From lef (back): Cr Bill Chisholm (Mayor, Mitchell Shire Council), Cathy Henderson (CEO, Moreland City Council), Brett Luxford (CEO, Mitchell Shire Council), Sheena Frost (CEO Hume City Council), Cr Mark Riley (Mayor, Moreland City Council), Carl Cowie (CEO, Nillumbik Shire Council), Craig Lloyd (CEO, City of Whittlesea) (Front) Allison Beckwith (CEO, Banyule Shire Council), Cr Carly Moore (Mayor, Hume City Council), Cr Francis Eyre (Mayor, Nillumbik Shire Council), Sue Wilkinson (CEO, Darebin Shire Council).

The Northern Councils Alliance has met to solidify advocacy efforts ahead of the 2022 Federal and State budget and election cycles.

The Alliance comprises Mayors and Chief Executive Officers of Melbourne’s seven northern councils – Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Mitchell, Moreland, Nillumbik and Whittlesea.

With a Federal Election, State Election, respective budgets, as well as discussions progressing around the North and West City Deal; 2022 represents an unprecedented opportunity for the NCA, said an Alliance representative.

The Councils plan to continue to collaborate and advocate around key projects with region wide benefits that can help build a more sustainable, resilient and prosperous region.

As outlined in the North-West City Deal, and through the Northern Horizons Strategy, some of key region wide projects that continue to welcome investment include:

• Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal (Mitchell)
• Broadmeadows Revitalisation (Hume)
• MFix (Epping Innovation and Food Export Hub) (Whittlesea)
• Eltham Station Redevelopment (Nillumbik)
• Brunswick Design District (Moreland)
• Greensborough Station Redevelopment (Banyule)
• Tram Route 86 Extension (Darebin and Whittlesea)
• Suburban Rail Loop (via Banyule, Darebin and Moreland)
• Various investments in public transport for bus networking and rail infrastructure such as the Upfield Line extension and Wollert Rail Extension.
• Greening the North and Northern Cultural Trails.

Significantly more funds are required to help build a stronger north over the coming years, says the Alliance.

“As a region that has experienced the brunt of the health, wellbeing and economic consequences associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic, the NCA reaffirmed the various key projects and initiatives, that with Federal and State Government investment, can act as the catalysts to ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts across the north and which can create new job and socio-economic outcomes for the entire region.

The municipalities of Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Mitchell, Moreland, Nillumbik and Whittlesea are home to over one million people, accounting for over 20 per cent of Melbourne’s total population and is forecast to reach 1.5 million people by 2036.

“The north has a long and proud history of carrying Melbourne’s prosperity through its workforce, ingenuity and resilience, and has always punched above its weight in terms of economic and social output.

“Home to approx. 360,000 local jobs, 75,000 local businesses, producing over $40 billion worth of goods and services which continue to grow at 4.7 per cent per annum, Melbourne’s north can continue to solidify itself as a sustainable jobs hub for Melbourne and Victoria, through Federal and State support over the course of 2022 towards the priority projects, initiatives and programs the region has collectively identified.

In addition to the North West City Deal and advocacy priorities, the NCA also discussed a number of region wide initiatives it has been collaborating on, including:

• Regional Strategic Transport Plan
• Greening the North Strategy
• Electric Vehicles Infrastructure Strategy
• Supporting Mental Health and Preventing Family Violence
• The expansion of the Inclusive Employment Program

The NCA says it looks forward to engaging with Federal and State Governments, in partnership with organisations from across the region, to help secure new commitments and investments for the region that can have a lasting positive impact.