a result of the Victorian Government's Big Build Projects and planning reforms.

Capital Works Advocacy and Priority Projects

Each quarter we release our Advocacy Priorities booklet which outlines specific projects that will help deliver our vision for the city. 

We always welcome opportunities to partner with state and federal government, as well as surrounding councils and schools.