Advocacy priorities

The issue

Community and care services play a critical role in supporting the health, wellbeing and resilience of Hobsons Bay residents. However, current funding models are often short-term, fragmented and difficult to navigate. This creates uncertainty for service providers and limits their ability to plan, collaborate and respond to growing demand. As service models evolve, particularly in areas such as aged care, there is increasing pressure on local government to fill gaps without clear, sustainable funding.

Our ask

Council is advocating for stronger, more sustainable and coordinated funding frameworks for community and care services. This includes:

• Reconsidering proposed aged care structural changes that place additional responsibility on councils without sustainable funding.
• Supporting councils with transition planning and resourcing as service models shift
• Establishing long-term funding agreements that provide certainty for youth, aged and community care programs in Hobsons Bay.
• Improving coordination across government funding programs.
• Increasing investment aligned to population growth and local need.

Why this matters

Strengthening funding frameworks will:

• Improve service stability and continuity.
• Support better outcomes for individuals and families.
• Enable more efficient and coordinated service delivery.
• Ensure communities can access the support they need, when they need it.

The issue

Hobsons Bay’s coastal location and low-lying areas make it increasingly vulnerable to flooding and sea level rise. Climate change is already contributing to more frequent and intense weather events, placing pressure on local infrastructure, homes and community assets. A coordinated, long-term approach is needed to manage these impacts and protect the community.

Our ask

Council is advocating for targeted investment and coordinated action to address flooding and sea level rise impacts. This includes:

• Providing dedicated funding to upgrade stormwater infrastructure in suburbs experiencing ongoing flooding.
• Supporting council to rebuild and maintain critical drainage and coastal structures to manage rising sea levels.
• Clarifying and strengthening agency responsibility for long-term drainage and flood management planning.
• Investing in coastal protection and flood mitigation infrastructure.
• Supporting climate adaptation planning and implementation.

Why this matters

Addressing these risks will:

• Protect homes, infrastructure and community assets
• Improve safety and emergency preparedness
• Support long-term resilience to climate impacts
• Safeguard the liveability and economic future of Hobsons Bay

The issue

Rate capping limits how much councils can increase revenue, but it does not reflect the real cost of delivering services and maintaining infrastructure. While demand for services continues to grow, costs for construction, materials and labour are rising faster than CPI. This creates increasing pressure on councils to maintain assets and meet community needs.

Without reform, this gap will continue to impact long-term financial sustainability and service delivery.

Our ask

Council is advocating for a fairer and more sustainable rate capping framework that reflects the real cost of delivering services and maintaining infrastructure. This includes:

• Reviewing the rate capping framework so it reflects real cost drivers such as construction, labour and materials, not just CPI.
• Introducing a local government cost index to guide future rate cap settings.
• Providing increased annual infrastructure renewal funding to address sector-wide asset gaps.

Why this matters

Reforming rate capping will:

• Support the long-term financial sustainability of councils.
• Enable ongoing investment in essential infrastructure.
• Maintain service levels for growing communities.
• Reduce the risk of asset decline and future cost pressures.